![]() There are sections of flat terrain traversing grasslands, sections of uphill ascent, and sections of wide open expanses walking on the face of the plateau. But as I said before, this is such a unique region due to the worlds of central grasslands and Rocky Mountains clashing, that it is a fascinating and enjoyable hike.Įven though Oklahoma may not be known as a “diverse” hiking environment, this hike accomplishes just that. It is in a very remote corner of an under-rated state, when it comes to outdoor opportunities and hiking. The Black Mesa high point trail is not a trail that is going to garnish a lot of recognition or renown. Fill up with gas, food, water, etc., before arriving.įull Trail Report for Black Mesa Oklahoma The location of this park and hike is very remote. ![]() Pet Friendly: Yes to leashed pets, if your pet is conditioned to hiking long distancesįees / Park Hours / Facilities: There is no fee to hike the highest point in Oklahoma! Parking is available at the trailhead, and there is a restroom as well. Rating: Moderate, due to some incline and length of trail Map of Black Mesa Oklahoma and the surrounding area Quick Facts on Black Mesa Oklahoma: the Highest Point in Oklahomaīlack Mesa Trail from trailhead to summit Black Mesa State Park is located a short distance south of the Black Mesa Nature Preserve, where the hike to the highest point in Oklahoma is located. The nearest small town to the Black Mesa trailhead is in Kenton, Oklahoma. Hiking Black Mesa Oklahoma, the highest point in Oklahoma!īlack Mesa Oklahoma is located literally only minutes from the Colorado and New Mexico borders, in far northwestern Oklahoma. A hike up Black Mesa Oklahoma not only allows you to check off a state high point hike, but it gives you first hand experience of what this symbiotic blending of United States topographies looks like up close. It is a perfect blending of geographies, environments, and ecosystems, and it is what makes this area very unique. Black Mesa Oklahoma is home to eagles, quail, black bears, bobcats, mountain lions, mule deer, antelope, and big horn sheep. Unique wildlife can be found here, with western dwelling species at their most eastern reaches, and eastern dwelling species at their most western reaches. What is unique about this area, and the Black Mesa hike, is that it is THEpoint where the Rocky Mountains of the west meet the central prairie grasslands. Black Mesa Nature Preserve is open from dawn to dusk only, and there is no camping within the Nature Preserve borders. The hike to the highest point in Oklahoma, atop of Black Mesa, is found on the Nature Preserve part.īlack Mesa State Park is adjacent to Lake Carl Etling, and offers campsites for overnight guests. The state park and nature preserve that house Black Mesa Oklahoma, are actually two separate entities, approximately 15 miles apart. Gear Recommendations for Hiking Black MesaĪ melding of central grasslands and western Rockiesīlack Mesa State Park and Black Mesa Nature Preserve.This guide to hiking Black Mesa includes: Black Mesa Oklahoma is an expanse of hike-able grasslands and plains, bordered by a ridge of mesas, vistas, and plateaus. What you find here at Black Mesa is a taste of both of these unique geographies blended seamlessly together – the end of the Rocky Mountains melding into the plains of central America. To the very near northwest lies the famed topography and Rocky Mountains of Colorado, and to the south and east lie the open plains and grasslands of Oklahoma and Texas. The dark skies draw countless astronomy enthusiasts every year for ideal star gazing conditions, most especially, in August when the annual Perseid meteor shower is visible.This corner of the Sooner State really melds the characteristics of the surrounding regions. In addition to being an excellent location for wildlife watching, Black Mesa boasts some of the darkest nighttime skies on publicly accessible land in the country. Black bear, bobcat, mountain lion, mule deer, bighorn sheep and antelope are some of the mammals you might also spot while hiking around. Golden eagles, scaled quail, black-billed magpies and pinyon jays are just a few of the birds that may be observed. ![]() Here, the Rocky Mountains meet the shortgrass prairie, a unique area where many species are at the easternmost or westernmost portions of their range.īlack Mesa is a birder's paradise any time of the year. The Black Mesa area supports 31 state rare species 23 plants and eight animals. Visitors to the preserve can hike to the top of the plateau, Oklahoma's highest point at 4,973 feet above sea level. Black Mesa takes its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated the mesa about 30 million years ago. Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve is located in Oklahoma's panhandle along the tri-state border with Colorado, New Mexico and Texas.
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