Hiking To This Remote Geological Wonder In Oklahoma Is Like Traveling To Another Planet
By Ashley|Published June 28, 2019
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Ashley
Author
Ashley has lived in Oklahoma for 30 years and is the Oklahoma staff writer for onlyinyourstate.com. When she isn't writing about Oklahoma, she enjoys visiting the beach and exploring new areas.
In case you didn’t know, Oklahoma is home to some of the most diverse topography in the state. There are 11 different ecoregions, ranging from cypress swamps to pine-covered mountains to tallgrass prairies. One of the most unusual terrains in the Sooner State is the Black Mesa area in the most western portion of the state. It’s home to many remote geological wonders that look like you’re on another planet. The area is open to the public and hikeable for most people, so lace up those hiking boots and head west to Black Mesa State Park to check it out.
The Southwestern Tablelands ecoregion in Oklahoma encompasses Black Mesa country in extreme western Oklahoma. It is full of dramatic rock formations, an abundance of wildlife, ancient mesas, rugged beauty, mountains, and shortgrass prairies.
Black Mesa is a plateau that stretches for 28 miles from Colorado, into New Mexico and across the border into Oklahoma. It also boasts the highest point in the state – 4,973 ft. above sea level, so when you get to the top the views are breathtaking.
Here, you can see an aerial drawing of just how big and remote the plateau is. Just make sure and gas up before you head too far west because it's truly that remote.
Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve contains 47 dinosaur prints that were originally discovered in the 1980s. Click here to read about the dinosaurs that once trekked in this place.
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