Let’s debunk the myth that Oklahoma is just flat prairie land in the middle of the country. Well, the middle of the country part holds true, but the flat part is a myth. Oklahoma has many mountains and hills across the state that range from rugged rock to lush green trees. They may not be as big and glamorous as others in the country, but these Oklahoma mountains still boast natural beauty and diverse topography. Here are 10 mountains in the Sooner State that will take your breath away:
- Kiamichi Mountains
Flickr/Joshua Turmel Located in southeastern Oklahoma, the Kiamichi Mountains are a subrange within the Ouachita Mountains. The highest peak reaches 2,500 feet in elevation. Kiamichi Mountains, Oklahoma 74577, USA
- Mount Scott
Flickr/Declan McAleese Mount Scott is a prominent mountain located in the Wichita Mountains, just northwest of Lawton. It is famous for its many rock climbing areas and its highest peak stands at 2,464 feet. The summit of this Oklahoma mountain is pretty easy, the three miles to the summit are paved! Mount Scott, Mt Scott, Oklahoma 73507, USA
- Top of Mount Scott
Flickr/Doug Miller Another great shot from the top of Mount Scott. The next time someone asks you if Oklahoma has mountains, show them this photo. It is the 2nd highest peak in The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Mount Scott, Mt Scott, Oklahoma 73507, USA
- Quartz Mountain
Facebook/Quartz-Mountain-State-Park Quartz Mountain, also called Baldy Point, is located in southwest Oklahoma. The mountain overlooks the beautiful Lake Altus-Lugert and is one of the most western peaks in the Wichita Mountains. It is made up of mostly pink-red Lugert granite and Reformatory granite. Quartz Mountains, Oklahoma 73655, USA
- Glass Mountains or Gloss Hills
Flickr/Wade Harris The name is derived from the selenite crystals that sparkle on the slopes and tops of the mesas. Glass Mountain is a group of mesas and buttes that extend from the Permian red buds in Major County. The mountains extend about 150-200 feet above the surface of the plains, with the highest elevation reaching 1,600 feet. Glass Mountains, Oklahoma 73737, USA
- Arbuckle Mountains
Flickr/matthew rutledge The Arbuckle mountain range is located in south-central Oklahoma and is the oldest known formation in the U.S. between the Appalachian and the Rocky Mountains. The range reaches 1,412 feet above sea level. The Arbuckles contain the popular Turner Falls Park and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Arbuckle Mountains, Davis, OK 73030, USA
- Ouachita Mountains
Flickr/Justin Meissen Unlike other mountain ranges in the U.S., the Ouachita Mountain range runs east and west instead of north and south. They are located in southeastern Oklahoma and are shared with parts of Arkansas. The highest peak in the Ouachita Mountains is Mount Magazine in Arkansas at 2,753 feet. Ouachita Mountains, Oklahoma 74957, USA
- Wichita Mountains
Flickr/Larry Smith Located in the southwestern portion of Oklahoma, The Wichita Mountains are rock promontories and rounded hills made of igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and large boulders. Haley Peak is the highest point in the mountains at 2,481 feet. Fort Sill occupies a large portion of the southeastern end of the mountains. Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma 73507, USA
- Boulder in Wichita Mountains
Flickr/Granger Meador One of many boulders that make up The Wichita Mountains. Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma 73507, USA
- Flagpole Mountain
Flickr/Granger Meador Flagpole Mountain is a 906 ft. mountain peak near Clayton, OK. It still retains a fire tower that was part of a network of towers but is no longer operational. Flagpole Mountain, Oklahoma 74536, USA
We told you Oklahoma is not all flat. Please share more beautiful mountain pictures of Oklahoma in the comments below. For an incredible weekend getaway, check out this scenic Oklahoma mountain vacation rental.
Flickr/Joshua Turmel
Located in southeastern Oklahoma, the Kiamichi Mountains are a subrange within the Ouachita Mountains. The highest peak reaches 2,500 feet in elevation.
Kiamichi Mountains, Oklahoma 74577, USA
Flickr/Declan McAleese
Mount Scott is a prominent mountain located in the Wichita Mountains, just northwest of Lawton. It is famous for its many rock climbing areas and its highest peak stands at 2,464 feet. The summit of this Oklahoma mountain is pretty easy, the three miles to the summit are paved!
Mount Scott, Mt Scott, Oklahoma 73507, USA
Flickr/Doug Miller
Another great shot from the top of Mount Scott. The next time someone asks you if Oklahoma has mountains, show them this photo. It is the 2nd highest peak in The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Facebook/Quartz-Mountain-State-Park
Quartz Mountain, also called Baldy Point, is located in southwest Oklahoma. The mountain overlooks the beautiful Lake Altus-Lugert and is one of the most western peaks in the Wichita Mountains. It is made up of mostly pink-red Lugert granite and Reformatory granite.
Quartz Mountains, Oklahoma 73655, USA
Flickr/Wade Harris
The name is derived from the selenite crystals that sparkle on the slopes and tops of the mesas. Glass Mountain is a group of mesas and buttes that extend from the Permian red buds in Major County. The mountains extend about 150-200 feet above the surface of the plains, with the highest elevation reaching 1,600 feet.
Glass Mountains, Oklahoma 73737, USA
Flickr/matthew rutledge
The Arbuckle mountain range is located in south-central Oklahoma and is the oldest known formation in the U.S. between the Appalachian and the Rocky Mountains. The range reaches 1,412 feet above sea level. The Arbuckles contain the popular Turner Falls Park and the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
Arbuckle Mountains, Davis, OK 73030, USA
Flickr/Justin Meissen
Unlike other mountain ranges in the U.S., the Ouachita Mountain range runs east and west instead of north and south. They are located in southeastern Oklahoma and are shared with parts of Arkansas. The highest peak in the Ouachita Mountains is Mount Magazine in Arkansas at 2,753 feet.
Ouachita Mountains, Oklahoma 74957, USA
Flickr/Larry Smith
Located in the southwestern portion of Oklahoma, The Wichita Mountains are rock promontories and rounded hills made of igneous rocks, sedimentary rocks, and large boulders. Haley Peak is the highest point in the mountains at 2,481 feet. Fort Sill occupies a large portion of the southeastern end of the mountains.
Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma 73507, USA
Flickr/Granger Meador
One of many boulders that make up The Wichita Mountains.
Flagpole Mountain is a 906 ft. mountain peak near Clayton, OK. It still retains a fire tower that was part of a network of towers but is no longer operational.
Flagpole Mountain, Oklahoma 74536, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Oklahoma mountains September 30, 2022 Jackie Ann What are the best hikes with a view in Oklahoma? To get the best view of The Sooner State, you’ll need to take to the Oklahoma mountains. The Gloss Mountains are some of the most beautiful mountains in the state, and there’s one hike within the Gloss Mountain State Park that will take you right to the rim of Cathedral Mountain, offering stunning panoramic views. The hike is just over a mile, with some moderately challenging parts along the way. For a longer hike, consider the 2.3-mile Elk Mountain Trail. This trail is slightly more difficult, but you’ll be rewarded with some incredible views once you reach the summit. Does Oklahoma have any natural wonders? While it’s not the highest point in Oklahoma, that honor goes to Black Mesa, Cavanal Hill is a quirky little landmark that we think fits the bill for being a natural wonder. Located in Poteau, Cavanal Hill is known as the “world’s highest hill.” Clocking in at 1,999 feet, it’s one foot shy of being able to be classified as a mountain. The road to reach the summit is a scenic drive that’ll take about 30-40 minutes, and once you reach the top you’ll have an extraordinary view of the Poteau River Valley below. Which state parks should I visit in Oklahoma? One of the most unique state parks in Oklahoma, Black Mesa State Park is an absolute must-see when visiting Oklahoma. Located along the tri-state border with Colorado and New Mexico, the park’s remote location makes it an ideal spot for stargazing in Oklahoma. Since the nearest town is almost 40 miles away, you won’t encounter any light pollution, making it one of the best dark sky spots in the entire country!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Oklahoma mountains
September 30, 2022
Jackie Ann
What are the best hikes with a view in Oklahoma? To get the best view of The Sooner State, you’ll need to take to the Oklahoma mountains. The Gloss Mountains are some of the most beautiful mountains in the state, and there’s one hike within the Gloss Mountain State Park that will take you right to the rim of Cathedral Mountain, offering stunning panoramic views. The hike is just over a mile, with some moderately challenging parts along the way. For a longer hike, consider the 2.3-mile Elk Mountain Trail. This trail is slightly more difficult, but you’ll be rewarded with some incredible views once you reach the summit. Does Oklahoma have any natural wonders? While it’s not the highest point in Oklahoma, that honor goes to Black Mesa, Cavanal Hill is a quirky little landmark that we think fits the bill for being a natural wonder. Located in Poteau, Cavanal Hill is known as the “world’s highest hill.” Clocking in at 1,999 feet, it’s one foot shy of being able to be classified as a mountain. The road to reach the summit is a scenic drive that’ll take about 30-40 minutes, and once you reach the top you’ll have an extraordinary view of the Poteau River Valley below. Which state parks should I visit in Oklahoma? One of the most unique state parks in Oklahoma, Black Mesa State Park is an absolute must-see when visiting Oklahoma. Located along the tri-state border with Colorado and New Mexico, the park’s remote location makes it an ideal spot for stargazing in Oklahoma. Since the nearest town is almost 40 miles away, you won’t encounter any light pollution, making it one of the best dark sky spots in the entire country!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
To get the best view of The Sooner State, you’ll need to take to the Oklahoma mountains. The Gloss Mountains are some of the most beautiful mountains in the state, and there’s one hike within the Gloss Mountain State Park that will take you right to the rim of Cathedral Mountain, offering stunning panoramic views. The hike is just over a mile, with some moderately challenging parts along the way. For a longer hike, consider the 2.3-mile Elk Mountain Trail. This trail is slightly more difficult, but you’ll be rewarded with some incredible views once you reach the summit.
Does Oklahoma have any natural wonders?
While it’s not the highest point in Oklahoma, that honor goes to Black Mesa, Cavanal Hill is a quirky little landmark that we think fits the bill for being a natural wonder. Located in Poteau, Cavanal Hill is known as the “world’s highest hill.” Clocking in at 1,999 feet, it’s one foot shy of being able to be classified as a mountain. The road to reach the summit is a scenic drive that’ll take about 30-40 minutes, and once you reach the top you’ll have an extraordinary view of the Poteau River Valley below.
Which state parks should I visit in Oklahoma?
One of the most unique state parks in Oklahoma, Black Mesa State Park is an absolute must-see when visiting Oklahoma. Located along the tri-state border with Colorado and New Mexico, the park’s remote location makes it an ideal spot for stargazing in Oklahoma. Since the nearest town is almost 40 miles away, you won’t encounter any light pollution, making it one of the best dark sky spots in the entire country!
