Black Mesa State Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Black Mesa State Park
Storm at Black Mesa State Park, April 2012
Black Mesa State Park Location in Oklahoma
Location	Cimarron County, Oklahoma, United States
Nearest city	Boise City, OK
Area	349 acres (141 ha)
Governing body	Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department

Black Mesa State Park is a cool state park in Oklahoma. It's located in Cimarron County. This area is in the far western part of Oklahoma. It's very close to the border of New Mexico.

The park is about 15 miles (24 km) from a famous landmark. This landmark is called Black Mesa. Black Mesa is the highest point in all of Oklahoma! It stands 4,973 feet (1,516 m) above sea level. It got its name because a layer of black lava rock covers it.

Exploring the Nature Preserve

Right next to the state park is a special nature preserve. This preserve is huge, covering about 1,600 acres (6.5 km²). Its main job is to protect nature. It's a home for many different plants and animals.

• The preserve protects 23 types of rare plants.
• It also helps 8 kinds of rare animals.

You can go hiking in this nature preserve. It's a great place to see Oklahoma's unique wildlife. The closest small community to the park is Kenton, Oklahoma. The nearest town is Boise City, Oklahoma.

Carl Etling Lake

Inside Black Mesa State Park, you'll find Carl Etling Lake. This lake was created in 1959. It was formed when a dam was built on Carrizo Creek.

• The lake has a shoreline that stretches for about 5 miles (8.0 km).
• Its average depth is around 11 feet (3.4 m).
• At its deepest point, the lake is about 38 feet (12 m) deep.
• Carl Etling Lake covers an area of about 200 acres (810,000 m²).

It's a popular spot for fishing and enjoying the outdoors.