Robber’s Cave State Park
In the scenic, hilly woodlands of the Sans Bois Mountains of southeast Oklahoma, Robbers Cave State Park is a favorite of rappellers, equestrians, hikers and outdoor lovers. This park is named for the famous outlaw cave hidden in the formation of 300 to 1,500-ft sandstone hills and cliffs. The park and adjoining wildlife management area offer acres of discovery and enjoyment including seasonal trout fishing and hunting, miles of hiking and equestrian trails, rugged cliffs for climbing and stunning fall foliage viewing. For more information, click here.
Natural Falls State Park
Located near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border in the scenic Ozark Highlands region of northeast Oklahoma, Natural Falls State Park features a stunning 77-foot waterfall cascading through rock formations and creating a hidden, serene atmosphere at the bottom of a narrow V-shaped valley. A railed observation platform allows hikers to overlook the falls and another observation deck with seating is located at the foot of the falls offering two vantage points to enjoy one of the most scenic wonders in the state. The beautiful scenery looks familiar to many visitors because scenes from the 1974 movie, “Where the Red Fern Grows” were filmed in the park. For more information, click here.
Alabaster Caverns State Park
Enter one of the largest natural gypsum caves in the world at Alabaster Caverns State Park. This rare cave is open to the public, and the only gypsum show cave in the United States. Daily guided tours of Alabaster Cavern leave promptly on the hour from 9am-4pm. For safety reasons, a maximum of 40 visitors are allowed on each tour. A fee is charged for the tour. The cavern tour includes guided interpretation on a well-lit path. For more information, click here.
Gloss Mountain State Park
Photo by: Donald Devine
An hour west of Enid in the rural town of Fairview rests a true Oklahoma treasure: Gloss Mountain State Park. The Gloss Mountains, sometimes called the Glass Mountains, have a high Selenite content that mimics a shiny glass exterior. Though there are no lodging or campsites located in Gloss Mountains State Park, guests can enjoy the Cathedral Mountain hike from sunrise to sunset. The spectacular scenery makes this a truly unique Oklahoma state park. For more information, click here.
Beavers Bend State Park
Melissa Stubblefield Hyde
Beavers Bend State Park is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. Guests traveling down the winding roads through the forests of pine and hardwood trees will find adventure, beautiful scenery and plenty of activities inside this state park. The scenic beauty of Beavers Bend State Park makes it one of Oklahoma’s most popular areas. Towering timbers, crystal clear waters and rugged terrain make this state park an outdoor lover’s paradise. Visitors to Beavers Bend State Park will enjoy hiking, biking, boating, fishing, water skiing, nature center activities, river float trips, canoeing, horseback riding and much more. Trout streams are stocked year-round and the park features two catch-and-release trophy areas. For more information, click here.