Shopping for Outdoor Gear at Cabela's on West Memorial Road
Cabela's on West Memorial Road positions itself as Oklahoma City's primary destination for hunting, fishing, and camping equipment within a single, large-format retail environment. This guide covers what you'll find there, how it compares to alternative outdoor retail options in the metro area, and practical considerations for planning a visit.
Location and Access
The West Memorial Road location sits in northwest Oklahoma City, roughly between the Edmond border and Lake Hefner. This placement matters for retail strategy: it captures both OKC residents and Edmond shoppers without requiring a drive toward more distant outlets. The store occupies approximately 75,000 square feet, substantially larger than specialty outdoor shops scattered across the city. Parking is abundant and free, a relevant factor when comparing to downtown or Midtown retail corridors where parking fees or lot scarcity can shift the shopping experience.
The store's distance from central Oklahoma City (roughly 10 miles depending on your starting point) means it functions less as a spontaneous shopping trip and more as a planned destination. For residents in south OKC neighborhoods like Mustang or Norman, the drive extends beyond 20 minutes, which affects whether you'll make the trip for a single item versus bundling errands.
Merchandise Range and Depth
Cabela's inventory reflects a hunting-and-fishing focus rather than equal coverage across all outdoor activities. Firearms, ammunition, hunting licenses, and fishing tackle occupy significant floor space, with full sections dedicated to seasonal hunting apparel (camouflage patterns, insulated outerwear) and fishing rods organized by freshwater and saltwater categories. This specialization differs markedly from general sporting goods retailers like Dick's Sporting Goods, which distribute outdoor gear across broader categories alongside team sports equipment.
For camping gear, the selection is solid but not exhaustive compared to dedicated outdoor outfitters. You'll find tents, sleeping bags, and backpacks from established brands, yet the range of ultralight backpacking equipment or specialized alpine gear narrows compared to what REI carries (REI's nearest location is in Tulsa, roughly 100 miles northeast). Cabela's outdoor clothing section emphasizes practical, temperature-rated pieces suitable for Oklahoma conditions rather than comprehensive technical layering systems.
Boat and marine equipment occupies its own section, reflecting Oklahoma's lake culture. With lakes like Lake Hefner, Lake Thunderbird, and numerous Corps of Engineers reservoirs nearby, boat maintenance supplies and fishing-specific boat accessories are stocked accordingly.
Price Positioning
Cabela's operates as a mid-to-premium retailer. Prices on ammunition and firearms align with national big-box outdoor retailers; you won't find significant local price advantages, but you'll also avoid the markup common at small specialty shops. Seasonal sales (particularly pre-hunting-season in August and September, and pre-Christmas) offer discounts on selected items, though not dramatically lower than online pricing.
Membership in Cabela's rewards program is free and provides points on purchases. The benefit accumulates slowly unless you spend regularly, making it valuable primarily for frequent hunters and fishers rather than casual visitors.
Comparison to Other Outdoor Retail Options
Within Oklahoma City proper, Cabela's competes with three distinct retail models:
Bass Pro Shops (the closest competing model) operates in Grapevine, Texas, roughly 200 miles south. The drive eliminates it as a regular shopping alternative for most OKC residents, though it serves as a destination for serious hunters during their regional vacation trips.
Local independent shops scattered across neighborhoods (fishing-tackle specialists near water access areas, hunting-supply stores in suburban strip malls) offer deeper expertise and community connection but narrower inventory. An independent gun shop may stock 30 rifle options; Cabela's stocks several hundred. Independent shops compensate through personal service and local knowledge.
Dick's Sporting Goods (multiple Oklahoma City locations including Penn Square Mall and Quail Springs) offers outdoor gear alongside team sports equipment. Dick's prices on mainstream brands often undercut Cabela's, and proximity eliminates travel time for OKC-central shoppers. However, Dick's outdoor section lacks Cabela's depth in hunting and fishing niches.
Walmart and Target (ubiquitous across the metro) stock basic camping and fishing items at the lowest prices but with minimal selection and no knowledgeable staff for equipment questions.
Staff and Services
Cabela's employs staff with product knowledge specific to hunting and fishing. The firearms section includes certified staff trained on regulations and safety. This differs from big-box sporting goods, where outdoor gear staff may lack specialized background. For a customer purchasing their first rifle or selecting a saltwater fishing setup, the depth of available guidance is relevant.
The store also processes hunting and fishing licenses on-site, eliminating a separate trip to an Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation office or online processing.
Practical Considerations for Your Visit
Foot traffic peaks on Saturday mornings (particularly September through November during hunting season) and around holiday shopping periods. Weekday visits between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. tend to be quieter if you prefer browsing without crowds.
Returns follow a 60-day policy, more generous than many retailers, though proof of purchase is required. This matters if you're uncertain about sizing or performance of outdoor clothing before committing.
The store's scale means you can spend 30 minutes grabbing a specific item or several hours exploring sections you don't regularly visit. Casual browsers often underestimate the time needed to navigate the full space.
For Oklahoma City residents, Cabela's on West Memorial Road serves as a logical anchor for outdoor retail when your needs extend beyond what general sporting goods stores stock, and when travel to Tulsa or distant outlets isn't practical. The trade-off is accepting higher prices than online retailers in exchange for immediate availability and in-person inspection before purchase.
