Landscaped grounds and play structures of the Gathering Place park along the Arkansas River in Tulsa — 📷 Paul Sableman / CC BY 2.0

Oklahoma · United States

Cycling in Tulsa

Best season: March–May, September–October

Tulsa’s riding is built around the River Parks Trails — roughly 26 miles of paved path hugging both banks of the Arkansas River. The east-bank trail runs about 11 miles from downtown to the suburb of Jenks, with separated cyclist and pedestrian lanes on the busiest stretch, while the west bank carries you 7 miles south to Turkey Mountain. It’s flat, lighted until the 11 p.m. curfew, and threaded past the Gathering Place, Tulsa’s showpiece riverfront park (stick to the Midland Valley and Riverside trails through the park — the only routes where bikes are allowed).

There’s real variety here for one city. Cruisers can loop the river and roll the ~3-mile Midland Valley Trail connector back toward downtown; mountain bikers cross the river to Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness, 20-plus miles of natural-surface singletrack rising straight off the west-bank trail. Tulsa Bicycle Tours runs guided history rides — downtown, Riverside, and a Route 66 option — that start from your hotel with bike and helmet included.

You don’t need to bring a bike, but plan ahead: Tulsa’s bike share shut down in 2024, so rentals now run through Tom’s Bicycles, sitting trail-side in River Parks with helmets included on every rental, or Cloud of Goods, which delivers bikes to your hotel. Several hotels — from the Ambassador’s bikes-and-picnic package downtown to the Marriott Southern Hills’ partnership with Tom’s — advertise guest bikes; confirm details when you book, since programs change.

Spring and fall are prime. Summer works too, but Oklahoma heat pushes into the upper 90s — start early, and call ahead for Turkey Mountain rentals, since Tom’s pulls its mountain bikes when the dirt is muddy.

Weather in Tulsa

Live · NWS

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Typical by month

avg high/low · 1991–2020 normals · TULSA INTL AIRPORT

Jan 49° 28° 1.6"
Feb 54° 32° 1.6"
Mar 63° 41° 3.1"
Apr 72° 50° 4.4"
May 80° 60° 5.7"
Jun 88° 69° 4.7"
Jul 94° 73° 3.8"
Aug 93° 72° 3.4"
Sep 85° 63° 3.9"
Oct 74° 51° 3.8"
Nov 61° 39° 2.7"
Dec 51° 31° 2.4"

Bike-friendly hotels

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Free guest bikes Call to confirm

Ambassador Hotel Tulsa, Autograph Collection

Historic 1920s boutique hotel in downtown Tulsa whose 'Explore Tulsa' package includes two complimentary bicycles and a picnic lunch for riding the Arkansas River trails.

Before you book: Confirm the Explore Tulsa package (2 bikes + picnic) is still offered in 2026, whether bikes are available outside the package, and helmet/waiver details.

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