Red Rock Canyon State Park (Oklahoma)

Red Rock Canyon State Park
A photo of a sign for Red Rock Canyon State Park
A map of Oklahoma showing the location of Red Rock Canyon State Park
Location Caddo County, Oklahoma, United States
Nearest city Hinton, OK
Coordinates 35°26′57″N 98°21′07″W / 35.4492198°N 98.3520045°W / 35.4492198; -98.3520045Coordinates: 35°26′57″N 98°21′07″W / 35.4492198°N 98.3520045°W / 35.4492198; -98.3520045[1]
Area 310 acres (130 ha)
Governing body Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.6275

Red Rock Canyon State Park is located 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Hinton in Caddo County, Oklahoma.[2] Before the settlement of Oklahoma, the area was used by Plains Indians as a winter campsite.[3] The canyon was a stop on the California Road where settlers would gather fresh water and repair their wagons.[3][4] Wagon wheel ruts are still visible in the park.[4] The canyon has the only remaining site of native Caddo maple trees.[3]

Park activities include rappelling down the canyon, walking on nature trails, hiking on an rocky trail, and fishing.[4] There are picnic areas and group picnic shelters, a playground, a swimming pool and bathhouse. There are tent and RV campsites inside the canyon.[3] The park and surrounding area have good opportunities for fall foliage-viewing.[3]

Proposed park closure in 2018

In March 2017, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation published a list of 16 state parks that may be closed to help offset a reduction in its budget for 2018. Red Rock Canyon State Park is on this list. This list represents approximately one-half of the parks remaining after the department closed seven parks in 2011.[5]


References

  1. ↑ "Red Rock Canyon State Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  2. ↑ Savage, Cynthia. "Hinton," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society. Accessed April 20, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Red Rock Canyon State Park," Hinton Chamber of Commerce, Accessed April 20, 2015.
  4. 1 2 3 Oklahoma Recreation and Tourism Department. "Red Rock Canyon State Park," TravelOK.com, 2015. Accessed April 20, 2015.
  5. ↑ Fultenberg, Lorne. "Half of Oklahoma state parks could close with budget cuts." KFOR News. March 13, 2017. Accessed November 1, 2017.


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