#okstatepark

We drove across the panhandle of Oklahoma to Black Mesa State Park. We were greeted by a herd of cattle just near the entrance as the sun was setting. Between Guymon and Boise City we found the longest straight highway in the United States. This section of Oklahoma is probably what most people who haven't traveled much of Oklahoma think all of the state looks like. We also visited Beaver Park in Beaver Oklahoma and found more sand dunes for hiking and off highway vehicles. They have campgrounds near the dunes and then another set near a small lake. . #blackmesa #beaverpark #okstatepark #sanddunes #dunes #longstraighthighway #cattle #sunset #plains #greatplains #nwoklahoma #nomansland #panhandle #travelok #oklahoma #myoklahoma #thisisoklahoma #oklahomaphotography #discoveroklahoma #onlyinoklahoma (at Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRZXmZqhNqQ/?utm_medium=tumblr

Today's tour of Northwest Oklahoma includes Alabaster Canyon State Park. It is the largest natural gypsum cave in the world that is open to the public. We saw frogs, salamanders and bats. The guide said the bats aren't seen very often. We took the first tour of the morning so that may have increased our odds. The main cavern extends 0.75 miles, is about 60 feet wide and 50 feet high. The cavern branches into boulder formations and smaller caves. A small stream flows through the cavern, fed by various lateral tunnels and seepage from the roof. In the geologic past, the river was once capable of completely filling the cavern, as the cave walls and gypsum formations show evidence of sculpting by rapidly flowing water. The gypsum is mostly in the form of alabaster. There are several types of alabaster found at the site, including pink, white, and the rare black alabaster. Selenite crystal formations are also found here. We took a guided tour, but the park also allows free caving by permit. . #alabastercaverns #okstatepark #caves #spelunking #salamander #travelok #oklahoma #myoklahoma #thisisoklahoma #oklahomaphotography #discoveroklahoma #onlyinoklahoma (at Alabaster Caverns State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CRXO2eRBZ6U/?utm_medium=tumblr

Little Blue is another great Oklahoma State Park with an awesome swimming hole and campground. You can Jeep to the West side from the trails at Disney or drive to the campground from the highway. #bluehole #OKstatepark #campgrounds #disneyok #travelok #oklahoma #myoklahoma #thisisoklahoma #oklahomaphotography #discoveroklahoma #onlyinoklahoma #landscapes #rvlife #swimminghole (at Little Blue-Disney State Park) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQHJtSPBkaR/?utm_medium=tumblr