Black Mesa State Park, OK

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Description

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 ...[more]

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Overview

Description

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.

The nature preserve is operated by the Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department in conjunction with Black Mesa State Park. 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.

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 park is a birder's paradise with golden eagles, scaled quail, black-billed magpies, and pinyon jays. Other wildlife in the area includes black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, mule deer, bighorn sheep and antelope.

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.

Located about 15 miles from the nature preserve, Black Mesa State Park is adjacent to Lake Carl Etling and offers online reservable RV campsites with water and electric hookups, tent campsites, picnic facilities, boat ramps, playground and restrooms with showers.

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 along with shade structures about half way up the trail. 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.

Geography:

RV Black Mesa

This campground is located in the heart of the park, near the park office off of North Lake Road. A comfort station with showers is nearby. RV sites are a mix of cement pads and gravel with water and electric amenities. A dump station is located near the comfort station. There is easy access to the Vista Trail and Carrizo Creek Trail from the RV sites. RV sites have parking for RV/Trailer and one vehicle. Additional vehicles must park in overflow parking.

Tent West Canyon Area

This campground is located in a small canyon near the south entrance of the park off of North Lake Road. All sites have a grassy area for tents, some with small juniper trees for shade. Drinking water is nearby and a comfort station is within walking distance. These tent sites are in a dark sky area and are good for star gazing, guests are asked to keep lights to a minimum after dark. Parking available onsite for 2 vehicles only, no RVs or trailers of any kind at tent sites. Overflow parking is available for trailers and additional vehicle just outside west canyon.

Tent Lake View Area

This campground is located on the east side of Lake Carl Etling and is far from any amenities. These sites have a view of the lake and access to fishing on the lake and stream. All sites have a grassy area for tents, many have shade structures and trees for shade. A public boat ramp is nearby, boat ramp is seasonably accessible. These tent sites in a dark sky area and are good for star gazing, guests are asked to keep lights to a minimum after dark. No water or bathrooms are in this area. Parking available onsite for 2 vehicles only, no RVs or trailers of any kind at tent sites. Overflow parking is available for trailers and additional vehicle near boat ramp.

Tent Creek Area

This campground is located on the west side of the creek within the heart of the park near the Park office and off of North Lake Road. A comfort station with showers is nearby. All sites have a grassy area for tents, some with large cottonwood trees for shade. These sites have views of the stream and many have cliff views. While within the main campground they may have slightly more light than our dark sky designated sites, artificial light within the park has been reduced and these sites are still excellent areas for viewing the stars. There is easy access to the Vista Trail from the Creek Area Tent sites. Parking available onsite for 2 vehicles only, no RVs or trailers of any kind at tent sites. Overflow parking is available for trailers and additional vehicles at multiple locations in the main campground.

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