Black Mesa State Park Campground

About

Black Mesa State Park occupies a remote corner of Oklahoma's panhandle, about 30 miles northwest of Boise City near the tiny community of Kenton. The park sits adjacent to Lake Carl Etling and serves as a base camp for exploring the nearby Black Mesa Nature Preserve, home to Oklahoma's highest point at 4,973 feet elevation. The landscape here feels more like the desert Southwest than the Great Plains, with juniper-dotted mesas and dramatic rock formations. The campground offers 52 sites split between RV and tent camping. The 25 RV sites feature water and 30/50 amp electric hookups on cement or gravel pads ranging from 30 to 62 feet in length. A dump station is located near the comfort station. The 25 tent sites and 2 primitive tent sites are spread across three areas: Creek, West Canyon, and Lake View, with varying levels of shade and water access. The park holds official dark sky designation, making it one of the premier stargazing destinations in the region. Quiet hours from 11 PM to 7 AM include requests to minimize exterior lighting and use red flashlights when possible. The August Perseid meteor shower draws visitors specifically for the pristine night sky viewing conditions.

Directions

From Boise City, take OK-325 west/northwest approximately 28 miles. From Kenton, take OK-325 east for about 5 miles, then turn right on North Lake Road to the park entrance. The park address is 11546 North Lake Road, Kenton, OK 73946.