18 Incredible Natural Wonders In Oklahoma That Defy Explanation
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Tori Jane
Author
Oklahoma is an outrageously beautiful state that’s not just underrated – it’s underpopulated! Of course, no Okies are going to complain about that part; it’s nice to have all these jaw-droppingly beautiful, wide-open spaces to ourselves, after all. But Oklahoma is so much more than just plains and prairies; as it turns out, the Sooner State is an amalgamation of unique and unexpected landscapes; it’s so, so much more than it ever gets credit for, so we’d like to take a moment and appreciate 18 amazing natural wonders in Oklahoma that most folks don’t even know about. Which ones are your faves? Which ones did we leave out? Let us know!
Best Gorges & Canyons In Oklahoma
Let’s be realistic for a moment here: Oklahoma is not known for things like canyons and/or gorges. However, this doesn’t mean that there aren’t any – in fact, there are a few! It’s not all flat ‘n boring here, after all. What better way to start off this list of awesome natural attractions in the Sooner State than by celebrating some of its canyons? Here are three of the must-see canyons in Oklahoma for your bucket list-adding pleasure:
1. Narrows Canyon
Narrows Canyon is just one of many amazing natural wonders within the boundaries of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. If you’re a rock climber, you’ll find that The Narrows is host to numerous awesome opportunities to get out the gear. If you’re a photographer or just appreciate a beautiful landscape, then surely, you’ll find the beauty of the rock faces jutting up out from the earth to be an enchanting one.
2. Four Canyon Preserve
The idyllic Four Canyon Preserve is just over 4,000 amazing acres of jaw-dropping scenery unlike anywhere else in Oklahoma. In fact, it’s home to four gorgeous, unique canyons: Cinnamon Canyon, Horse Canyon, Mulberry Canyon, and Harsha Canyon. They’re each as beautiful and exotic as their names, and once you’ve seen the awesomeness that is each of these wonders, you’re sure to find yourself in love with Oklahoma all over again. The preserve is usually closed to the public, but should you time your visit right, you might just be able to score a guided tour. It’s worth the effort.
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3. Red Rock Canyon
Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park was formerly known as Red Rock Canyon State Park, and despite the name change it’s maintained its awesomeness. The park is so much more than just a big, red canyon; there are countless activities to do while you’re here, like hiking, camping, swimming, and more. If you’re a lover of the outdoors, this one makes a great starting point for those looking to get out into it. The hiking trails are popular, but if you show up during the week and/or early in the morning, you might have it all to yourself.
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Best Lakes In Oklahoma
Fun fact: There are more than 200 known lakes in Oklahoma. As a result of all this water, Oklahoma is home to more shoreline than both the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts combined! Let’s take a moment to appreciate some of the most beautiful, sparkling lakes in the Sooner State by celebrating three of the very best. Of course, “best” is subjective, so be sure to visit as many as you’re able to and decide for yourself. Of all the natural wonders in Oklahoma, these lakes might be the downright prettiest.
4. Greenleaf Lake
Greenleaf State Park is truly nothing short of epic. It’s stunningly beautiful, sparkly, and clean, with some of the clearest water in the state. Fishing is welcome, but motorized boats are not – so plan accordingly. The marina is a friendly place, and this 920-acre lake is an awesome place to enjoy the water safely. If you’re not a huge fan of getting in the water, no worries – Greenleaf Lake is home to 14 miles of wonderful shoreline! Beach day in OK, anyone?
5. Lake Eufaula
When it comes to all the lakes in Oklahoma, Lake Eufaula is probably one of the first that comes to mind. This reservoir is located on the Canadian River and is absolutely gorgeous. It spans an incredible 102,500 acres, and a very impressive 600 miles of shoreline to enjoy. Boating, fishing and hiking are popular pastimes here, and Oklahoma just wouldn’t be the same without it. Never let anyone tell you man-made lakes are somehow less fun, because Lake Eufaula is maximum fun at all times. When it comes to beautiful places in Oklahoma, this one deserves a spot on the to-do list.
6. Broken Bow Lake
Broken Bow Lake is one of the most jaw-dropping lakes in the Sooner State, and as a result, it’s quite popular – though somehow it manages to be seldomly crowded. As with many of Oklahoma’s lakes, fishing, boating, hiking, and camping are all very popular activities; it’s among the largest freshwater lakes in Oklahoma, and it’s easily one of the most beautiful as well. It has a surface area of 14,000 acres and boasts 180 miles of pristine shoreline. It’s a must-do for Sooners and visitors alike, and no visit to somewhere like Beavers Bend State Park is complete without checking it out. While you’re in the area, you might want to (strongly) consider a jaunt down the nearby Talimena Scenic Byway - easily one of the most beautiful scenic drives in America right here in the Sooner State.
Best Waterfalls In Oklahoma
Did you know that there are a handful of jaw-dropping and photogenic waterfalls in Oklahoma? It’s true! With all the natural wonders in Oklahoma we can think of, not a single list would ever be complete without mentioning one (or all) of the named and known waterfalls in the Sooner State. If you’re ever looking for must-see nature in Oklahoma, these awe-inspiring waterfalls are waiting for spots on your to-do list.
7. Turner Falls
When it comes to waterfalls in Oklahoma, we’re pretty sure it doesn’t get better than Turner Falls. This legendary cascade is part of the oldest park in the state. The falls are 77 feet tall and plunge down into the perfect natural swimming pool – perfect for a hot, humid summer day. But that’s not all! In the fall, the colors around the falls come to life in absolute brilliance, and in the winter, the frosty landscape lends an otherworldly feel to the falls. If there’s only one waterfall in Oklahoma you ever visit... make it this one.
8. Natural Falls
Hidden near the Arkansas/Oklahoma state line is Natural Falls State Park, a jaw-dropping example of the wonders of the Sooner State. Once upon a time, this hidden gem was privately owned and known as Dripping Springs – until the state purchased it. Popular among waterfall chasers, hikers, and any American looking for the adventure of a lifetime, Natural Falls is part of a 120-acre state park in Oklahoma that’s jam-packed with other wonders and delights as well. Oklahoma is one of the most beautiful places on earth as long as you know where to look! Unfortunately, there is no swimming permitted at this one for safety reasons, so be sure to respect the land and admire from the shoreline.
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9. Bluestem Falls
Okay, one more and then we’ll move on: if you’ve never experienced the pure joy of Bluestem Falls, are you really an Okie? Bluestem Falls has a reputation as one of the downright best waterfalls in Oklahoma, and folks travel here from OKC, Tulsa, Lawton, Texas, and even furthermore just to experience it. Maybe Oklahoma isn’t one of the premier vacation destinations in the USA... but perhaps it should be, thanks to wonders like this. The lake and falls are open year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring when snow runoff swells the lake to twice its normal size.
Best Overlooks & Scenic Vistas In Oklahoma
Oklahoma has a reputation as being “flat”, “boring” or even being known as the dreaded “flyover state”. We hope that this list inspires you and helps you see that this is simply untrue, but if folks want to skip our amazing state in favor of somewhere more crowded… well, that’s their prerogative. Over here, we’ll continue to enjoy all the gorgeous, jaw-dropping sights there are to see out here – and speaking of seeing, you can see forever from these utterly epic vistas in Oklahoma:
10. Turner Falls Overlook
When it comes to epic overlooks in Oklahoma, Turner Falls Overlook is probably at the top of our list. Come on, what’s cooler than a birds-eye view of the most breathtaking part of the Sooner State? Just over an hour from Oklahoma City, this gorgeous slice of paradise is nothing less than perfect. The only thing we’d change is the crowds on the weekends – but who can blame the folks who flock here? It’s incredible, to say the least.
11. Gloss Mountain Overlook
This nothing-short-of-epic overlook in Oklahoma is everything that’s right with the world. Just an hour west of the small town of Enid (which is ABSOLUTELY worth visiting ten times over), you’ll find an unusual geological wonder turned into a state park: the Gloss Mountains, also called the Glass Mountains. These hills have a high concentration of selenite, which makes them look like...well, glass! And this incredible overlook lets you overlook it all. How cool is that? About as infinitely cool as this whole place is.
12. Mount Scott Overlook
What can be said about the jaw-dropping Mount Scott Overlook that hasn’t been said about the others? It’s incredible to be able to see so much from just about every spot here; the road up the mountain is the trail, and it’s popular for hiking, biking, and sightseeing. It’s three miles long and considered to be challenging, though, so be sure to know your limits. At 2,464 feet above sea level, this peak is the peak of Sooner State epicness. You can count the drive up (there’s parking at the summit!) as one awesome scenic drive, too. Pros: several. Cons: none.
Best Geological Wonders in Oklahoma
Okay, so maybe Oklahoma isn’t exactly a beacon of geological significance – but that doesn’t mean we don’t have our own fair share of wonders to ponder anyway. Here, let’s examine two of the coolest geological wonders in Oklahoma that’ll make you do a double-take (and then quickly look up just how they came to be). The coolest thing about our planet is that it tells us stories of how it came to be what it is… and we can listen if we want to.
13. The Great Salt Plains
Great Salt Plains State Park is so outrageously cool that it’s tough to understate. Once upon a time, this was an ocean – now, it’s one of the most fascinating (and truly unique) geological wonders in the Sooner State. There’s even a small lake within the plains that’s salty – it's about half as salty as the ocean is, and yes, there are fish! Rockhounds love this park, as it’s one of the best places to go rockhounding and digging for various minerals and crystals. Some states have unlikely sand dunes, some have unlikely waterfalls... Oklahoma has unlikely salt plains.
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14. The Gloss Mountains
Gloss Mountain State Park is home to exactly that: glossy-looking mountains. As we mentioned earlier, this is thanks to a high selenite content in the soil, and the whole park is truly worth a day trip or longer. It truly is not every day that you get to check out strangely shiny mountains... unless you live in Fairfax or near Enid, in which case you could, theoretically, show up daily. Could these glassy-looking hills be the weirdest geological feature in the USA? Maybe. Come see for yourself!
Unique Natural Wonders in Oklahoma
You didn’t think we were going to end the list with 15, did you? Nah – there are still wonders to be discussed! Four more, to be exact – and don’t get us wrong, there are FAR more natural wonders in Oklahoma to be discovered. This list is just a decently good starting point! No list of natural wonders in the Sooner State would ever be complete without mentioning these three important ones; they might be the coolest items on this list, depending on your interests!
15. Chickasaw National Recreation Area
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Location: Sulphur, Oklahoma
Wow Factor: This incredible preserve is what a lot of Oklahoma used to look like. It’s the closest we can get to going back in time to an era when Oklahoma was a lot more forested than it is now. It’s super cool, and it feels like you’ve left the Sooner State for a lush oasis from the moment you arrive.
Cost: Free, though boat launch permits are $4.
Fun fact: Once upon a time, this land was a national park. It was called Platt National Park, and it was the seventh to be established in the USA. In 1976, the park was abolished and re-designated what it is today. To say the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is gorgeous, untouched land is to only describe a small part of it. The preserve is 9,899 beautiful acres of land like the old days, when Oklahoma was a lot more... brushy... than it is today (at least in the western parts). There are countless water sources for the ultimate warm-weather adventure, from streams and rivers to a lake and even springs! The diversity of this landscape alone makes it worthy of this list a dozen times over.
Fun fact: Once upon a time, this land was a national park. It was called Platt National Park, and it was the seventh to be established in the USA. In 1976, the park was abolished and re-designated what it is today. To say the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is gorgeous, untouched land is to only describe a small part of it. The preserve is 9,899 beautiful acres of land like the old days, when Oklahoma was a lot more... brushy... than it is today (at least in the western parts). There are countless water sources for the ultimate warm-weather adventure, from streams and rivers to a lake and even springs! The diversity of this landscape alone makes it worthy of this list a dozen times over.
16. Alabaster Caverns
Alabaster Caverns State Park is a uniquely beautiful, 200-acre state park whose crown jewel is its ¾-mile deep cavern made of alabaster. Alabaster is a beautiful, rare form of gypsum, making it highly valuable – and this is the largest cave of this kind in the world. Lucky Sooners! Daily tours go every hour from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and reservations two weeks in advance are encouraged. They last about 45 minutes and are incredibly interesting – we can’t recommend one enough. It’s a very one-of-a-kind experience unlike any other in Oklahoma, that’s for sure.
17. The Formations at Black Mesa State Park
The incredible collection of natural wonders that is Black Mesa State Park is, like many of the items on this list, pretty tough to under-state. Not a lot of folks know that what is now Oklahoma was once volcanically active, and this park does an excellent job of transporting us straight back to those formative decades eons ago. The park is 1,600 acres in size and is home to 23 rare plant species. The park is located right nearby Lake Carl Etling. Hikers at the park can hike up to Oklahoma’s highest point, at 4,973 feet above sea level – among lots of other igneous rock formations.
18. Black Kettle National Grasslands
Lovers of that traditional tallgrass prairie in Oklahoma will fall head over heels in love with the sights to be seen at the Black Kettle National Grasslands. There’s more around here than just tallgrass, of course, with this incredibly vast expanse of land being host to a number of lakes, mesas, hills, and more to keep you busy. Anyone on the lookout for those classic Oklahoman kind of places will want to bump this one to the top of their to-do list, ASAP.
So, there you have it: a not-at-all complete list of 18 of the best natural wonders in Oklahoma to add to your outdoor bucket list. Oklahoma is a very, very diverse state in terms of its natural beauty; you’ll be absolutely amazed at just how many different nooks and crannies there are all over the state. Do you have any favorite natural wonders in Oklahoma that we didn’t put on this list? Tell us about them in the comments! And if you can’t seem to get enough, you might also want to check out this natural wonders in Oklahoma road trip!
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