Wagoner County sits on the eastern side of the Tulsa metropolitan area and extends toward the river-and-lake country around Wagoner and Fort Gibson Lake. Coweta is the strongest western settlement on the supplied maps, Wagoner anchors the eastern half, and smaller communities such as Porter, Okay, Tullahassee, and Redbird are spread across the south. The county becomes much easier to understand when its roads are read together with the Verdigris River, the Neosho River, and the Arkansas River rather than as a simple grid of towns. High-resolution map files are available for download in the section below.
This page combines four views of the same county: a general orientation map, a ranked settlement map, a terrain-and-water map, and an elevation map. The high-resolution JPG originals shown in the article can also be downloaded together in one ZIP farther down the page, which is useful for print, classroom materials, reports, and larger screen layouts. These maps are for general geographic reference and should not replace parcel records, legal boundary surveys, flood determinations, engineering measurements, or live road information.
Table of Contents
Coweta and Wagoner as the two clearest anchors on the county map
The general map is easiest to read by locating Coweta in the west and Wagoner farther east. State Highway 51 links those two centers across the middle of the county. At Wagoner, U.S. 69 continues south while State Highway 2 runs north, creating a practical north-south reference for the eastern half. Once those routes are identified, the positions of Porter, Tullahassee, Okay, and the lake-side localities east of Wagoner become much easier to place.
The western edge has a clear metropolitan influence. Coweta lies close to the Broken Arrow side of the Tulsa region, and developed areas appear more concentrated there than in much of the county’s south. Moving east toward Wagoner, the landscape opens into broader creek valleys and rural areas before reaching another concentrated settlement. That separation gives Wagoner County two different urban reference points instead of one single center surrounded by evenly spaced towns.
South of the Coweta–Wagoner line, the map becomes more rural. Porter lies toward the southwest-central area, Redbird is farther west, Tullahassee sits in the south-central part, and Okay is closer to the eastern side. Their spacing matters because the southern half cannot be summarized by one highway corridor. Small creeks, the Verdigris lowland, and the Arkansas River near the southern boundary all influence how roads and settlements are arranged.
East of Wagoner, Taylor Ferry and Whitehorn Cove appear close to a deeply indented water body. Those shorelines make the county outline more complex and can also make straight-line proximity misleading: two places that look close across water may require a longer road route. Use the general map to understand the broad layout, but rely on current navigation and road-agency information for actual driving, closures, bridge restrictions, or access conditions.
A settlement pattern dominated by Coweta and Wagoner
The ranked settlement map places Coweta first with a map comparison value of 10,433 and Wagoner second at 8,062. Porter follows at 623, Okay at 408, Tullahassee at 152, and Redbird at 103. These figures are best treated as the values used to build this particular map rather than as a guarantee of the latest official population count. For current demographic statistics, consult the U.S. Census Bureau separately.
The large gap between the first two places and the remaining four is visually important. Coweta functions as the main western center close to the Tulsa metro edge, while Wagoner serves as the strongest center farther east. The rest of the mapped communities are much smaller and lie across the southern half of the county. That arrangement produces a county with two prominent town centers and a much more dispersed rural south.
Porter, Redbird, Tullahassee, and Okay are not lined up along one simple road. Porter is southeast of Coweta, Redbird lies farther west, Tullahassee is south-central, and Okay occupies a more easterly position. Looking at the settlement map together with the water map explains part of that spacing: the southern county is cut by many tributaries and approaches the Arkansas River, while the east is also shaped by the Neosho and reservoir shoreline.
This ranked view is useful when the goal is to compare location and relative prominence without the visual clutter of the full road network. It is less useful for planning a drive because it intentionally simplifies the transportation background. For that task, the general county map should be used alongside an up-to-date navigation service.
State Highway 51 and U.S. 69 provide the simplest road framework
State Highway 51 gives the county its clearest east-west reference by running between Coweta and Wagoner. It crosses a broad central area filled with small streams and provides an easy way to compare the western metro-facing side with the more rural interior. On a first reading of the map, following this route is more informative than trying to memorize every local road.
U.S. 69 becomes the dominant reference south of Wagoner, continuing toward the lower part of the county near Okay and the southern boundary. North of Wagoner, State Highway 2 offers another vertical route. Together, these roads give the eastern half a recognizable north-south structure, while Coweta’s side has a denser set of connections leading toward Broken Arrow and the Tulsa metropolitan area.
The road pattern also reflects the county’s water geography. Numerous creeks cross the central and southern sections, and the eastern shoreline creates places where a direct line on the map is not a direct driving route. A static county map is excellent for orientation, but construction, pavement conditions, bridge access, and temporary closures can change. Check current Oklahoma transportation information and navigation data before traveling on unfamiliar rural roads.
Verdigris, Neosho, and Arkansas waters shape the county
The Verdigris River is the central organizing waterway on the terrain-and-water map. It enters from the north and continues through the county toward the south, with tributaries feeding into its lowland from both sides. Billy Creek is labeled east of the river, while several smaller channels cross the middle of the county. The broad green corridor visible on the elevation map follows much of this river-and-creek system.
The eastern side is dominated by the Neosho River and the large, branching water area associated with Fort Gibson Lake. The official City of Wagoner information page describes Wagoner as being close to Fort Gibson Lake, and the supplied map shows why the lake is such a strong geographic reference: long arms of water extend into the eastern county and create a highly irregular shoreline. Whitehorn Cove and Taylor Ferry appear near this water-oriented side of the county.
The Arkansas River traces the southern edge in a long bend, adding another major river environment to the county. Adams Creek and Concharty Creek are labeled in the west, Coal Creek and Five Creek appear farther inward, and Billy Creek is a prominent eastern tributary. The map also labels Newt Graham Lake, Little Long Lake, Flagg Lake, Long Lake, and Vans Lake. These smaller water bodies help distinguish local areas that can look similar on a road-only map.
This map should be read as a geographic water reference, not as a flood map or navigation chart. It does not establish floodplain limits, current water level, water quality, boating access, channel depth, or dam and levee safety. For flood or water-resource decisions, use the latest material from USGS, FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, or the appropriate local authority.
Elevation ranges from about 149 to 302 meters
The elevation legend reports an actual county range of about 149 to 302 meters, with a mean near 184 meters. The lowest broad terrain appears through the center and south where the Verdigris River and connected drainage corridors occupy the landscape. The Arkansas River margin is also relatively low. These green lowlands form a visual passage between higher areas on the west and east.
Western Wagoner County rises sharply in places. The terrain west and northwest of Coweta includes yellow, orange, and locally darker ridges that stand above the central river lowland. The contrast is useful because the western side may be associated first with suburban growth near Broken Arrow, yet the elevation map shows that the land remains strongly rolling rather than uniformly flat.
Higher terrain also appears along parts of the eastern and northeastern edge. Around the large water system, ridges and coves alternate over short distances, creating more relief than the central green corridor. This explains why the eastern shoreline has a complex shape and why local roads may curve around slopes and water rather than following straight lines.
The colors are scaled to highlight variation within Wagoner County, so the same color on another county map should not automatically be interpreted as the same elevation. Read the meter legend whenever an actual height matters. The surface is also generalized for county-scale visualization and is not precise enough for parcel surveying, drainage design, construction grades, or engineering work.
Why the west, center, and east feel different on the same map
The western side is defined by Coweta, the Broken Arrow-facing metro edge, and noticeably higher rolling ground. Following State Highway 51 east from Coweta carries the reader away from that metropolitan edge and toward the broad central lowland. The shift is easy to miss on a simple road map, but it becomes clear when the road network is compared with the elevation colors.
The central section is more strongly shaped by the Verdigris River and its tributaries. Settlement density is lower between the two largest towns, and waterways become more visually dominant. This middle corridor ties together the county’s northern and southern drainage while also creating a natural separation between the western uplands and the eastern lake country.
East of Wagoner, the character changes again as the Neosho River and Fort Gibson Lake shoreline become major geographic features. Wagoner, Whitehorn Cove, Taylor Ferry, and Okay can be understood more clearly when the water boundary is visible. A road-only view shows connections, but the water and elevation maps explain why the eastern county contains coves, narrow land passages, and routes that bend around the shoreline.
Using the maps for print, teaching, and local orientation
For a broad introduction to the county, the general map is the best starting point because it keeps place names, roads, boundaries, and nearby context together. Locate Coweta and Wagoner first, then follow State Highway 51, U.S. 69, and State Highway 2 to build a mental framework. This is also the most useful version when explaining where the smaller southern communities sit relative to the two main centers.
The ranked settlement map is better when the subject is relative prominence and spacing. The terrain-and-water map is the strongest choice for the Verdigris River, Neosho River, Arkansas River, named creeks, and lakes. The elevation map adds the final layer by showing that central river lowlands sit between higher western and eastern terrain. Used together, the maps provide a fuller picture without treating any one view as a survey-grade product.
For printing or large presentation layouts, use the high-resolution JPG originals instead of enlarging the web previews. Each file is 3638 × 2572 pixels, which helps preserve small labels, stream names, road numbers, and the elevation legend. Keep the original aspect ratio when resizing, and when cropping around a specific town leave enough nearby road or water context for the location to remain understandable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which map is best for locating Coweta and Wagoner together?
Start with the general county map. Coweta is in the west and Wagoner is farther east, with State Highway 51 providing the clearest connection between them. U.S. 69 runs south from Wagoner and State Highway 2 runs north, making the eastern half easier to orient.
Where can I see the Verdigris River and Fort Gibson Lake area most clearly?
Use the terrain-and-water map. It shows the Verdigris River through the center, the Neosho River and branching eastern water area associated with Fort Gibson Lake, the Arkansas River along the south, and smaller features such as Adams Creek, Billy Creek, Newt Graham Lake, and Vans Lake.
What elevation range is shown for Wagoner County?
The elevation legend reports an actual range of about 149 to 302 meters and a mean near 184 meters. The central Verdigris and southern river lowlands are generally lower, while higher ridges appear west of Coweta and along parts of the eastern edge. The map is intended for county-scale comparison, not surveying or engineering design.
Map File Information
The four high-resolution JPG originals used in this Wagoner County article are provided together in one ZIP file. The larger images are useful for print and document layouts where settlement names, road numbers, creek labels, and the elevation legend need to remain readable.
- Included Files: general county map, ranked settlement map, terrain-and-water map, and elevation map
- Printable Size: 3638 × 2572 px each
- File Type: JPG
Related Maps
Sources and reference links
- Wagoner County official website — official county administration and local information.
- City of Wagoner — About Wagoner — official local overview describing Wagoner and its proximity to Fort Gibson Lake.
- U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line Shapefiles — official geographic data for county boundaries, roads, and related features.
- USGS National Hydrography — national reference data for rivers, streams, and water bodies.
- USGS 3D Elevation Program — official source for elevation and terrain data.
Green Map creates custom-edited map images using open geographic data sources such as geoBoundaries, Natural Earth, OpenStreetMap, and government open data. These maps are edited visual materials, not raw data files, and are provided for education, documents, presentations, and graphic reference.
