| Oklahoma is a land of old west frontiers, great plains, | | | | fascinating community of wildlife is protected. Elk, |
| vast green landscapes, blue lakes and rich Native | | | | buffalo, coyote, deer, and Texas longhorn cattle are |
| American heritage. The "Sooner State" is ready, willing | | | | the big shots at Wichita Mountains. However, smaller |
| and able to entertain outdoor enthusiasts. So why not | | | | animals like red-tailed hawks, turkeys, and prairie dogs |
| hit the trail and experience the wonders of wild | | | | also find a safe haven here. Active visitors find plenty |
| Oklahoma - "sooner," rather than later? | | | | to enjoy at this refuge. A trio of hiking trails and 40 |
| In central Oklahoma, near Hinton, Red Rock Canyon | | | | miles of developed roads provide easy access to the |
| State Park is situated in a canyon that dates back | | | | refuge's public use areas, while park staff present |
| (hold on to your hat!) 260 million years. This red | | | | seasonal tours of restricted spots where animals roam |
| sandstone gorge, once the winter shelter of Plains | | | | undisturbed terrain. A drive to Mt. Scott's 2,464-foot |
| Indians, later became a stopover on the California | | | | summit offers a sweeping vista of this park's unique |
| Road and an overland wagon trail that Gold Rush | | | | patchwork quilt of mountains and prairies. |
| hopefuls followed to seek their wild-west fortunes. | | | | In the town of Kingston, Lake Texoma Resort Park is |
| Today's Red Rock site entertains guests with less | | | | midway between Oklahoma City and Dallas, Texas. |
| serious pursuits - rock climbers who'd like to brush up | | | | Lake Texoma is Oklahoma's second largest lake. It's |
| on their rappelling skills, folks who want to soak in a | | | | big, burly and full of wild-west opportunities. With 93,000 |
| swimming pool or explore a spring-fed creek, and | | | | acres of water, 1,000 miles of shoreline, and a |
| hikers who prefer a quiet walk in the woods. The | | | | full-service marina, Texoma is nothing short of a |
| park's California Road Trail still has remnants of original | | | | dreamscape for water sports buffs. Swimming, water |
| Gold Rush wagon tracks, and the Rough Horsetail Trail | | | | skiing, sailing, scuba diving, canoeing, paddle boating, and |
| highlights native plants. More adventurous hikers take | | | | windsurfing take center stage at this park. Anglers find |
| off along the unmarked canyon rim and wall trails | | | | everything from record-breaking stripers and catfish to |
| where their efforts are rewarded with grand views of | | | | an enclosed fishing dock for those who don't want to |
| lovely Red Rock. | | | | brave the elements. Texoma's swimmers can choose |
| Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is in the | | | | an indoor or outdoor pool, or an afternoon on the lake's |
| "Sooner State's" south central region near Lawton. | | | | sandy beaches. And there are plenty of land-based |
| The Wichita Mountains preserve, managed by the U.S. | | | | amusements, too. Hiking and biking trails, hunting |
| Fish and Wildlife Service, covers 92 square miles of | | | | grounds, horse stables and a grab bag of sporting |
| assorted mountain peaks, mixed grass prairie, | | | | options keep the lake's visitors amused from sunup 'til |
| numerous lakes, streams and canyons where a | | | | sundown. |