Oklahoma is full of natural beauty to explore. From gorgeous waterfalls to glistening mesas, Oklahoma has so much to offer. We have featured many of these places before, but we never get tired of showing off our beautiful state. Here are 7 of the most incredible natural wonders you will want to check out in the Sooner State.
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge: Indiahoma
Facebook/Debra Zimmermann Gauthier
Facebook/Matthew Shreve Located in southwestern Oklahoma, near Lawton, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is over 59,000 acres of beautiful land. Visitors can hike, bike, climb, rappel, camp, fish and enjoy all nature has to offer.
- Turner Falls: Davis
Flickr/Karen
Flickr/Hobie Caldwell Turner Falls is located in the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains and is considered Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall at 77 feet. This picturesque waterfall flows with crystal clear water into a swimming hole that is a favorite summer spot for Oklahomans.
- Talimena Scenic Drive: Talihina
Facebook/Stephen Ofsthun
Flickr/Lane Pearman Famous for its spectacular fall foliage, the Talimena Scenic Drive is a 54-mile route in southeastern Oklahoma that takes you through the Talimena State Park, Ouachita National Forest and the Cedar Lake Recreation Area. Stop at one of 22 majestic vistas or visit several historic gateway towns along the way.
- Great Salt Plains State Park: Jet
Facebook/Great-Salt-Plains-State-Park
Facebook/Great-Salt-Plains-State-Park Composed of salt left over from an ocean that covered Oklahoma during pre-historic times, Great Salt Plains is one of Oklahoma’s most unique state parks. The lake in the park is a salt-water lake, about half as salty as the ocean. Visitors can dig for hourglass crystals that form just under the surface in the crystal dig area. Oklahoma is the only place in the world these crystals can be found. Other activities include biking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing and swimming.
- Gloss Mountains: Fairview
Flickr/Wade Harris
Flickr/rex brown Also known as the Glass Mountains, Gloss Mountains are famous for their Selenite content that looks like shiny glass. When the sun hits the Selenite, the mountains sparkle and resemble the deep Southwest. Hiking is allowed to the top of the mesas, and views of the Cimarron River and breathtaking landscape can be seen for miles.
- Chickasaw National Recreation Area: Sulphur
Flickr/Jonathan C. Wheeler
Facebook/Chickasaw-National-Recreation-Area This National Recreation Area is comprised of the former Platt National Park and Arbuckle Recreation District. It is located in south-central Oklahoma near Sulphur. Visitors can enjoy year-round activities at this family-favorite spot. Its mineral waters, streams and lakes are perfect swimming and boating spots, while its sprawling forests and lands are perfect for hikers, campers and nature lovers.
- Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve: Kenton
Flickr/Nate
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM The highest point in Oklahoma can be found at Black Mesa at 4,973 feet above sea level. Black Mesa is located in the Oklahoma panhandle, along with portions of New Mexico and Colorado. It is a favorite spot for bird-lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, as there are an abundance of bird species and wildlife in the park and preserve. The hike to the top of the mesa takes about 4 hours to the top and back.
They are all so breathtaking! What other natural wonders should we add to the list?
Facebook/Debra Zimmermann Gauthier
Facebook/Matthew Shreve
Located in southwestern Oklahoma, near Lawton, Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is over 59,000 acres of beautiful land. Visitors can hike, bike, climb, rappel, camp, fish and enjoy all nature has to offer.
Flickr/Karen
Flickr/Hobie Caldwell
Turner Falls is located in the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains and is considered Oklahoma’s tallest waterfall at 77 feet. This picturesque waterfall flows with crystal clear water into a swimming hole that is a favorite summer spot for Oklahomans.
Facebook/Stephen Ofsthun
Flickr/Lane Pearman
Famous for its spectacular fall foliage, the Talimena Scenic Drive is a 54-mile route in southeastern Oklahoma that takes you through the Talimena State Park, Ouachita National Forest and the Cedar Lake Recreation Area. Stop at one of 22 majestic vistas or visit several historic gateway towns along the way.
Facebook/Great-Salt-Plains-State-Park
Composed of salt left over from an ocean that covered Oklahoma during pre-historic times, Great Salt Plains is one of Oklahoma’s most unique state parks. The lake in the park is a salt-water lake, about half as salty as the ocean. Visitors can dig for hourglass crystals that form just under the surface in the crystal dig area. Oklahoma is the only place in the world these crystals can be found. Other activities include biking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing and swimming.
Flickr/Wade Harris
Flickr/rex brown
Also known as the Glass Mountains, Gloss Mountains are famous for their Selenite content that looks like shiny glass. When the sun hits the Selenite, the mountains sparkle and resemble the deep Southwest. Hiking is allowed to the top of the mesas, and views of the Cimarron River and breathtaking landscape can be seen for miles.
Flickr/Jonathan C. Wheeler
Facebook/Chickasaw-National-Recreation-Area
This National Recreation Area is comprised of the former Platt National Park and Arbuckle Recreation District. It is located in south-central Oklahoma near Sulphur. Visitors can enjoy year-round activities at this family-favorite spot. Its mineral waters, streams and lakes are perfect swimming and boating spots, while its sprawling forests and lands are perfect for hikers, campers and nature lovers.
Flickr/Nate
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
The highest point in Oklahoma can be found at Black Mesa at 4,973 feet above sea level. Black Mesa is located in the Oklahoma panhandle, along with portions of New Mexico and Colorado. It is a favorite spot for bird-lovers and wildlife enthusiasts, as there are an abundance of bird species and wildlife in the park and preserve. The hike to the top of the mesa takes about 4 hours to the top and back.
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