The Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Commission serves in an advisory board to the executive director and is made up of eight members of the public, along with the lieutenant governor of Oklahoma serving as the ninth member and chair of the commission.

The Department of Tourism and Recreation was created in 1972 during the term of Governor David Hall.

The Department of Tourism and Recreation is led by the executive director, who is appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Senate.

The lieutenant governor of Oklahoma serves ex officio as the ninth member and chair of the commission.

As of 2020, the members of the commission are: Administered by the executive director, the Department began in 1931 when the Oklahoma Legislature appropriated funds for the land on which Lake Murray is located.