Frank and Wilson Trails (Keystone Ancient Forest) Hiking Guide

The Frank Trail is the most popular walk in Keystone Ancient Forest: a stone-and-dirt path that leaves the paved Childers loop, climbs a set of switchbacks and ends at a view over the Arkansas River basin. The Wilson Trail carries on past it for hikers who want rougher ground. Together they make an outing of about an hour and a half (AllTrails' average) on the edge of Sand Springs.

no permit neededno dogs
Difficulty
moderate
Distance
3.7 mi
Elevation gain
387 ft
Trailhead
Sand Springs
overlook of the Arkansas River basin that Washington Irving passed in 1832switchbacks through ancient post oak and cedaroptional rugged Wilson Trail extensionpaved, accessible Childers Trail loop at the start
springfallwinter

How Far

Sand Springs puts the Frank Trail at about 2.8 miles round trip and about an hour of walking; its map lists Frank at 1.4 miles one way and Wilson at another mile. AllTrails maps the Childers, Frank and Wilson combination at about 3.7 miles with 387 feet of gain; another AllTrails listing gives 4 miles and 383 feet. This page uses 3.7 miles. Skip Wilson and you are back near the city's 2.8.

Route Notes

Start on the Childers Trail, a 0.6-mile paved loop beside the parking lot that is the preserve's accessible route. The Frank Trail branches off it on a surface of compacted stone and bare soil. About 400 yards in, a set of switchbacks brings the steepest climbing of the walk. The city rates Frank moderately difficult and Wilson difficult: it is still being improved, and the city warns of steep slopes, poor footing and drop-offs serious enough to kill. Keep children close on that stretch.

Washington Irving's View

The Frank Trail ends at a wide view over the Arkansas River basin. The city notes that Washington Irving, author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, passed by here in October 1832 with roughly 100 army scouts, a trip he wrote up in A Tour on the Prairies. Around you are the preserve's cross timbers: cedars that started growing about 500 years ago and post oaks some 300 years old.

Practical Details

Keystone Ancient Forest is open Thursday 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Friday to Sunday 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; there is no entry fee. On a busy morning more than 150 hikers can turn up, and the city asks drivers to park wherever trail guides direct them. Dogs come only on the city's pet-friendly weekends (the first full and third weekends of the month), leashed at 6 feet, with waste bags provided. TravelOK states the dog days as the first Saturday and third Sunday instead.

Best Seasons

Spring and fall are the easy picks for a climb on stone and bare soil, and a mild winter weekend works too, since the forest stays open Thursday through Sunday year-round. Spring and summer bring butterflies; the city counts more than 80 species in the preserve and is developing a butterfly savanna.

Hiking tips for Frank and Wilson Trails (Keystone Ancient Forest)

  • Turn back at the Frank overlook if anyone in the group is unsteady; Wilson is rougher.
  • Take the switchbacks slowly; they are the steepest part of the Frank Trail.
  • Arrive early on Saturdays, when the lot overflows.
  • Check the city's pet-friendly weekend dates before bringing a dog.
  • Use the paved Childers loop for anyone who can't do the climb.

Nearby trails to explore

  • Falls Trail (Keystone Ancient Forest)
  • Bixhoma Lake Trail
  • North Woods Loop (Oxley Nature Center)

Hike this trail with TrailMates

The Frank Trail is an easy hike to share with newer hikers, and the Wilson add-on gives faster walkers something extra. Post a Keystone Ancient Forest morning in TrailMates, settle who carpools from Tulsa in the event's group chat, and regroup at the river overlook. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.