5 Best Natural Wonders To Visit In Oklahoma This Year

Oklahoma might be known for its wide-open plains, but the Sooner State is full of surprises when it comes to natural beauty. From towering mesas in the panhandle to sparkling waterfalls tucked in the Arbuckle Mountains, the landscape here is anything but ordinary. You will even find shimmering glass-like cliffs, a sprawling wildlife refuge, and rolling sand dunes that feel more like the Southwest. Here are five of the best natural wonders in Oklahoma to explore this year.

Black Mesa

Tucked away in far northwestern Cimarron County, the Black Mesa plateau rises to 4,972 feet, making it the highest point in Oklahoma. This geological wonder is where the Rocky Mountains meet the shortgrass prairie, formed by a three-million-year-old lava flow from a Colorado volcano. Spanning fifty-five miles long, six hundred feet thick, and up to eight miles wide, the mesa exposes Jurassic and Triassic rocks containing dinosaur fossils, including Camptosaurus, Stegosaurus, Brontosaurus, Diplodocus, and Edmontosaurus bones. Black Mesa State Park, created in 1959, features cabins, a campground, picnic areas, Lake Carl G. Etling, and striking rock formations like Wedding Party, Wedding Cake, and Old Maid, attracting climbers, campers, and wildlife enthusiasts alike.

The park is a prime destination for birdwatching, with golden eagles, piñon jays, and red-tailed hawks often spotted soaring above. The best times to visit are spring and fall, when temperatures are mild.

Little Sahara Desert

Little Sahara State Park, also called the Waynoka Dunes, is a striking natural wonder located in Oklahoma, named for its resemblance to the Sahara Desert. These vast sand dunes formed over centuries from terrace deposits left by the prehistoric Cimarron River, shaping an otherworldly landscape that ranges from 25 to 75 feet in height. The tallest dunes, Competition Hill and Buttercup, draw thrill-seekers from across the state. Little Sahara was founded in the early 1950s by Grace Ward Smith, who transformed a nuisance into a destination by employing locals as guides, staging reenactments, and even introducing camels for a Christmas pageant. The state purchased the 339-acre parcel in 1960, expanding it to 1,600 acres by 1963. Visitors can ride motorcycles, ATVs, UTVs, dune buggies, and 4x4 vehicles.

The park welcomes guests year-round with no permits required and features amenities such as showers, picnic areas, 86 RV hookups, 143 tent sites, and seasonal concessions, with fuel and groceries nearby. Spring and fall are ideal times to visit, as temperatures are mild and winds sculpt the dunes into ever-changing patterns, well-suited for riding, photography, and sightseeing.

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Worn by time and nature, the Wichita Mountains rise majestically above the prairie in southwestern Oklahoma, forming a timeless refuge for wildlife. Located just outside the Lawton and Fort Sill area, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge spans roughly 60,000 acres of mixed-grass prairie, ancient granite peaks, and freshwater lakes and streams. Established in 1901, it is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the United States Fish and Wildlife Service system. The refuge is renowned for its free-roaming herds of bison, longhorn cattle, and Rocky Mountain elk, while also serving as a sanctuary for 806 plant species, 240 bird species, 36 fish species, and 64 reptiles and amphibians.

Recreational opportunities abound across public use areas covering more than 22,000 acres. Hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, camping, bird and wildlife photography, and fishing for largemouth bass, crappie, channel catfish, and sunfish are popular pastimes. Mount Scott, reaching 2,464 feet, provides panoramic views of the refuge and surrounding prairie, accessible via a winding scenic road. Fall brings managed elk and deer hunts by lottery. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit, when temperatures are mild, wildflowers bloom, and wildlife activity is high, making it ideal for outdoor exploration.

Gloss Mountains

Rising from the plains of northwestern Oklahoma, the Gloss Mountains—also called the Glass Mountains—are a striking series of mesas and buttes forming part of the Blaine Escarpment. Stretching along U.S. Route 412 from Orienta, these formations reach 150 to 200 feet above the surrounding terrain, with the highest point around 1,600 feet above sea level. The slopes and summits sparkle with selenite crystals, giving the mesas their “glass” appearance. The area’s geological layers, from Permian red sandstone and shale to Pleistocene terraces, tell a story spanning millions of years. Early explorers called them the “Shining Mountains,” and botanists like George Walter Stevens studied the region’s unique flora, adding scientific significance.

Visitors can explore Glass Mountains State Park, a 640-acre preserve six miles west of Orienta, with a hiking path and stairs to the mesa tops. Nearby, Rattlesnake Lake is a peaceful stop, while picnic tables and an informational kiosk enrich the experience. The park is a good place for climbers and hikers. Spring and fall are the best seasons to visit, when temperatures are mild and the sunlight makes the selenite crystals shimmer brilliantly.

Turner Falls Park

Turner Falls Park, located near Davis in south-central Oklahoma, is home to one of the state’s tallest waterfalls. Dropping 77 feet into a natural swimming pool along Honey Creek in the Arbuckle Mountains, the falls were discovered by Scottish immigrant Mazeppa Thomas Turner in 1878 and have been a celebrated attraction ever since. The Arbuckles, among the oldest mountain ranges on Earth, provide a dramatic backdrop, creating a stunning setting for outdoor adventures. Clear water streams, natural swimming pools, and rippling creeks make the park apt for cooling off during warm summer months. Hikers can explore scenic trails winding through the park, while anglers can fish trout-stocked streams between November and March.

Visitors will also enjoy exploring the park’s three caves, wandering around the historic Collings Castle, or simply relaxing by the waterfall. Turner Falls Park features RV and tent campgrounds, along with privately-owned rental cabins, making overnight stays convenient for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Spring and summer are the best times to visit.

Wrapping Up

Oklahoma’s natural wonders show off just how diverse and breathtaking the state really is. Whether you are hiking among rugged mountains, climbing to the top of a mesa, wandering across sun-soaked dunes, or cooling off at a waterfall, each destination suggests a different way to connect with nature. Plan your visit around the best times of year, and you will see why Oklahoma’s landscapes are worth exploring again and again.