Black Mesa State Park is a nature preserve in the tip of the panhandle of Oklahoma that features a 9 mile round trip hike to the state’s highest point at 4,973 feet. Black Mesa comes by the name naturally, as it is capped by a large, black lava layer that appears to be unique for the area.

Part of the Black Mesa at Black Mesa State Park, OK

Black Mesa a fun desert hike with lots of scenery and wildlife to view. The hike is about 4.2 miles from the trail head to the highest point, and has almost 800 feet of elevation gain in a short section toward the end of the third mile. The trail begins by wandering along the desert floor next to Black Mesa for almost three miles. There are also very nice views of the desert floor, the mesas, and parts of the trail from various vantage points along the hike. The views are best in the first three miles.

One of the views along the trail

Toward the end of the third mile the trail winds back towards the mesas and starts up a small cone shaped section. The climb is a short half mile and relatively easy, with some rocks and gravel across the trail. At the top the trail continues back into the middle of the mesa for about 3/4 of a mile to the marker for Oklahoma’s highest point. The marker is a nice granite obelisk, but because of it’s position towards the middle of the mesa doesn’t really offer a great view.

Marker at Oklahoma’s highest point

You can continue slightly farther past the marker to get to the edge of the mesa for a very nice scenic view into New Mexico.

View from Black Mesa, OK

The trail and the trail head are both very well marked, and the trail head features a pit toilet and informational signage about the area. The desert environment can be very dry and hot, so ensure you prepare properly and bring plenty of water. The area is also very remote, but does offer cellular service from higher up on the mesa.

We camped at the nearby Black Mesa State Park, which is an approximately 10 mile drive from the trail head. There are unfortunately no real amenities nearby, other than those offered by the state park. The nearest town is Kenton, OK. But, the only store there has closed permanently and there are no gas stations or other infrastructure available (info from our visit in 2018).