Oklahoma
66
Oklahoma State Parks
We were at the park this past weekend and found the park to be in great shape. Although there was a bathroom out-of-order, there was another facility available that was very clean and accessible. The Park Ranger Holly was AWESOME She gave us guides on what to do. We were able to fit hiking, formation viewing, dino tracks, fishing, and star gazing all in one great day All I would recommend is be prepared There is NOTHING close by so, bring what you want to have with you. We are tent campers so, be sure you have good tent stakes as it gets very windy. Great time, great sites, good people. We went to observe the skies thru our telescopes. although the RV camping area has pole lights on at all times, we were able to move a little higher and had an unbelievable view from horizon to horizon, no lights. We had very strong winds one day, but Tucker, the park ranger came to check on us. He keeps everything very clean and in order, thanks Tucker. Our recent stay at Black Mesa was great. We tent camped by the stream watched fish jump out of the water, did a couple of the hikes and relaxed. The park is well maintained with hot showers and was never more than half full the three days we were there in mid sept 2015. Stock up on supplies in Boise City there was one small store in Kenton but it was closed the times that we were there. Overal it was a great experience. The lake is full and feshly stocked with trout and catfish. Recently, my young sons and I visited the park and lake and the experience brought back wonderful memories. I had never seen the lake with water for the last time that I saw the lake was 55 years ago when my father, Paul McCabe built the dam. I remember playing in the creek as the dozers pushed and leveled and scapers hauled the fill for the dam. The rock bluff background was in almost all of the old photographs. The Park Manager was kind and informative. Thanks for the opportunity to relay our experience.
The lake is almost completely dry, but it still makes for a nice place to spend the evening when in the panhandle. Good facilities and a quiet night.
The lake is dried up. My daughter attended a youth camp there in June 2011 - no water in the hole. Bummer. Camp Hosts were a great help when we found we didnt have the proper equipment to change a flat tire!! As for the lake, yes there is some water in it as we got 3 1/2 inches of rain (in 2 hrs) on Aug 18th. Very quiet, well maintained, Rolla does a fantasatic job. We recommend the drive from Kenton to Raton NM on hwy 456 and 72...lots of wildlife, anteloupe, mule deer, and mountain goats...awesome trip! BEWARE, there is 17 miles of dirt road...but worth every mile!
Is there any water in the lake yet?? We were there several years ago----it was bone dry. Our family spent four plus hours at the park Saturday. Everything was very nice although the signage for the summit seemed confusing. We were fortunate to get some help in the park and to run into two other hikers who had the same trouble before finding the summit trailhead. Make sure you have your bug spray because they were out in force. No snakes or other wildlife and all in all a very rewarding hike. We have children ages 10 and 13, and they both made the eight mile round trip in great shape. Quiet, tranquil, no crowds, breathe taking! We agree with the last posting in that this is a very good run park. When goiing to New Mexico from Tulsa its only 20 miles or less from Hwy 412 and then easly road to Clayton. Would recommend to all. If you need a spot to simply relax, this place has it. The campgrouds is very neatly kept. You can bike or travel by other means and see spactular wonders of nature. It is close to other ares of pure visionary wonder like Mt. Capulon and other sites along the way. It has dinosaur tracks, 3 state marker, old country church buildings, hideouts and much more. There is no need to hurry there is plenty of time to view it all at a reasonable price and very little to disturb you.
