Local Guide · Salina, Oklahoma · Lake Hudson
Things to Do in Salina, Oklahoma
Salina sits about 9 miles east of Pryor on OK-20, roughly 12 minutes from town, right on the eastern bank of Lake Hudson and the Grand River. It is a small, unhurried lake town that makes an easy outing from Pryor or Tulsa, with a handful of genuinely local places to eat and Lake Hudson right outside the door. I'm Kimm Kennon, a local REALTOR® and Broker Associate here in Mayes County, and this is my guide to what makes Salina worth the drive.
Written by Kimm Kennon, Broker Associate & REALTOR® with Lakeland Real Estate NEOK
REALTOR® since 2007 · GRI & CRS · Lake Hudson, Pryor, Mayes County & Northeast Oklahoma
Eat Local
Salina & Lake Hudson Restaurants
Several longtime local favorites cluster along Ferry Street, Salina's main street. These are the spots locals actually go: small rooms, loyal crowds, and food worth the drive. Festival or holiday weekends can change things up, so verify before you head out.
Jandy's Coffee Co.
Coffee and breakfast spot, and the friendly morning caffeine stop in downtown Salina. Grab a cup before you wander Ferry Street.
108 E Ferry St, Salina
Typically weekdays 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and Saturday mornings 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Norm's Cafe
Home-style American cooking with barbecue and steakhouse touches, a small-town cafe with a loyal crowd.
206 W Ferry St, Salina
Hours vary by day; typically opens at 7 a.m., closes between 2 p.m. and 8:30 p.m., Sundays 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Los Cocos Mexican Restaurant
A longtime Salina favorite for Mexican food and sizzling fajitas, with generous plates and a welcoming room.
122 W Ferry St, Salina
Typically open daily 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Dairy Deal
Old-fashioned drive-in for burgers, onion rings and shakes, a local staple that has been at it for years.
211 E Ferry St, Salina
Typically Mon-Thu 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Fri-Sat 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sun 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Pig-N-Out
Drive-in burgers, crispy fries and generous servings, a popular quick stop. It sits at the west end of Ferry Street, so it is best reached by car.
303 W Ferry St, Salina
Typically open daily 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Iron Horse Landing Resort and Marina
A lakeside marina on Lake Hudson with Baby Rays Lakeside Eatery, boat and tube rentals, live music and lakeside cocktails. Hochzeit weekend hours can vary, so check ahead.
142 Holiday Village Rd, Salina
The Rusty Anchor Smokehouse
Smoked meats and barbecue. Technically on the Pryor side, but a short drive from Salina and a local favorite worth the trip.
98 Lakeland Dr, Pryor
Closed Mondays; typically Tue-Sat 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sun 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Jandy's, Norm's, Los Cocos and Dairy Deal are all within a short stroll of one another along Ferry Street, so you can park once and walk between them. Pig-N-Out, Iron Horse Landing and the Rusty Anchor are best reached by car.
The Lake
Lake Hudson: 12,000 Acres of Water Right Outside Town
Lake Hudson is a 12,000-acre reservoir on the Grand River between Pryor and Salina, with roughly 200 miles of shoreline. It is rated among Oklahoma's top bass-fishing lakes, home to hybrid striper and the famous paddlefish snagging, and it offers six public boat launches plus camping and RV sites around the lake. Boating, fishing, water sports and quiet coves, all a few minutes from downtown Salina.
I've written the complete guide to living on Lake Hudson, covering recreation, seasons, and what everyday life on the water really looks like.
Cool Off
Blue Hole Park
Blue Hole is a spring-fed swimming hole about 7 miles east of Salina, clear and cold year-round. It is open seasonally, roughly Memorial Day through Labor Day, and it is a family favorite: shallow water for the kids, shaded banks, a concession stand and camping. Alcohol is prohibited, and there is a per-vehicle entry fee.
Pack the cooler, the sunscreen and the kids, and make an afternoon of it. Seasonal openings and fees are set by the managing agencies, so check current hours before you go.
Race Night
Salina Highbanks Speedway
This 3/8-mile, high-banked clay dirt track sits at 3164 E Highway 20 between Pryor and Salina, and its 22-degree banking has earned it a reputation as the fastest speedway in Oklahoma. Weekly stock car racing runs on Saturday nights, plus special events through the season, with the on-site Finish Line Restaurant serving the crowd.
Racing schedules are seasonal, so check the current event lineup before you head out.
On race nights, Highbanks brings the whole county out. Bring ear protection and arrive early for a good seat.
Base Camp
Snowdale State Park
Snowdale is a small lakeside state park about a mile west of Salina on Highway 20, right on the shore of Lake Hudson. It is a good base camp for a Lake Hudson weekend: camping, a boat ramp, fishing for bass, catfish, perch and crappie, and plenty of room for a picnic.
It is close enough to town that you can grab dinner on Ferry Street after a day on the water.
Downtown
Ferry Street & Downtown Salina
Ferry Street is the heart of Salina, where most of the local restaurants sit. It is a pleasant small-town main street worth wandering on foot. Salina Park is right there, and the one-of-a-kind Rural Oklahoma Museum of Poetry, celebrating poetry and rural life, is a stop you will not find anywhere else.
Keep it simple: park once, wander, and let the town set the pace.
On the Water
Fishing & Boating on Lake Hudson
Bass and hybrid striper fishing draw anglers from all over, and paddlefish snagging in season brings its own crowd. Boating, water sports, and six public launches around the lake keep the weekends busy, and there is usually a quiet cove with your name on it.
GRDA manages the lake, and the shoreline and taking line rules matter for lake property. My Lake Hudson buyer guide walks through what to check before you buy on the water.
Kimm Kennon · Broker Associate
Thinking About Staying?
Thinking About Salina or Lake Hudson Living?
Maybe you came for a weekend on the water and did not want to leave. Maybe you are eyeing a house on Ferry Street or a lot with a boat ramp. Whether it is a home in town, lakefront property, a few acres, or a big ol' shop, I can help.
I'm Kimm Kennon, Broker Associate with Lakeland Real Estate NEOK and a REALTOR® since 2007, serving Salina, Pryor, Lake Hudson and all of Mayes County. I know this water and this land, and I'd love to help you find your spot on it. Call me at 918-864-4922 or email kimm_lakeland@yahoo.com.
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Come see Salina. It grows on you.