City of Tulsa

City, River Parks Share Guide to Zink Lake Ahead of Opening Weekend

8/26/2024

This article was archived on 10/4/2024

City Provides Detailed Information on Access Points, Parking, and Opening Weekend Celebrations

Starting Friday afternoon, Zink Lake, Tulsa Wave Park, and the Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge will open to the public.

The City of Tulsa and River Parks Authority – the operator for Zink Lake and Tulsa Wave Park - want to ensure residents and visitors have the latest information on how to use and access the new amenities at Zink Lake.

Big Dam Party, August 30-Sept. 2
The opening weekend celebration begins Friday afternoon with the kickoff of the Big Dam Party event spearheaded by Visit Tulsa. Big Dam Party festivities include opening ceremonies, a bridge parade, rowing regattas, food trucks and art competitions, the return of the Great Raft Race, performances from major artists like HANSON, and more.

Following opening ceremonies and a parade across the bridge, all amenities will open to the public after 4 p.m.

Find schedules and more information about activities at www.bigdamparty.com.

Parking
Zink Lake parking is available on the east and west banks. Across the 2.5-mile stretch of Zink Lake, there are 816 total parking spots available during normal operations. This weekend during opening celebrations, a special shuttle service will run from various locations. More information about Big Dam Party parking, shuttles, and other FAQs can be found at www.bigdamparty.com.

Zink Lake
With four (4) formal entry points and various access points, enthusiasts can access Zink Lake for kayaking, canoeing, rowing, stand-up paddleboard use, fishing, and individual watercraft rentals. Individual watercraft rental information will be made available at www.zinklakerentals.com.

In the future, there will be additional opportunities for events and planned activities around sailboat racing, rowing events, the Great Raft Race, and more.

Zink Lake is a no swimming or wading lake and a no-wake zone lake. No use of combustion engines on watercraft are allowed. More rules and regulations can be found on physical signage and online at www.tulsazinklake.com.

Tulsa Wave Park
With seven play zones and two access points (from Zink Lake itself and from the east bank trail system), users can kayak, surf, and tube-float at Tulsa Wave Park. Tulsa Wave Park hours are anticipated from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily during the operating season. There are currently no equipment rentals at Tulsa Wave Park. Tulsa Wave Park is located just south of Zink Dam next to Williams Crossing.

Play zones vary in intensity and skill level. The first (Zone 1) is located closest to Zink Dam and is the most challenging. Subsequent zones decrease in intensity the further you get from the first. While users can certainly start in Zone 1 and go all the way down to Zone 7, each play zone is meant to be recreated in independently of the others.

Zone 1
This zone has two entrance gates that are adjustable to surf, tube, or kayak. This zone can be an entrance into all other zones.
Zone 2
This zone is smaller, with lower flows and a non-adjustable drop.
Zone 3
This zone is great for surfing, tubing, or kayaking. This zone has an adjustable wave for height or form.
Zone 4
This zone is primarily intended for kayaks and tubers. This zone has an adjustable wave for height or form.
Zones 5, 6, and 7
The last three zones are great for family fun. Tubing could be the primary use in these zones. Users can start in Zone 5 and float all the way to Zone 7, and then get out and walk back to Zone 5 to do it again.

All Tulsa Wave Park operations are managed by the River Parks Authority. Hours, operations and more information about Tulsa Wave Park, in addition to Zink Lake, can be found online at www.tulsazinklake.com.

Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge
With the opening of the new Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge, visitors of River Parks and Gathering Place will now have the shortest (2.5-mile) direct connection to the northern most edge of Turkey Mountain and the expanded 40 miles of soft surface trail via the paved west bank River Parks trail system. Near the bridge, a new and expanded riverfront lawn at Gathering Place connects visitors of USA Today’s Best City Park in 2024 directly to the Arkansas River and Zink Lake.

The bridge can be accessed on the east and west banks of the River Parks trails system.

West Bank Parking, Access, & Amenities

There are two areas along the west bank with amenities for Zink Lake attendees. One is located on the north side of the 23rd Street Bridge, and the second is located on the south side of the 23rd Street Bridge. Both areas are connected by the River Parks trail system.
North of the 23rd Street Bridge
400 parking spaces (aka Oktoberfest grounds)
Kayak launch
River West Festival Cove entry point (north of the parking lot)
This area offers a second entry point and watercraft ramp location just north of the parking lot for watercrafts to go into Zink Lake
The water here is calmer, offering a spot for novice users or those looking to practice
Individual watercraft rentals are also offered at this location

South of the 23rd Street Bridge

222 parking spaces
A kayak launch accessible from a concrete walkway connected to the parking lot and River Parks trails
Two Portland Loo restrooms
New sitting benches, a new water fountain with a water bottle filler, bike racks, and trash cans

East Bank Parking, Access, & Amenities

Cyrus Avery Memorial Plaza (near Riverside Dr. and S. Lawton Ave.)
60 parking spaces

Near 19th and Riverside

134 parking spaces
Renovated restrooms
Watercraft access point for Zink Lake
COMING SOON: Later this fall, an accessible boat dock will be installed at this location
COMING SOON: Later this fall, the Zink Lake Overlook will reopen, which will be home to visitors looking for a spot to take pictures and view the new murals from 10 local artists

Near Williams Crossing Pedestrian Bridge

The Tulsa Wave Park is located next to Williams Crossing, and serves as a direct entry point for kayakers and others wanting to use the flume’s seven play zones

Rules, Regulations, and Water Conditions

Zink Lake water levels can change fast as a result of Keystone Dam water releases. Water condition indicators are updated regularly and viewable online. Only YOU are capable of determining your skill and comfort level for activities on Zink Lake. Please see the attached rules and regulations for Zink Lake Rules, Fishing Rules, and Tulsa Wave Park rules.

About Zink Lake & Williams Crossing
Zink Lake is a 2.5-mile recreational attraction located next to Gathering Place and Tulsa’s new pedestrian bridge, Williams Crossing. Zink Lake is funded through $46 million for Zink Dam, and $2 million for bank stabilization as approved by voters as part of the 2016 Vision Tulsa package. Zink Lake infrastructure and amenities are funded by $5 million as approved by voters in the 2023 Improve Our Tulsa extension. Additional West Bank infrastructure is funded through $350,000 from the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority (TMUA) for water and sewer upgrades, as well as new restrooms, with an additional $190,000 in funding for Stormwater infrastructure.

For more information about Zink Dam and Zink Lake, visit www.cityoftulsa.org/zink. For more information about Zink Lake programming, visit www.tulsazinklake.com.

Williams Crossing, Tulsa’s new pedestrian bridge, is funded by $15 million from the Vision Tulsa sales tax, $9.4 million from other sales taxes, and $3 million in savings from the 2005 and 2008 capital funding packages. The bridge is also funded through a blend of generous donations from Williams, the George Kaiser Family Foundation, ONEOK, and HF Sinclair.