#Black mesa state park camping series

There is still a variety of sites available. Though the tent sites where closed for our last trip during Covid 19, the RV sites are still open.

Hike of the ridge to the west overlooking the valley, and watch the Milky Way dance across the sky.you can thank me later.īlack Mesa State Park is a really nice campground. Take a telescope, binoculars.whatever you've got. There is a solid reason why this area holds one of the better star parties each year (Okie Tex). There are a few streetlights in the park, but even still the sight was amazing. I've been to many dark skies out west but this one holds its own. Storms were firing overhead during the day while we were there and exploding to the east, pretty amazing sight! Lots of mule deer out here and a few pronghorn. Water can be found in Carrizo Creek just east of the campground area, backed by the cliff-forming Dakota Sandstone (see for more info on the geology of this part of the world, including dino tracks!). The lake to the north has seen better days and is quite low. This trail contours along a ridge and drops into a valley exiting near an outdoor exhibit of petrified wood. There is an enjoyable hiking trail on the west side of the valley behind the visitor center that is fun during the golden hour and sunrise/set. The visitor center was closed while we were there but we did get our sticker for the OK state park 'passport' book. I would suggest the lower numbers of these as the southernmost seemed to be most level. The sites north of these trees and beyond the visitor center are of mixed quality. While the bathroom/shower was open during our COVID getaway, we elected not to use them.

#Black mesa state park camping series

We stayed at site #8, which was part of a series of concrete sites beneath mature cottonwood trees that had a space for RV and TV side-by-side. Some of these are equipped with pavilions and they are all relatively level (gravel).

Upon entering the park from the south you'll pass a few sites on the left up against the west side of the valley. There is a tower just south of the park, but I can tell you it sure as heck isn't for Verizon, might do better with AT&T (had some service there on my truck)! The park wifi is actually not too bad, however. Don't expect great cell service out here. Be mindful of the possibility of burn bans. The area is dry and this is typically the origin of drought conditions, which typically move to the east during the summer. Cows wander across the road, hindered only by the occasional cattle guard. There, the rolling hills and canyons of this small slice of Oklahoma paradise come into view. Upon driving westward out of Boise City (county seat of Cimarron County) the road takes one turn in its 20 miles until the turn off to the park. Black Mesa SP is actually a few miles south and east of the Black Mesa Preserve where the actual Black Mesa high point is located. In fact, the Oklahoma Panhandle's nickname is No Man's Land pretty much because it was so far from most city centers that no one really claimed it for quite some time. We would recommend this location to other Campendium campers. Reservations were made ahead of time on line. No Verizon cell service, but there was WiFi. We have a 320CS and enjoyed the location, worth the drive, and a good stopping spot for us traveling from Colorado to Louisiana. Easy and nice vista walks fro the campsite 1-4miles in length. Watch out with your dog(s) the goat heads and thorny bushes are abundant, stay on the paved areas or on the trails paths. We did not go to the Easter Pageant in Kenton, or morning service, but were told it was the highlight for most folks there. Lots of big rigs, and being Easter the place was full, but guests were respectful. They are constructing a small store for provisions, across from the check in. The balance of the site 6-30(?) are close together in one are just past the Comfort station and are mostly back-in. During the past year this State Park has constructed brand new shower and toilet facilities at the entrance to the RV locations (across the street from the prime sites #1-#5). Stayed one night on April 16th, 2022 (Easter Weekend) despite all the really negative reviews about this State Park.