Red Rock Canyon State Park (Oklahoma)

Red Rock Canyon Park is located 1 mile (1.6 km) south of Hinton in Caddo County, Oklahoma.[2] Before the settlement of Oklahoma, the area was used by Plains Indians as a winter campsite.[3] The canyon was a stop on the California Road where settlers would gather fresh water and repair their wagons.[3][4] Wagon wheel ruts are still visible in the park.[4] The canyon has the only remaining site of native Caddo maple trees.[3]

Red Rock Canyon Park
LocationCaddo County, Oklahoma, United States
Nearest cityHinton, OK
Coordinates35°26′57″N 98°21′07″W[1]
Area310 acres (130 ha)
Governing bodyOklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department
www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.6275

Park activities include rappelling down the canyon, walking on nature trails, hiking on an rocky trail, and fishing.[4] There are picnic areas and group picnic shelters, a playground, a swimming pool and bathhouse. There are tent and RV campsites inside the canyon.[3] The park and surrounding area have good opportunities for fall foliage-viewing.[3]

Park Transfer in 2018

In March 2017, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation published a list of 16 state parks that may be closed to help offset a reduction in its budget for 2018. Red Rock Canyon State Park is on this list. This list represents approximately one-half of the parks remaining after the department closed seven parks in 2011.[5]

In 2018, the Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation leased the park to the Town of Hinton, Oklahoma, who now operates the park.

References
  1. "Red Rock Canyon Park". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved January 6, 2013.
  2. Savage, Cynthia. "Hinton," Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, Oklahoma Historical Society. Accessed April 20, 2015.
  3. "Red Rock Canyon State Park," Hinton Chamber of Commerce, Accessed April 20, 2015.
  4. Oklahoma Recreation and Tourism Department. "Red Rock Canyon State Park," TravelOK.com, 2015. Accessed April 20, 2015.
  5. Fultenberg, Lorne. "Half of Oklahoma state parks could close with budget cuts." KFOR News. March 13, 2017. Accessed November 1, 2017.


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