I completed my yearly trek to Black Mesa State Park during the autumn new moon! It was wonderful as expected and I hope that you’re able to make it there one day to experience the dark skies found out west. I’ll let you know what to expect and show you some of the awesome stuff that’s found in the park and in the nature preserve. There’s so much to do in the panhandle and you should visit too!
Useful Links
Pros
- The best dark skies for stargazing
- The park is open year-round
- A large playground area
- Easy hiking trail to the highest point in Oklahoma
Cons
- Old bathroom and shower facilities
- Little on-park hiking options
- The lake is constantly low
- The nature preserve is located about 15 miles away
- Greywater disposal will waft into the park when the sprinklers are on by the bathroom
Black Mesa State Park
Black Mesa State Park was the base camp for all the adventures around the area. The nearest community is Boise City to the southeast and is about 25 miles away. The park is a small-sized state park and only really designed for RVs, tent camping, and group camps. There are not many trails to hike and unfortunately, the lake it is located next to is inexplicably low most of the year. But what the camp lacks in hiking or trails, it makes up in character and dark skies!
Stargazing is the park’s main attraction. It has recently applied to be a member of the International Dark Sky Association and is awaiting approval. The park has shut down many of its telephone pole lamps and other park lights to reduce light pollution. They have also installed motion lighting and downward-facing LED lights that only turn on when someone is near. Make sure to bring your red flashlight to walk to the bathroom because on a moonless night it will be very dark.
Facilities and Amenities
The toilets at Black Mesa State Park. 
The toilet in the bathroom at Black Mesa State Park. 
The sinks in the men’s bathroom at Black Mesa State Park. 
The shower at Black Mesa State Park. 
The shower at Black Mesa State Park men’s bathroom.
The state park has one main bathroom area and it’s located at 36.840347, -102.882220. It is a basic setup and has two sinks, two bathrooms, and two showers. The showers did have hot water and the drains worked in the men’s bathroom. This was good news because we visited in October 2020 and it was starting to get cold. The drain didn’t work well in the ladies’ bathroom. Be ready for some water on the floor regardless. The Black Mesa website says the group camping area will be closed for the winter starting 1 Nov until 1 May and appears to be the only winterization the park does.
Each of the RV spots had an individual water spigot and had 20 and 30 amp plugs. I tent camped and used a heated mattress pad to stay warm during the colder part of the night. The camp spot had a fire circle and a charcoal grill. I have a grill grate that I use to cook in the event there isn’t a cooking surface on the fire pit. There are also concrete picnic tables with some spots having covered tables while others do not so make sure to check. There are also several tent areas in the main park, along the creek, and even on the east side of the lake if you really want to get away from it all.
Lake Carl Etling is right next to the lake and the creek that flows into the reservoir is right next to several camping spots so if that’s important to you make sure to stay next to the creek. The lake is usually very low and hasn’t been full in several years. People do fish in the creek and lake but I am unsure of the quantity of fish due to how low the lake is. Regardless, it is still a nice area and some people are always fishing all around the lake.
Black Mesa Nature Preserve
Sammy at the top of the Black Mesa at the highest point in Oklahoma. 
The view to the south from the Black Mesa overlooking Kenton Oklahoma. 
The obelisk at the top of Black Mesa in the panhandle of Oklahoma.
The Black Mesa is the namesake for the state park and the nature preserve. There is a hiking trail that goes to the highest point in the state. It starts at 36.957540, -102.956465. The trailhead starts a 4.5-mile hike one way. Please check the Black Mesa State Park website to make sure the preserve is open during hot weather because it closes to avoid rescues from heat exhaustion. The preserve is also only open during daylight hours. You cannot camp on the top of the mesa either.
The hike is pretty easy except for the switchbacks that go up the side of the mesa but the other portions are flat. There are plenty of things to see at the top. You’ll find an obelisk and a geocache. You can also walk to the south and see the city of Kenton and the plain below. You can also keep walking and make it to the border even though there isn’t any real way to find the line.
My Thoughts on Black Mesa State Park
A view of the stars and the campground at Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma. 
A picture of the Andromeda Galaxy taken at Black Mesa State Park. 
A picture of Andromeda Galaxy from Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma.
Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve is a hidden gem in the entire state of Oklahoma, bar none! What the park may lack in activities on the small reservation it makes up with great scenery and beautiful dark skies! The park even has an “old school” playground. It has swings and even a merry-go-round which isn’t found in too many playgrounds these days. The nature preserve to the north is beautiful and easily accessible.
The park is 5 hours from Oklahoma City. This park is worth the drive! There are several issues and problems with the park and it would be easy to skip because it is small, a little older, and in a far off corner. But for many folks, even country folk, many may never get to experience the wide-open spaces and beautiful sky that one can only find in this part of the country. Add Black Mesa State Park to your list of “must go” destinations now!
The Bathrooms
The Camp Site
The State Park
Amenities
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Featured Article
According to the state park website, the park is open all year except for certain parts of the park.
The trail from the trailhead to the obelisk monument is about 4.5 miles one way.
The highest elevation in Oklahoma is located in the Black Mesa Nature Preserve and found on top of the Black Mesa in the northwestern part of the panhandle. According to the USGS, the elevation is 4,973 feet above sea level.