Are You State Park Savvy? Take Our Oklahoma State Park Quiz

How much do you know about Oklahoma’s state parks? Take our 10-question quiz to see if you’re a state park expert – or if you’re just beginning to discover some of the amazing things to do and see in Oklahoma. When you check your answers, you’ll learn more about these fascinating destinations – all within our home state!

Most of this information came from travelok.com/state-parks/search. Start here when you’re ready to plan your state park getaway.

Editor’s note: You can take the quiz here; or, find an interactive version at tulsakids.secondstreetapp.com/Oklahoma-State-Parks-Quiz/

1. How many state parks does Oklahoma have?

a. 22
b. 38
c. 31
d. 44

2. Which state park is the furthest west?

a. Quartz Mountain
b. Boiling Springs
c. Black Mesa
d. Roman Nose

3. Which state park is a key destination for dune buggy and ATV enthusiasts?

a. Little Sahara
b. Salt Plains
c. Arrowhead
d. Raymond Gary

4. What is Oklahoma’s largest state park?

a. Lake Murray
b. Salt Plains
c. Robbers Cave
d. Beavers Bend

5. Which state park is home to Cathedral Mountain?

a. Quartz Mountain
b. Alabaster Caverns
c. Osage Hills
d. Gloss Mountain

6. While this quiz is primarily about state parks, did you know Oklahoma is also home to the smallest national park? Where is it?

a. Bartlesville
b. Guthrie
c. Hugo
d. Barnsdall

7. Which Grand Lake state park area would you want to visit in October for the city of Grove’s annual Pelican Fest?

a. Grand Lake: Spavinaw
b. Grand Lake: Little Blue
c. Grand Lake: Honey Creek
d.  Grand Lake: Disney

8. At which state park can you scuba dive to see a sunken helicopter?

a. Lake Eufala
b. Keystone
c. Beavers Bend
d. Tenkiller

9. Where the Red Fern Grows was partially filmed in which state park?

a. Natural Falls
b. Robbers Cave
c. Greenleaf
d. Beavers Bend

10. Which state park is home to the remains of a 115-year-old mine?

a. Lake Texoma
b. Fort Cobb
c. Great Plains
d. Sequoyah Bay

Answers:

1. b, 38

They are: Alabaster Caverns, Arrowhead, Beavers Bend, Black Mesa, Boiling Springs, Cherokee Landing, Clayton Lake, Fort Cobb, Foss, Gloss Mountain, Grand Lake: Bernice, Grand Lake: Cherokee, Grand Lake, Disney, Grand Lake: Honey Creek, Grand Lake: Little Blue, Grand Lake: Spavinaw, Grand Lake: Twin Bridges, Great Plains, Greenleaf, Keystone, Lake Eufala, Lake Murray, Lake Texoma, Lake Thunderbird, Lake Wister, Little Sahara, McGee Creek, Natural Falls, Osage Hills, Quartz Mountain, Raymond Gary, Robbers Cave, Roman Nose, Salt Plains, Sequoyah, Sequoyah Bay, Talimena and Tenkiller.

Whew! How many have you visited?

2. c, Black Mesa

Black Mesa State Park – and the neighboring Black Mesa Nature Preserve – is located on the very western end of the Oklahoma panhandle, about 3.5 hours away from the next closest park and bordering Colorado and New Mexico.

Black Mesa Nature Preserve (about 15 miles from the state park) is known for incredible birding opportunities (look for golden eagles, scaled quail and more) as well as the mesa the park is named for, which you can climb if you’re feeling up to a four-hour hike! travelok.com/state-parks/black-mesa-state-park-nature-preserve

Black Mesa State Park. Photo by Chad Crow/Oklahoma Tourism

3. a, Little Sahara

With a name like Little Sahara, this question might have been an easy guess! Little Sahara’s 1,600 acres of sand dunes, “remnants of prehistoric times when the Cimarron River flowed over the entire area,” (travelok.com) make this a truly unique destination. Bring your own ATV or rent one nearby. travelok.com/state-parks/little-sahara-state-park

Little Sahara State Park. Photo by Lori Duckworth/Oklahoma Tourism

4. a, Lake Murray

Not only is Lake Murray Oklahoma’s largest state park at 12,500 acres, it is also our oldest state park! And with all that space, it’s no surprise that Lake Murray is filled with activities and accommodations to suit pretty much everyone. Stay in a campground, cabin or lodge; enjoy water sports, fishing, golf and mini-golf, ATV riding, hiking, mountain biking….and much more. travelok.com/state-parks/lake-murray-state-park

5. d, Gloss Mountain

While you can’t stay overnight at Gloss Mountain State Park, you can wake up early to hike the 1.5-mile trail to the top of Cathedral Mountain to enjoy incredible vistas. (You don’t have to wake up early, however; the park is open from dawn to dusk.) Gloss Mountain State Park is located about 2.5 hours from Tulsa. travelok.com/state-parks/gloss-mountain-state-park

Gloss Mountain State Park. Photo by Lori Duckworth/Oklahoma Tourism

6. b, Guthrie

A clerk’s numerical error in 1907 – discovered decades later – led to Guthrie eventually receiving a Smallest National Park Landmark, which you can find on the grounds of their post office. The city had intended to set aside a 100-foot square of land (10,000 square feet) to commemorate its Land Run office. However, the clerk wrote down “100 square feet.” Oops! travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.25759

7. c, Honey Creek

Grand Lake’s Honey Creek area is located in Grove, which hosts an annual Pelican Festival in the fall featuring a parade, carnival, pelican tours and other family-friendly fun.

If you’re not visiting during the festival, Honey Creek is also conveniently located less than ten minutes from Har-Ber Village Museum, where kids can learn about the pioneer era through hands-on activities. The Lendonwood Gardens are also a short drive away. travelok.com/state-parks/honey-creek-area-at-grand-lake-state-park

8. d, Tenkiller

Now, here’s a unique Oklahoma activity! Tenkiller’s Scuba Park features clear water and fascinating vehicles to explore underwater, including a helicopter, airplane fuselage and school bus. Do some research into getting scuba certified before you head out – ScubaSavvy in Broken Arrow may be a helpful starting place (you must be at least 10 years old to enroll).

If you’re not looking to get scuba certified, Tenkiller is still worth a visit. There are multiple camping options, three trails, including an accessible paved trail, and a nature center. travelok.com/state-parks/tenkiller-state-park

Tenkiller State Park. Photo by Lori Duckworth/Oklahoma Tourism

9. a, Natural Falls

Natural Falls is known for its beautiful scenery, so it’s no wonder the movie chose this as a filming location. Its most iconic feature is a 77-foot waterfall, which visitors can view from both above and below. The falls also contribute to a unique ecosystem, so bring your plant and tree guidebook to help you identify native flora as you hike. Camping amenities include yurts, RV and tent sites. travelok.com/state-parks/natural-falls-state-park

10. c, Great Plains

In addition to mountain biking and hiking trails, rock climbing and water sports, Great Plains State Park contains the remains of the 1904 Gold Belles Mill and Mine, the site of a minimally successful gold-mining operation. Located about 3.5 miles from Tulsa. travelok.com/state-parks/great-plains-state-park

Bonus Fun Facts:

• Alabaster Caverns State Park is home to one of the largest gypsum caves in the world. Take a guided tour!
• Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge, neighboring Salt Plains State Park, is the only place in the world where you can find hourglass-shaped selenite crystals. Crystal digging season is open April 1-October 15.
• Robbers Cave State Park, located in the Sans Bois (“without wood”) mountains, was a respite for outlaws such as Jesse James and Belle Starr.