The state of Oklahoma is home to hiking trails, buffalo, and unique wildlife. This 46th state contains a lot of natural beauty that many people may not realize. When people think of Oklahoma, many picture the infamous Dust Bowl, a series of dust storms that took place during the 1930s and damaged the prairies and natural landscape of Oklahoma.
Today, Oklahoma boasts a wide range of natural beauty, from the redbud state tree to Oklahoma rose state flower. Other forms of beauty found in nature include the wild bison and Rocky Mountain elk. If you want to truly see how beautiful the state of Oklahoma can be, visit one of their 32 state parks. Below is a list of ten of Oklahoma's must-see state parks.
10 Tenkiller State Park
Located in Vian, Oklahoma, Tenkiller State Park offers spectacular views of the beautiful blue waters of Lake Tenkiller. This state park is often referred to as “heaven in the hills.”
Tenkiller State Sark spans across 130 miles of shoreline and is the perfect spot for water activities. Visitors enjoy boating, fishing, tubing, and even scuba diving! Scuba divers are able to explore the clear waters of Lake Tenkiller, viewing a school bus and helicopter located at the bottom of the lake.
- Address: 448159 E 979 Dr, Vian, OK 74962
- Hours: Office hours 8 am-4:30 pm daily, park open 24/7
- Cost: $10 a day ($8 for Oklahoma residents)
9 Roman Nose State Park
Canyons are a geological beauty, and there are many incredible canyons to visit all around the world. Roman Nose State Park in Oklahoma is home to one such breathtaking canyon. Travelers come here to enjoy the rock cliffs and use the multi-use nature trail. Roman Nose State Park is a great spot for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Visitors also enjoy the three natural springs located in the park, as well as the green foliage.
- Address: 3236 OK-8A, Watonga, OK 73772
- Hours: 24/7
8 Boiling Springs State Park
Bubbling springs are another natural beauty found in one of Oklahoma’s state parks. Grab your favorite book and spend an afternoon reading by the springs, or opt for a more active afternoon by swimming or biking in the park.
- Address: 207745 Boiling, The Springs Rd, Woodward, OK 73801
- Hours: Office hours 8 am-4:30 pm daily, park open 24/7
Boiling Springs State Park is equipped to handle large numbers of visitors, with over 150 picnic tables and grills located throughout the park. Another attraction is the nearby Boiling Springs Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course lined with green trees.
- Golf Course Address: 5283 OK-34C, Woodward, OK 73801
- Hours: Monday 10am-9pm, Tuesday-Sunday 7:30am-9pm
7 Greenleaf State Park
Expect to see gorgeous greenery when exploring Greenleaf State Park, located in East Oklahoma. Greenleaf State Park boasts an 18-mile hiking trail that wraps around the park and Greenleaf Lake. On this walk, you will see lots of vegetation, sunfish swimming in the lake, and a swinging wooden bridge.
If you are less into hiking and more into water activities, Greenleaf State Park is also a great spot for swimming, fishing, and canoeing.
- Address: 12022 Greenleaf Rd, Braggs, OK 74423
- Hours: Office hours 8 am-4:30 pm daily, park open 24/7
6 Alabaster Caverns State Park
Another amazing natural feature is the caverns. Caverns can be found all across the United States, from Oregon to Washington D.C. Oklahoma is home to the stunning Alabaster Caverns State Park, which features the largest public natural gypsum cave in the world! Visitors can take a guided walking tour of these phenomenal caverns. More adventurous tourists go spelunking on their own. Spelunking on one's own is known as “wild caving,” and a permit is required for such activity.
- Address: 217036 State Hwy 50A, Freedom, OK 73842
- Hours: 8 am-5 pm daily, guided tours 9 am-4 pm
5 Gloss Mountain State Park
Gloss Mountain is often referred to as Glass Mountain due to its shiny mountains that appear glass-like. This visual illusion is thanks to the high levels of Selenite found in the mountain. This state park also offers stunning red rock landscapes and green shrubbery. What makes this park so unique is it possesses a desert-like atmosphere, as opposed to the numerous Oklahoma state parks that are surrounded by lakes. With over 650 acres of land, there is plenty of stunning nature to explore and take in.
- Address: US-412, Fairview, OK 73737
- Hours: Office hours 7 am-9 pm daily, park open sunrise to sunset
4 Robbers Cave State Park
Located near Wilburton, Oklahoma, Robbers Cave State Park possesses not only a rich landscape but a rich history as well. This area of land has been used by French trappers, Indian tribes, miners, and outlaws at various points in time. Perhaps the cave’s most famous occupants were outlaws Jesse James and Belle Starr in the late 1800s.
Today, visitors hike up to the outlaw cave, surrounded by sandstone, vegetation, and rocky cliffs. Robbers Cave State Park also offers special equestrian trails for horseback riders.
- Address: 2084 NW 146th Rd, Wilburton, OK 74578
- Hours: Friday-Saturday 9 am-7 pm, Sunday-Thursday 9 am-6 pm
3 Salt Plains State Park
Another state park that highlights Oklahoma’s natural beauty is Salt Plains State Park. The park features a saltwater lake and salt flats. Between the months of April and October, visitors are able to dig for crystals in designated areas of the park. If you are lucky, you will find a selenite crystal, an hourglass-shaped crystal that can only be found in Oklahoma (nowhere else in the world!).
There is also the nearby Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge which is worth exploring. This refuge is the perfect spot for ornithologists, with over 300 species of birds calling the refuge home.
- Address: 23280 S. Spillway Dr, Jet, OK 73749
- Hours: Office hours 8 am-4 pm daily, park open 24/7
2 Little Sahara State Park
Little Sahara State Park offers visitors gorgeous views of sand dunes and 1,600 acres of sparkling sand. This area is often referred to as Oklahoma’s sandbox. The breathtaking dunes were created from terrace deposits, and today these dunes stand between 25 and 75 feet tall.
- Address: 101 Main St, Waynoka, OK 73860
- Hours: Office hours 8 am-4 pm daily, park open 24/7
Little Sahara is known for being a great spot to go ATV riding. Visitors can bring their own vehicle or rent an ATV off-site.
- Name: Stewart SandSports & ATV Rentals
- Address: 910 Main St, Waynoka, OK 73860
- Hours: Sunday-Monday closed, Tuesday-Saturday 9 am-5 pm
- Cost: Half-day- $150, full day- $250, 48 hours- $600 ($10 fee to enter the park if ATV riding)
1 Beavers Bend State Park
The most popular state park in Oklahoma is Beavers Bend State Park. Located in Broken Bow in Southeast Oklahoma, this state park is known for its wide variety of outdoor activities. Many visitors boat out onto Broken Bow Lake to enjoy a calm afternoon on the water. Other visitors opt for fishing in the Lower Mountain Fork River. Hiking and horseback riding are other fun activities you can partake in at this state park. With lofty pine trees and sparkling water, Beavers Bend State Park highlights the natural beauty of Oklahoma.
- Address: 4350 S, OK-259A, Broken Bow, OK 74728
- Hours: Office hours 8 am-5 pm daily, park open 24/7