Longtown is a rural community on Eufaula Lake with plenty to do
Longtown residents are all about the water. The community sits on Eufaula Lake, a section of the Canadian River, and people take full advantage of the area’s outdoor excursions. “A lot of people from bigger cities have lake homes there, but there’s also quite a few permanent residents,” says Bethany Kreutzer, a Realtor with Re/Max Advantage. While residents are there to soak up the rays, the community is also close to popular restaurants and state parks. Across the lake, Eufaula has plenty of shopping and hosts several festivals.
Fishing, boating and swimming at Eufaula Lake
Eufaula Lake is a popular spot for anglers looking to catch crappie, catfish and bass. Many nearby campgrounds sit along its shores, including Highway 9 Landing, which has a boat ramp and a designated swimming area. There is also a public boat ramp on Kiamichi Road. More adventurous swimmers can head to Piney Cliff, where people often jump off limestone ledges into the water. Sissy Beach, accessible by boat, has white sand and is a common spot for parties and other gatherings. The Carlton Landing Scenic Overlook gives a wide-ranging view of the area and has chairs for relaxing. Nearby, Arrowhead State Park is home to hiking, kayaking, biking and horseback riding. It also contains Arrowhead State Park Golf Course, which takes public tee times for its 18 holes.
Waterfront New Traditional homes and log cabins that vary in price
New Traditional homes can range from $440,000 to $1 million, and several come with waterfront views or boat docks. Older traditional houses and log cabins often run from $175,000 to $415,000, and manufactured homes usually go from $45,000 to $160,000. Some of the area’s houses are part of Carlton Landing, a master-planned resort town with restaurants, shops and a marina. Others are in Dixie Point, a gated community with no HOA fees. The area’s residential asphalt roads are narrow and rarely have sidewalks. While some have a view of the lake, others are surrounded by open fields. Yards tend to have trees but few bushes or other plants.
The two-day Whole Hawg Days festival in Eufaula is a hit
Eufaula hosts the two-day Whole Hawg Days festival each summer. The event combines a cook-off, a car show, a parade, a rodeo and the Whole Hawg Poker Run, where participants sprint to gather poker cards scattered throughout the area to create the best hand. The lake often holds fishing tournaments like the Crappie Masters National Championship. Carlton Landing throws community events throughout the year, including pop-up shops, live performances and family movie nights.
Top-rated pizza, Mexican food and a 1950s-style diner are close by
Many area restaurants are found along Oklahoma State Highway 9 and in Carlton Landing. Mama Tig’s Wood Fired Pizza bakes pies based on a family recipe. It was named the best pizza in the state by readers of Oklahoma Living magazine in 2025. Los Arcos is a sit-down Mexican restaurant near the water. The Landing Cafe serves American classics for breakfast and lunch. More restaurants sit across the lake in Eufaula, like the Boomarang Diner, which has fed the community for more than 25 years in a 1950s-inspired space. The region has a DG Market. Sonny’s Grocery & Market and Dollar General are in Eufaula, as are several churches.
Most kids attend Canadian Public Schools
Most students are zoned for Canadian Public Schools, which holds an overall B-minus Niche score. Those in kindergarten through eighth grade can attend Canadian Elementary School, which receives a B. Canadian High School offers Advanced Placement classes and earns a C-plus grade. Quinton Public Schools, which has an overall C-plus rating, serves a small number of students in the eastern part of the region. The Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit program sends a refundable credit to families with students enrolled in nonpublic schools. Private school students receive $5,000 to $7,500, while homeschooled children get $1,000. Lakewood Christian School, around 30 miles away in McAlester, gets a B-plus score.
Access to U.S. Route 69 and McAlester Regional Health Center
U.S. Route 69 and Oklahoma State Highway 9 connect the area to Eufaula across the lake. Tulsa is nearly 90 miles away, and Oklahoma City is around a 130-mile drive. Fort Smith Regional Airport, close to 70 miles away, offers connecting flights through Dallas Fort Worth International Airport. For more direct flights, residents can visit Tulsa International Airport, nearly 90 miles away. McAlester Regional Health Center is about a 30-mile drive and has more than 140 beds. Kreutzer says the area does not get as many tornadoes and severe storms as other parts of the state.
