Little Sahara State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Little Sahara State Park |
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Dunes in Little Sahara State Park
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 Little Sahara State Park
Location in Oklahoma
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| Location | Woods County, Oklahoma, United States |
| Nearest city | Waynoka, OK |
| Area | 1,600 acres (6.5 km2) |
| Established | 1960 |
| Governing body | Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department |
Little Sahara State Park, also known as Waynoka Dunes, is a fun state park located in Woods County, Oklahoma. It gets its name because the huge sand dunes look a lot like the famous Sahara Desert. These amazing dunes formed over a very long time. They are leftover sand from when the Cimarron River used to flow over this whole area many, many years ago.
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Discovering Little Sahara's History
Little Sahara started out in the early 1950s as a city park. A woman named Grace Ward Smith, who led the Chamber of Commerce in Alva, helped create it. Before this, people mostly saw the dunes as a problem. The sand kept moving onto Highway 281, which meant the road had to be moved!
How the Park Got Its Name
Grace Ward Smith had a clever idea. She named the area "Little Sahara" to attract visitors. She even hired local people to act as guides and "outlaws" to make it more exciting. In 1958, she bought two real camels for the park!
Becoming a State Park
In September 1960, the state of Oklahoma bought 339 acres of the park. They paid $12,500 for it. Later that year, about 4,000 visitors came to see a Christmas show starring the camels. By 1963, the park had grown much bigger, covering 1,600 acres.
Dune Riding Takes Off
One spring, a local car dealer rode across the dunes in a special vehicle. It had wide tires and roll bars made from hay-rake wheels. This activity quickly became very popular! Even today, local businesses offer rentals for similar vehicles, letting everyone enjoy riding the dunes.
Exploring Little Sahara State Park
Little Sahara State Park is open all year round. You don't need any special permits to enter. The park is in northwest Oklahoma, just south of Waynoka.
The Amazing Sand Dunes
The park has over 1,600 acres of sand dunes that you can ride on. These dunes range in height from about 25 feet (7.6 meters) to 75 feet (23 meters) tall. The very tallest dunes are called "Competition Hill" and "Buttercup." You can find them in the western and northwestern parts of the park.
Vehicles and Safety on the Dunes
Many types of vehicles are allowed on the dunes. These include motorcycles, dirt bikes, ATVs (All-Terrain Vehicles), UTVs (Utility Task Vehicles), SXS (Side-by-Sides), SUVs, and Jeeps.
For safety, all vehicles must have a solid orange whip flag. This flag needs to be 6 inches by 12 inches and have no writing on it. Dune buggies and 4x4 vehicles must also have seat belts and a roll bar. Riders under 18 years old are required to wear a helmet. It's a good idea for riders of all ages to wear a helmet for safety!
Park Facilities and Fun
The park offers many helpful facilities for visitors. You can find showers, picnic areas, and 86 RV hookups with electricity and water. There are also 143 tent sites for camping. During certain seasons, you can buy snacks and drinks from concessions. Fuel and grocery stores are also located nearby.
