Oklahoma’s 14 Most Criminally Underrated Natural Gems

The Gorgeous Sooner State

Oklahoma isn’t just endless plains and oil derricks, despite what your coastal friends might tell you. The Sooner State is secretly home to some of the most jaw-dropping spots you’ve probably never heard of, from hidden waterfalls to legit mountains (yes, actual mountains) that’ll make you completely rethink those “boring flyover state” jokes. Here are some of our favorites.

A 54-Mile Mountain Drive Through Ouachita Forest

This scenic road takes you through forests filled with maple, oak, and hickory trees that turn bright red and gold in fall. You can stop at 22 viewpoints to see three states from elevations reaching 2,681 feet.

The winding road features steep climbs and sharp turns, with hiking trails branching off into the wilderness. Black bears and deer roam the forest, while more than 100 species of birds make their home in the trees.

Turner Falls

Turner Falls pours into a natural pool surrounded by limestone cliffs that formed 350 million years ago. The blue-green water stays at 50 degrees year-round, and you can explore three caves in the area.

The park covers 1,500 acres with several smaller pools and sandy beaches for relaxing. Deer and wild turkeys often visit the falls in the early morning hours when the area is quiet.

White Salt Plains

These salt flats cover 11,000 acres and sparkle white in the sun like a field of snow. The area produces unique hourglass-shaped crystals that aren’t found anywhere else in the world. The plains formed when an ancient ocean repeatedly flooded and dried up.

From April to October, visitors can dig for these special crystals. Shallow pools dot the white landscape, attracting many migrating birds throughout the year.

The Gloss Mountains

The Gloss Mountains rise sharply from the prairie with red walls topped by sparkling mineral deposits. The selenium in the rocks creates a glittering effect that makes the mountains shine.

A moderate hike up Cathedral Mountain leads to the best views of the surrounding grasslands. At sunrise and sunset, the mountains seem to glow as sunlight hits their mineral-covered surfaces.

Dripping Springs Falls

Dripping Springs Falls cascades through a narrow valley in the Ozark Highlands. The surrounding rocks and thick plant growth create special conditions where rare ferns and mosses grow. In winter, parts of the waterfall freeze into beautiful ice formations.

Black Mesa

Black Mesa stands 4,973 feet high, featuring rugged desert terrain shaped by ancient lava flows. The black basalt rock creates a striking contrast against the landscape.

Hikers can see across Oklahoma, Colorado, and New Mexico from the top. The park’s remote location makes it perfect for viewing stars, as it has some of the darkest night skies in the country.

Alabaster Caverns

Alabaster Caverns features rare black alabaster walls streaked with white crystal formations. The cave extends for three-quarters of a mile underground, providing a home for five bat species. Guided tours show you remarkable rock formations that took millions of years to develop. The cave maintains the same cool temperature throughout the year.

Chickasaw Recreation Area

Chickasaw Recreation Area combines fresh and mineral springs with clear streams and lakes. The area features several natural swimming spots, including the popular Little Niagara Falls. Old oak and sycamore trees shade the hiking trails throughout the park.

Robbers Cave

Robbers Cave sits among the Sans Bois Mountains, named for the outlaws like Jesse James who once used it as a hideout. Large boulders and cliffs make it popular for climbing and rappelling. The park features hidden valleys, mountain streams, and several lakes surrounded by dense forest.

The Wichita Mountains

The Wichita Mountains rise suddenly from the plains, providing a home for buffalo, elk, and longhorn cattle. Mount Scott offers clear views across the entire refuge. The area includes several lakes and unusual features like the Parallel Forest, where trees were planted exactly 10 feet apart in 1912.

Lake Tenkiller

Lake Tenkiller’s green waters and rocky shores make it a favorite spot for scuba diving in Oklahoma. The unusually clear water lets divers explore a sunken town, old boats, and underwater rock formations. Steep limestone cliffs drop straight into the water along much of the shoreline.

Red Rock Canyon

Red Rock Canyon’s bright walls stand out against the surrounding prairie. The unique environment supports plants usually found much farther east. Old wagon wheel marks from pioneers heading west can still be seen along the California Road Trail. Rock climbers often visit to scale the canyon’s walls.

Greenleaf State Park

Greenleaf State Park centers around a calm lake in Oklahoma’s eastern forest. Large rock outcrops create viewing points overlooking the lake and nearby hills. A special pond for children’s fishing sits among weeping willow trees. Spring brings bright blooms from dogwood and redbud trees throughout the park.

McGee Creek

McGee Creek covers 25,000 acres of land largely unchanged by modern development. Thick forests, steep hills, and rocky outcrops create challenging terrain for hiking. Clear streams provide good fishing for smallmouth bass and perch. Unmarked trails let visitors explore this wild area at their own pace.