Red Carpet Country, Oklahoma
A vast prehistoric sea that covered what's now northwestern Oklahoma colored the soil a deep red-brown -- and left a few other surprised as well. Like the cedar-flecked canyons in Roman Nose State Park, carved by receding water, or the Alabaster Caverns, the world's largest gypsum-lined cave. Shifting sand dunes tower 40 feet high at Little Sahara State Park and the 4,973-foot-high, lava topped Black Mesa near Kenton was created by an ancient volcano. The mesa, the state's highest point, has long been a have for wildlife and for hikers -- some of them bigger than others, as nearby dinosaur footprints testify. The prairies were once dotted with tipis; northwest Oklahoma were the winter campgrounds for the Cheyenne-- the last great herd of buffalo on the Oklahoma plains was spotted near Fort Supply in the 1870s. Two decades later, the largest of all the land runs took place when the Cherokee Outlet was opened in1893 to settlement. In a single afternoon, 100,000 men and women raced to claim 160-acre quarter-sections; some of their great-grandchildren still live on original homesteads. In Aline, the Sod House Museum shelters the only remaining sod house in the state, built in 1849.
Explore Red Carpet Country
Antelope Hills
The distinctive formations of the Antelope Hills were a landmark for Spanish explorers in the 1500
Cheyenne, OK LandmarksBlack Mesa Archaeology
Black Mesa's history began millions of years ago when pre-historic beasts like the 65
, OK ArchaeologyBoiling Springs Golf Course
Golfers will relish the challenge and beauty of Boiling Springs Golf Course. Set in the beauty of a secluded, wooded area, this 18-hole public course is rated one of the top ten courses in the state, complete with putting green, driving range, pro shop, golf carts, and pull carts.
Woodward, OK Golf CoursesNorthwestern Oklahoma State Museum
Northwestern Oklahoma State University Museum houses one of the top taxidermic bird collections in the United States and also has natural history exhibits, fossils, and Indian artifacts.
Alva, OK MuseumsSalt Flats and Selenite Crystals
The salt plains are a unique geological area. Visitors may enjoy viewing the near perfectly flat 11,000-acre barren area with the wafer thin salt crust or dig for the Famous Salt Plains selenite crystals with the hour-glass sand inclusion.
Cherokee, OK Natural AttractionsThe Joseph Foucart Building
Perhaps the most striking building in the downtown Perry business district area is the two-story red brick structure listed on the National Register of Historic Places
Perry, OK Historic BuildingsPonca Chief, Standing Bear
Standing Bear won the battle for himself and for all Native Americans to become "persons" under United States law. His fight for his land and his dignity has been recorded as one of the first victories for civil rights in America.
Ponca City, OK Ethnic HeritageBeaver River Wildlife Management Area
The Beaver River Wildlife Management Area is located just west of Beaver. This area covers 16,000
Beaver, OK Recreation