Here are 12 outlandish Oklahoma rock formations worth every mile of hikes and rough driving:
- Gloss Mountain State Park — Known for its commanding mesas including Lookout Mountain, Cathedral Mountain, and Lone Peak with unique gypsum and selenite formations carved by erosion. The trails offer steep climbs with breathtaking overlooks.
- Black Mesa Summit Trail — Oklahoma’s highest point featuring volcanic rock formations and panoramic views. The trail climbs through juniper forests and shortgrass prairie to a unique mesa top.
- Natural Falls State Park — Famous for its 77-foot waterfall and dramatic rock formations, this park offers peaceful hikes through rugged terrain with striking rock beds and canyon overlooks.
- Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park — Offers distinctive sandstone cliffs and desert rock formations with several trail options, including the 3.8-mile Rim Trail with vivid red rock vistas.
- McGee Creek Natural Scenic Trail — Contains multiple canyon overlooks and rock formations in a pristine wilderness area with steep and peaceful hiking loops.
- Osage Hills State Park Creek Trail — Features rocky bluffs and hills, offering moderate but scenic hikes among native oak and cedar groves.
- Beaver’s Bend River Trail — Along the Mountain Fork River with a mix of rocky sections, waterfalls, and unique shale rock outcroppings.
- Narrows Canyon (Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge) — A visually stunning canyon with rock formations and a hidden waterfall along a moderately challenging trail.
- Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area — Combines rock outcrops with forest and urban landscapes, offering rugged trails and varied rock formations.
- Fall River Falls Trail — Located within the Kiamichi Mountains, this trail features rocky outcrops and cascades through a dense forest setting.
- Quartz Mountain Nature Park — Known for sparkling quartz crystal formations and rugged hiking terrain with dramatic rocky ridges.
- Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area — Offers rugged trails with exposed rock faces and panoramic views over the Ouachita Mountains.
These sites mix mesas, sandstone cliffs, volcanic rocks, and unique mineral deposits, promising varied hiking challenges and striking natural beauty for adventurous travelers in Oklahoma.
SOURCES
[1](https://onlybyland.com/hiking-trails-in-oklahoma/)
[2](https://proactiveoutside.wordpress.com/2020/08/28/exploring-oklahomas-gloss-mountain-state-park/)
[3](https://www.tripadvisor.in/Attractions-g28957-Activities-c61-t87-Oklahoma.html)
[4](https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/nature/caves-rock-formations/oklahoma)
[5](https://www.backpacker.com/trips/no-seriously-go-hiking-in-oklahoma/)
