Black Mesa State Park
About
Located in the remote panhandle of Oklahoma, Black Mesa State Park is a landscape of stark, arid beauty, defined by the geological cap of black lava rock that gives the area its name. Black Mesa offers some of the most spectacular night skies accessible to the public in the American heartland. The park is uniquely positioned where the Rocky Mountain high plains meet the shortgrass prairie, creating a transitional zone that supports an extraordinary diversity of wildlife, including mule deer, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, black bear, and golden eagles, whose nocturnal environments are now protected.
The process of conserving the night sky here required a multi-year, focused effort by Black Mesa State Park staff. Starting in 2019, the team faced the challenge of reversing years of poor lighting practices that made the main campground area an “island of light.” The park committed to a zero-tolerance policy for unshielded, high-intensity fixtures. This dedication led to the complete removal of all streetlights and the replacement of remaining fixtures with fully shielded, warm-color lights. This comprehensive retrofit, which spanned six years (2019-2025), demonstrates a lasting commitment to environmental stewardship and sets a high standard for public lands throughout the region.
Beyond the physical retrofits, the park has integrated dark sky education into its interpretive programs and established lighting guidelines to ensure that visitors actively participate in maintaining the night sky quality.
Visitors can enjoy truly dark skies throughout the park. The main park site near Lake Carl Etling offers guests hiking trails, and amenities like RV and tent campsites, picnic facilities, and boat ramps. For those seeking a rugged experience during daylight hours, the nearby Nature Preserve contains the trail to Oklahoma’s highest elevation point. The park encourages all guests to follow the low-impact lighting guidelines—using only red light whenever possible—to ensure an unforgettable and exceptionally dark viewing experience for everyone.
Area
9.6 km²
Designated
2025
Category
Dark Sky Park
Address
Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve
OK-325, Kenton, OK, USA
Google Maps
Contact
DarkSky International
Amber Harrison, Dark Sky Places Program Manager
+1 (520) 347-6363
[email protected]
Documents
Application
Announcement
Annual Reports
Weather
Click here to find ideal environmental conditions for viewing the night sky at Black Mesa State Park (36.842, -102.883). Don’t forget to plan your trip during the new moon and astronomical twilight to enhance the viewing experience!
