Posted in Oklahoma Hiking, Nature March 16, 2022 by

If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Oklahoma, Make Them These

One of the best ways to explore Oklahoma’s natural beauty is by lacing up your hiking boots and heading for the hills. If you somehow only have a little bit of time to fit in a few trails before you die, we recommend these five. Here are some of the best hikes in Oklahoma that deserve a spot on everyone’s bucket list:

1. Dripping Springs Trail at Natural Falls State Park
Phan Ly/flickr
Visit Natural Falls State Park to hike the short, easy Dripping Springs Trail. Start at the parking lot and take a quick walk to the falls. If you want to see the view from below, descend 88 stairs for a closer view! Learn more about this amazing place in this article.
Natural Falls State Park, 19225 E 578 Rd, Colcord, OK 74338, USA
2. Canyon Hike At Red Rock Canyon State Park
John Regan/flickr
You'll actually find three trails at Red Rock Canyon State Park; two easy hikes and one more strenuous trail. Regardless of which you choose, you'll be enchanted by the red canyon walls that stretch as high as 80 feet above your head, and the historical markers from the remnants of the California Road. Be sure to check this older article out to learn more.
Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park, 116 Red Rock Canyon Rd, Hinton, OK 73047, USA
3. Trails In The Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge
Larry Smith/flickr
The Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge includes 60,000 acres of incredible beauty, and you'll find 15 miles of trails. There's a trail here for every skill level, so choose the one that's most appropriate for you. It's almost unfair how beautiful Oklahoma is.
Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, 32 Refuge Headquarters Road, Indiahoma, OK 73552, USA
4. The Old Frisco Trail
TrailLink
The Old Frisco Trail is a 6.5-mile rails-to-trails hike that leads you through some of Oklahoma's most rural scenery. The trail follows the old track of the Frisco Railroad. This mostly level trail is perfect for hikers of all abilities, and you'll love the trestle bridges along the way. This is one hike you don't want to miss.
Old Frisco Trail, Wister, OK, USA
5. Trail To The Top of Black Mesa
Oklahoma Tourism/Facebook
Take a hike to the top of Black Mesa- the highest point in Oklahoma. The trail is about four miles long, and considered somewhat strenuous. You'll start by hiking two miles through the gorgeous valley, then another mile to the mesa, and a final mile to the summit's spectacular view. Learn more about it in this article.
Black Mesa, Oklahoma 73946, USA

If you made a list with the top best hikes in Oklahoma, which trails in Oklahoma would you include? Share your list with us in the comments – we love hearing from you!

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Best Hikes In Oklahoma

March 20, 2022
Tori Jane

What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Oklahoma?  

Oklahoma is an underrated hiking destination. Sure, we don’t have the mountains and gorges that, say, Colorado has, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have some great hiking trails. Of the more than 400 epic trails around Oklahoma, at least a quarter of those could be considered kid-friendly; among the best hiking trails in Oklahoma for families is the Wichita Mountains Forty-Foot Hole, which is 1.4 miles long and nestled within the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. Another great kid-friendly trail in Oklahoma is the Tree Trail at Beaver Bend State Park, which is 1.2 miles long and easy even for younger children. Other hikes in Oklahoma to consider are ones like the Jed Johnson Tower Trail (1.4 miles long), the Sutton Wilderness Trail (1.4 miles long), and finally, the North Cedar Creek Waterfall Trail (0.8 miles long). Want more ideas for short and sweet hikes in the Sooner State? Check this article out.  

What are some of the most popular scenic hikes in Oklahoma?  

As we alluded to above, Oklahoma isn’t exactly a mountainous region, but hey – at least we know how to get our hike on! In fact, there are lots of popular trails that weave all over the state, and a lot of them are scenic hikes in Oklahoma. Some of the most beloved, popular hikes in Oklahoma that we can’t get enough of include the Friends Trail Loop, at Beavers Bend State Park, which is one and a half miles long and rated as moderately difficult; it follows along the Lower Mountain Fork River and is quite beautiful. Then, there’s Elk Mountain Trail, which is found within Charon's Garden Wilderness Area; it encompasses a lot of the beauty of the region, and it’s a perfect hike for those afternoons where you want to get out and about but not for long, as it takes under two hours to complete on average. Finally, the third most popular scenic hike in Oklahoma is Turkey Mountain via Yellow Trail; it’s 3.7 miles long and a must-do for Oklahoma hiking enthusiasts.