Guymon Convention and Tourism Bureau: 580.338.5838 ext. 227, www.guymonok.com, Guymon@guymonok.com. Address: 216 NW 4th Street, Guymon. Directions: At intersection of Hwy 412 and SH 136, turn west onto NW 4th Street.

What to Expect: Surrounded by the well-mowed lawn look of the shortgrass prairie and center pivot irrigation you can be find playa lakes. Playa Lakes are on off the most important and unique wetlands people have never heard about. Playa lakes, (shallow, usually round basins with clay floors) lie in the lowest points of watersheds and hold water only after rainfall or runoff from the surrounding prairie. Playa's natural wet-dry cycles support a diverse plant community as well as specialized plankton and aquatic insects. These high levels of productivity make playas vital wintering and stop over places for migrating waterfowl and shorebirds such as long-billed curlews, greater yellowlegs, black-necked stilts, and American avocets. When you travel the Playa Lake loop you will experience a wetland-type incredibly unique- 95% of the world's playa lakes are in the western Great Plains! Prairie dog towns are also located within this loop support a unique set of wildlife species including burrowing owls, badgers, swift fox, and ferruginous hawks. On the southern edge of the loop is a captivating view from the dam of Optima Lake and the wildlife using this very shallow lake. Learn more about playas at www.pljv.org

Lodging: Guymon: (10) motels, www.guymonok.com, 580.338.5838; (2) RV parks; (1) B&B, www.thewillowsinn.net  580.338.1303. Hooker: (2) motels, www.hookerok.com (2) lodges - www.pheasantridgehunting.com, 866.486.8637; The Bunk House, todd@ptsi.net, 580.778.3697. Hardesty: (1) RV Park, 580.888.4226.

Special Note:
- As rainfall events occur infrequently in this area, please contact the Optima Wildlife Management Area biologist at 806.339.5175.

- Be aware that cellular phone signal availability is limited within this Loop.

One-Day Outings: Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy lunch at any of the local cafes.

Playa Lake Route: This loop is approximately 75 miles long and begins on Hwy 136 north out of Guymon. Continue north to Hwy 7 and drive east (approximately 9 miles) to the first stop, McKinley Playa (2-2). Head east into Hooker to the next stop south of Hooker on Hwy 94, Balzar Playa (2-3). Continue south to Optima National Wildlife Refuge (2-5) and hike along Coldwater Creek to enjoy the sights and sounds of nature - including orioles, woodpeckers, and nesting Red-tailed hawks. Go east on Hwy 412 to Optima Lake (2-6) for an overview of the "lake. Follow the Wildlife Trail signs and take the paved road north to Hwy 64 and go east for playas Off the Beaten Trail: Travel east of Hooker to county road (NS57). Travel south 1 mile, turn east and follow signs to the Lunceford Playa (2-10). Travel east 1.3 miles to Flynt Playa (2-10). Go left on next road and view the prairie dog town beside Hwy 64. Travel west to road (NS58). Go north 4 miles then turn west one mile to the Old Railroad Crossing (2-11). Walk the old railroad right-of-way overlooking a Laverrase Playa.

Optima Lake (2-6): Pack a picnic lunch before visiting this unusual Lake. Low-water levels have kept this impoundment from becoming a lake but it has become instead an outstanding wetland and very important for migrating shorebirds and wintering waterfowl. It is fairly common to observe Peregrine falcons accompanying migrating shorebirds. The road and parking areas along the Optima Lake (2-6) provide an excellent overview of this wetland. Optima Wildlife Management Area (2-4) covers over 8,000 acres of sagebrush, buffalo grass, sandplum thickets, mixed-grass prairies and cottonwood trees. This is an excellent place to observe "horny toads" (Texas horned lizard). The many gravel roads within the WMA will take the visitor to different access points. Caution: After a rain these roads can be difficult to drive. Optima National Wildlife Refuge (2-5) provides bottomland hardwoods and prairie grasslands which support white-tailed deer, coyotes, Rio Grande turkey, many raptors, black-tailed jackrabbits and porcupines. Please Note: there are no restrooms on Optima Lake.

Sunset Lake & Game Reserve (2-1): Pack a picnic and spend the day relaxing at this exceptional park, maintained by the city of Guymon. Named for its view of beautiful sunsets, the 32-acre lake offers a 1 mile concrete walking trail around the lake through a diversity of trees and shrubs which provide an oasis for songbirds. Fishing in winter for trout and year-round for catfish is exceptional. Fishing licenses can be purchased at City Hall and other locations in Guymon (580.338.5838). Just north of the Lake across the dam is the Wild Game Reserve. Drive around the enclosure around the Reserve to view bison, prairie dogs, elk and exotic wildlife.

Birding Routes:

If playas are currently holding water, we recommend the Playa Lake one-day outing (see above).

If playas are dry, we recommend starting your birding day using the Optima Lake one-day outing. Plan on being on Optima Lake (2-6) at daybreak to overlook the wetland. After birding Optima, make your next stop Shultz Wildlife Management Area (2-7). This is a walk-in only WMA which offers creek-side habitat, mixed-grass and shortgrass prairies, and sandplum thickets.

Guest Ranches:
Pheasant Ridge (2-8) is a 2,000-acre working farm and ranch which will transport a visitor back to the old west setting including bison. This premier hunting lodge offers spectacular lodging (accommodates 18) and great food along with wildlife watching and a quality hunting experience. Contact: 866.486.8637, www.pheasantridgehunting.com.

Flynt Farms Upland Hunting (2-12) is 3,400 acres of diverse terrain of grain fields, both irrigated and dry land, CRP grassland, tree rows, playa bottoms, and more than 10 years of wildlife shrub and tree plantings. This farm offers excellent wildlife watching opportunities and hunting experiences. Contact: 580.778.3556, www.flyntfarms.com.

High Plains Hunting and The Bunkhouse (2-13) is a working farm located in the middle of agricultural fields, CRP grassland, and shortgrass prairie. The lodge offers lodging (sleeps 13) with complete amenities, walking trails, camping and pheasant hunting opportunities. Contact: 580.778.3697.