Featured Place to Visit Near Enid

Alabaster Caverns - 580-621-3381
The State Park is home to the largest gypsum cave in the world with guided tours. Massive boulders of alabaster are seen here in many varied colors--pink, white, and even a rare black. Nature created the underground site 200 million years ago when the area was covered by an inland sea. A perennial stream flowing through the cave is fed by various lateral tunnels and seepage from the roof. What is now a tiny brook, was once a roaring river and you can still see the evidence in the sculptured gypsum formations. www.greatsaltplains.com/alabaster_caverns.htm

Beaver State Park - 580-625-3373
Approximately 520 acres in size, Beaver Dunes State Park is located in Oklahoma's panhandle region, near the city of Beaver. This park is in an area of many environmental contrasts between quiet, sheltered low pockets amidst high sand dunes exposed to the harsh panhandle elements. www.lasr.net/pages/park.php?Park_ID=OK06sp003Black Mesa - 580-426-2222

Black Mesa Located just outside the town of Kenton, OK…
Only Oklahoma city on Mountain Time! (Editor’s note: To locate Kenton on an Oklahoma map, look in the upper left hand corner of the panhandle, almost to New Mexico) Wonderful Bed and Breakfast (Black Mesa B&B). Only one general store in Kenton. Very isolated area. Driving time to Kenton is approximately 7.5 hours from Tulsa. Black Mesa is 4,973 feet above sea level (Editor’s note: This is the tallest point in Oklahoma) www.oktrails.com/Oklahoma/black_mesa.htm

Boiling Springs -
580-256-7664 At one time these springs had the appearance of "boiling" as the sandy-bottomed spring was churned with the strong inflow of sub-surface water. Today, the springs still produce about 30 gallons of water a minute. Park visitors can enjoy this Northwest Forest of Hackberry, Walnut, Chinaberry, Oak, and Elm tree groves. Boiling Springs State Park offers a true Oasis for Whitetail Deer, wild Turkey, Raccoon, Coyote, Bobcat, Beaver, Badger, Rabbit, Skunk, Opossum, and Humans. The timeless waters of natural springs brought early Plains Indians to the area, then wind-whipped cowboys and weary settlers. Today, Park visitors can enjoy the spirit of the area and it's past at one of Oklahoma's first State Parks. www.woodwardok.com/parks/boilingsprings.htm

Oklahoma’s Glass Mountains
Gypsum formations offer oasis for picnicking, hiking and stargazing
BY ANDREW GRIFFIN
AGRIFFIN@LAWTON-CONSTITUTION.COM
LAWTON CONSTITUTION STAFF WRITER
FAIRVIEW — In Major County, halfway between Enid and Woodward, is a stunning natural formation of mesas and buttes known as the Glass Mountains — or sometimes called the Gloss Mountains — due to their shiny appearance.
    The natural glossiness is reportedly due to gypsum in the formations and was noted by early Spanish explorers passing through the area. One explorer called them the Shining Mountains in his journal, according to ShopOklahoma the mountains were known as the Glass Mountains but pronounced “gloss” locally.
    The three largest peaks are Lone Peak, followed by Cathedral Mountain and a third, unnamed mesa.
    Notes the site: “(R)esearch reveals a surveyor’s camp was set up on the east side of what is now Gloss Mountain State Park. One morning when they awoke, one of the men of British or Bostonian decent saw the sun glistening on the side of the mountain where many sparkling pieces of selenite lay. He exclaimed, ‘It sure looks like glaws.’” Supposedly, a cartographer identified them as the Gloss Mountains. Another theory was they simply looped the “a” making it appear to be an “o.” Later maps were corrected to read “Glass Mountains.”
    Located in the range is Gloss Mountain State Park, where visitors can picnic, hike, or even stargaze at night. Rex Sproul, director of the Fairview Chamber of Commerce, said that although many people living in and around the mountains take them for granted, they still are a big draw.
    “Every season the area takes on a different look,” Sproul said. “The history out there is pretty unique in that a couple of outlaws frequented the area.”
    In the 1890s, the most famous outlaws in the area were horse thieves and all-around bandits Ike Black and Dick “Zip Wyatt” Yeager. Historical accounts report that Black and Yeager were in the “Gyp Hills” (Gloss Mountains) during the hot summer of 1895 when they were caught up in a shootout in what is now northern Blaine County. Black was killed in the gun battle, and Yeager escaped with a bullet wound, only to be shot again by a posse. He was later caught and taken to Hennessey, then to Enid, where he later died.
    In addition to picnicking, hiking and stargazing, Sproul said visitors may view a variety of wildlife in the area, while students and hobbyists may study geological formations including gypsum, salt, copper sand, gravel and spar.
    Brenda Marsalis is the office manager at Little Sahara State Park, located approximately 20 miles to the northwest of Glass Mountains. She said tourists often visit the mountains after a day of racing on the natural sand dunes at Little Sahara.
    Mark Stubsten, with the Gloss Mountain Conservancy in Fairview, said the 640-acre park has been improved in recent years and is much more visitor friendly. With the discovery of oil and gas in the Glass Mountains proper, it has also become a popular area for drilling. Go straight West from Enid to Fairview on US HW 60.
   For more information on Gloss Mountain State Park, go to www.okmajordev.org or call (580) 227-2512.

Great Salt Plains -
580-626-4731 The Great Salt Plains Lake area of NW Oklahoma is rich with natural wonders to discover. We offer you Nature Tourism at its finest! The crystal digging area is open from April 1 to October 15 each year. There is no charge to dig crystals. Take Hwy 64 west of Jet to Salt Plains sign, turn N on dirt road. www.greatsaltplains.com on how to dig for crystals.

Little Sahara State Park -
580-824-1471 Little Sahara State Park is located in NW Oklahoma, south of Waynoka. Little Sahara offers over 1600 acres of rideable sand dunes ranging in height from 25 to 75 feet. Amenities include showers, picnic areas, RV hookups with electric/water and tent sites. Seasonal concessions provide refreshment, and fuel and grocery are located nearby. Rates are $16 for RV sites, $8 for tent sites, and $7 per driver for dune trails. Alabaster Caverns State Park, Boiling Springs State Park, Great Salt Plains State Park, and the scenic Gloss Mountains are within driving distance. Must bring your own Dune Buggy to ride dunes. www.greatsaltplains.com/little_sahara state park.htm

Roman Nose State Park -
580-623-7281 Roman Nose Resort Park is located on SH-8 and SH-8A seven miles north of Watonga, 81 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, near Lakes Watonga and Boecher. Once a favorite area of the Cheyenne tribe, this area is a scenic retreat set on a canyon bluff that overlooks ancient mesas. Towering cedars, buffalo grass, and wild blue sage add to the beauty of the legendary setting, and to the enjoyment of numerous recreational activities.
www.watonga.com/romannose/