This Little-Known Oklahoma Artesian Well Is Where the State’s Purest Water Comes From

I never thought a roadside water source would become one of my favorite stops in Oklahoma, but here we are. The deVine Water Artesian Well sits quietly along Highway 11 near Burlington, pumping crystal-clear water straight from deep underground since 1954.

What started as one man’s project to tap into the ancient aquifer has become a beloved pit stop for travelers, locals, and anyone who appreciates truly pure water.

The best part is that it flows freely 24 hours a day, every single day, inviting you to fill up as many jugs as you can carry without spending a dime.

A Hidden Treasure Along Highway 11

Driving along OK-11 between the Salt Plains and Burlington, you might easily miss this spot if you’re not paying attention. A simple white fence marks the entrance, and there’s a small pull-off area where you can safely park your car without blocking traffic.

The well itself looks unassuming at first glance. No flashy signs or visitor center greet you, just a steady stream of water flowing from a pipe that’s been doing its job for decades.

That simplicity is part of the charm.

I found it refreshing to visit a place that hasn’t been commercialized or turned into a tourist trap. You walk through the gate, grab your containers, and help yourself to as much water as you need.

The constant flow creates a small creek that waters the surrounding vegetation, making the area surprisingly green compared to the dry prairie around it.

Many travelers mention in their reviews that they almost drove past it before spotting the distinctive white fence. Once you know what to look for, though, it becomes an essential stop on any trip through northwestern Oklahoma.

The Story Behind the Flow

Edward “Eddie” Brickman drilled this well back in 1954, tapping into the massive Ogallala Aquifer that lies beneath the Great Plains. His goal was simple: access the pure water that had been filtering through rock and sand for thousands of years.

What makes this story special is that Eddie opened the well to the public from the very beginning. He could have kept it private or charged for access, but instead, he chose to share this natural resource with anyone who needed it.

That generosity has continued long after his time.

In 2003, the deVine Water Company purchased the property from the Brickman estate. Rather than closing off access or commercializing the site, they maintained Eddie’s original vision of keeping the water free and available to everyone.

The company honors his legacy by ensuring the well remains accessible around the clock.

I learned from talking to locals that some families have been stopping here for generations. Grandparents bring their grandchildren, sharing memories of visiting this exact spot decades earlier when the water pressure was even stronger than it is today.

Water That Tastes Like Nothing Else

The first time I filled my bottle and took a sip, I understood what all the reviews were talking about. This water tastes completely different from anything that comes out of a tap or even most bottled water brands.

There’s no chlorine taste, no metallic aftertaste, and no weird chemical flavor that sometimes lingers in city water. It’s clean, crisp, and remarkably refreshing.

The temperature stays cold year-round because it’s coming from so far underground, which makes it especially wonderful on hot Oklahoma summer days.

Several visitors in the guestbook have written that it’s the best water they’ve ever tasted. I thought that might be an exaggeration until I tried it myself.

Now I’m a believer.

The lack of treatment chemicals means you’re getting water exactly as nature intended. It has filtered through layers of rock and sand for millennia, emerging pure and mineral-rich.

Some people claim they can even taste the difference in their coffee or tea when they use this water instead of regular tap water back home.

Open Around the Clock, Every Single Day

One of the most remarkable things about this location is its complete accessibility. Unlike most attractions that have operating hours, the deVine Water Artesian Well never closes.

You can visit at three in the afternoon or three in the morning.

This 24-hour access makes it incredibly convenient for travelers passing through at odd hours. If you’re driving across Oklahoma late at night and need fresh water, you don’t have to wait until morning or hunt for an open convenience store.

I’ve read reviews from people who stopped by at sunrise to beat the heat and others who visited after midnight during a long road trip. The water keeps flowing regardless of the time, day, or season.

Even during winter months when temperatures drop below freezing, you can still access the well.

The constant flow means the well never runs dry or needs to be primed. You don’t have to pump a handle or press a button.

Just hold your container under the stream and wait for it to fill. It’s wonderfully straightforward and reliable in a way that feels almost old-fashioned these days.

Bring Your Jugs and Bottles

Smart visitors come prepared with multiple containers. I’ve seen people arrive with everything from small water bottles to five-gallon jugs, and the well accommodates them all equally well.

The flow rate is strong enough that filling even large containers doesn’t take forever, though it’s not as powerful as old-timers remember from decades past. Still, you can easily fill a gallon jug in just a few minutes without any struggle.

Many locals make regular trips here specifically to stock up on drinking water for their homes. They’ll load up their truck beds with empty jugs, fill them all, and have enough pure water to last for weeks.

It’s become part of their routine.

If you’re planning to visit, I recommend bringing more containers than you think you’ll need. Once you taste the water, you’ll wish you had brought extra.

Some people keep empty jugs in their car specifically for impromptu stops at the well. The water stays fresh for a long time when stored properly, so there’s no reason not to take advantage of this free resource.

A Welcome Break from the Road

Beyond just collecting water, this spot serves as a pleasant rest area for anyone traveling through northwestern Oklahoma. The constant sound of flowing water creates a peaceful atmosphere that’s surprisingly soothing after hours behind the wheel.

I noticed several visitors taking a few minutes to stretch their legs, breathe the fresh air, and enjoy the simple pleasure of being outdoors. It’s not a fancy roadside attraction, but sometimes the best stops are the uncomplicated ones.

The area around the well stays reasonably clean thanks to conscientious visitors and occasional maintenance. There’s a visitor log where you can sign your name and read entries from other travelers, which adds a nice sense of community to the experience.

Parents appreciate having a safe place to let kids run around for a few minutes while filling up water containers. The fenced area keeps everyone away from the highway, and there’s enough space to move around without feeling cramped.

It’s these small details that make the well more than just a water source but a genuine rest stop worth planning into your route across Oklahoma.

Close to the Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge

The well’s location near the Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge and State Park makes it a natural pairing for anyone exploring this unique corner of Oklahoma. Many visitors stop at the well either before or after visiting the salt flats.

I found it especially convenient after spending time at the refuge, where the heat and sun can leave you thoroughly parched. Having access to cold, fresh water just a short drive away feels like perfect timing.

Several reviews mention making this exact combination of stops.

The refuge itself is worth a full day of exploration. You can hunt for selenite crystals, observe migrating birds, and experience a landscape unlike anywhere else in Oklahoma.

The salt flats create an otherworldly white expanse that photographs beautifully, especially during golden hour.

After walking around the salt plains, that first drink of cold artesian water hits differently. Your body appreciates the pure hydration, and you’ll likely want to fill extra bottles to take with you for the rest of your adventure.

The proximity of these two attractions makes planning a day trip through the area remarkably easy and rewarding for nature enthusiasts.

Straight from the Ancient Aquifer

Understanding where this water comes from makes it even more impressive. The Ogallala Aquifer stretches beneath eight states, holding water that has accumulated over millions of years through rainfall and snowmelt slowly seeping through soil and rock.

When Eddie Brickman drilled down in 1954, he reached a depth where the underground pressure was strong enough to push water to the surface naturally. That’s what makes it a true artesian well rather than one requiring pumps.

The geological pressure does all the work.

This ancient water has been filtering through countless layers of sand, gravel, and limestone, which naturally removes impurities and adds beneficial minerals. The process takes so long that the water emerging today might have entered the aquifer thousands of years ago.

That perspective always amazes me.

The aquifer faces challenges in many areas due to over-pumping for agriculture and development, which makes accessible sources like this even more precious.

Being able to drink water this pure, filtered by nature over millennia, feels like a privilege that shouldn’t be taken for granted as we travel through Oklahoma’s beautiful countryside.

Memories Passed Down Through Generations

Reading the visitor log and reviews reveals something touching about this place. Families return here decade after decade, creating traditions around something as simple as collecting water.

Grandparents share stories with grandchildren about visiting this exact spot when they were young.

One visitor wrote about how his grandfather used to bring him here, and now he brings his own children. The well has remained constant while everything else around it changed.

That continuity means something in our fast-paced world.

Several people mentioned that the water pressure was stronger years ago, strong enough that you could barely hold onto your cup. While it may have decreased slightly over the decades, the well continues flowing reliably, just as it has since 1954.

These multi-generational connections give the well a significance beyond just being a water source. It becomes a touchstone, a place where family history intersects with natural resources.

I found myself wondering how many Oklahoma families have their own stories tied to this unassuming spot along Highway 11, and how many more will create new memories here in years to come.

Free as Nature Intended

In a world where everything seems to come with a price tag, the completely free access to this well feels almost revolutionary. No admission fee, no parking charge, no suggested donation box.

Just pure water freely available to anyone who needs it.

This generosity started with Eddie Brickman and continues through the current ownership by deVine Water Company. They could easily monetize this resource, but they’ve chosen to honor the original spirit of public access.

That decision deserves recognition and respect.

I’ve visited many natural attractions across Oklahoma and beyond, and most charge something for entry or parking. Finding a place that operates purely on the principle of sharing a natural resource feels increasingly rare and valuable.

The lack of commercialization also means the experience stays authentic. There’s no gift shop, no vending machines, no pressure to spend money.

You come, you fill your containers, you enjoy the water, and you leave. That simplicity allows you to appreciate the well for exactly what it is without any distractions or commercial overlay affecting your experience of this natural resource.