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Oklahoma
54

Oklahoma State Parks

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USA Parks
Oklahoma
Western Region
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve
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Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve Black Mesa Sunrise © Daryle Presley
Sunrise over Cholla cactus near Black Mesa.
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve Black Mesa State Park © Daryle Presley
Early morning at Black Mesa. Looking Northwest. July 2018
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve 2017 © Marianne Austin
Lake Etling
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve © Marianne Austin
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve © Marianne Austin
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve 2017 © Marianne Austin
Western Meadowlark
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve 2017 © Marianne Austin
Thistle
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve 2017 © Marianne Austin
Abandoned Mining Town Area
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve 2017 © Marianne Austin
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve View from our campsite © Christopher Dean
This is looking down the stream from our campsite
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve 2017 © Marianne Austin
Roadrunner
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve © Marianne Austin
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve 2017 © Marianne Austin
Cholla Cactus
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve view from the playground © Christopher Dean
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve Ouch © Steve Bland
Watch out for these little guys Right in the middle of the four wheeler trail
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve Starting Out © Steve Bland
Very nice entrance
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve The prize © Steve Bland
A very nice monument at the highest point in Oklahoma. Worth the trip
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve The ascent © Steve Bland
The beginning of the ascent to the top
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve A view from the top © Steve Bland
It really is a long way down and across
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve © Ben Prepelka
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve © Ben Prepelka
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BLACK MESA STATE PARK NATURE PRESERVE
BLACK MESA STATE PARK NATURE PRESERVE
Oklahoma 325
Kenton, Oklahoma   73946
(lat:36.8404 lon:-102.8822) map location

Phone: 580-665-8396
Email: park email button icon
Black Mesa is located in Oklahoma's panhandle along the tri-state border with Colorado and New Mexico. Black Mesa takes its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated the mesa about 30 million years ago. Visitors can hike to the top of the plateau, Oklahoma's highest point at 4,973 feet above sea level, while in the Black Mesa Nature Preserve.

The nature preserve consists of approximately 1,600 acres where visitors can hike and enjoy 23 rare plants and eight rare animal species. The unique area marks the point where the Rocky Mountains meet the shortgrass prairie and many species are at the easternmost or westernmost point of their natural range.

Black Mesa Nature Preserve is open dawn to dusk only. Allow at least four hours to hike to the top of the mesa from the parking area and back. A restroom is available at the nature preserve trailhead. Although camping is allowed within the state park, no camping is allowed within the nature preserve borders. Hikers need to be prepared for high temperatures during the summer and are advised to bring plenty of water.
Nature of the Area
In addition to being an excellent location for wildlife watching, Black Mesa State Park boasts some of the darkest nighttime skies on publicly accessible land in the country. The dark skies draw countless astronomy enthusiasts to the area every year as they make star gazing ideal. The state park is especially popular each August when the annual Perseid meteor shower is visible. It is one of the most viewed meteor showers in the Northern Hemisphere and is best seen from remote areas such as the Oklahoma panhandle.
History of the Area
This park is in Oklahoma's panhandle and got its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated the mesa about 30 million years ago. The Nature Preserve is located 15 miles from the state park and features Oklahoma's highest elevation at 4,973 feet above sea level.


Location
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve is

Birding
Black Mesa State Park Nature Preserve are a birder's paradise with golden eagles, scaled quail, black-billed magpies, and pinyon jays frequently spotted. Other wildlife in the area includes black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, mule deer, bighorn sheep and antelope.

Visitor Comments, Memories and Reviews
March 31 Great time with the Family by Anderson Family
park review stars; one to five We were at the park this past weekend and found the park to be in great shape. Although there was a bathroom out-of-order, there was another facility available that was very clean and accessible. The Park Ranger Holly was AWESOME She gave us guides on what to do. We were able to fit hiking, formation viewing, dino tracks, fishing, and star gazing all in one great day All I would recommend is be prepared There is NOTHING close by so, bring what you want to have with you. We are tent campers so, be sure you have good tent stakes as it gets very windy. Great time, great sites, good people.
April 13 excellent camping grounds by Carlos
park review stars; one to five We went to observe the skies thru our telescopes. although the RV camping area has pole lights on at all times, we were able to move a little higher and had an unbelievable view from horizon to horizon, no lights. We had very strong winds one day, but Tucker, the park ranger came to check on us. He keeps everything very clean and in order, thanks Tucker.
September 19 Kick back , unplug and relax by chris
park review stars; one to five Our recent stay at Black Mesa was great. We tent camped by the stream watched fish jump out of the water, did a couple of the hikes and relaxed. The park is well maintained with hot showers and was never more than half full the three days we were there in mid sept 2015. Stock up on supplies in Boise City there was one small store in Kenton but it was closed the times that we were there. Overal it was a great experience.
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Directions
Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve
County Road 325
Kenton, OK 73946



28 miles NW of Boise City on Hwy 325.

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Oklahoma
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Oklahoma State Parks

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