10 Stunning Mountains in Oklahoma

Written by Tracy Graham
Updated: June 8, 2023
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The mountains in Oklahoma may not be as well known as the mountains in some other states, but they are beautiful. Most people think about grasslands and cattle farms when they think about Oklahoma. And Oklahoma does have plenty of prairies and grasslands. But there are also mountains in Oklahoma. In fact, there are four mountain ranges that run within Oklahoma’s borders. The Arbuckle Mountains, the Wichita Mountains, the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains are all great destinations for hiking and camping.

10 Stunning Mountains in Oklahoma

10 Stunning Mountains In Oklahoma

Oklahoma has some of the prettiest hiking in the country because of the wide range of geographical locations in the state. And Oklahoma hiking is a real treat for people who love wildlife. The mountain hikes in Oklahoma give hikers the chance to see rare birds, hawks, bears and other wildlife. You may even see some wild horses when you’re hiking which is always something special to see. Whether you live in Oklahoma and just want to get to know your state better or you are coming to Oklahoma to visit you will love hiking and camping on these stunning mountains in Oklahoma.

Kiamichi Mountains

Located in: Ouachita National Forest

Height: 2,500 feet

Nearby City:  Albion

Known For:  The Kiamichi Mountains are really more a series of large hills, which only some of them reaching over 1,000 feet in elevation. The highest ones reach an elevation of 2,500 feet. They’re a subrange of the Ouachita Mountains. The Ouachita National Forest is protected land that includes several rivers, lakes, and forests as well as the mountains.

There is some fantastic hiking and camping in this area. Because the mountains are not that high in elevation they are perfect for families that want to camp and go on some fun family hikes. The area is also home to the Upper Kiamichi River Wilderness National Wildlife Refuge. So when you’re camping and hiking you may see any number of wild animals like black bears, coyotes, and cougars. There are also wild horses in this preserve and birds of prey like bald eagles and owls. You may even see some road runners!

 The Pashubbe Trail that leads to the Kiamichi Mountains is a particularly good trail for families because it’s a very easy hike.

Kiamichi Mountains Oklahoma

The Kiamichi Mountains are really more a series of large hills, which only some of them reaching over 1,000 feet in elevation. The highest ones reach an elevation of 2,500 feet.

©iStock.com/Don Blakes Prairie Wind Photography

Robbers Roost Peak

Located in: Fallas Mesa

Height: 4,570 feet

Nearby City:  Kenton

Known For: Robbers Roost Peak is one of the most interesting mountains in Oklahoma. It’s tallest peak in the state and it has a pretty amazing history. In order to understand the history it’s important to note that this peak is almost all rock and the face is very sheer. But on the mountain is a large cave. That cave became a hideout for many criminals over the years because it was almost impossible to reach thanks to the sheer mountain face.

However, it also had two different ways to escape from the back of the cave. That made it the ideal hideout for criminals who needed a way to get out fast if the police or bounty hunters managed to climb up the face to get at them.

Robbers Roost Peak is a pretty remote area so there’s not a lot of cities or towns nearby. But the camping is excellent and there is some interesting hiking on the Mesa where the mountain sits. Beginner rock climbers can have a lot of fun practicing their skills on Robbers Roost Peak.

Robber's Roost Cave

Robber’s Roost Peak has a large cave. That cave became a hideout for many criminals over the years because it was almost impossible to reach thanks to the sheer mountain face.

©Deep Desert Photography/Shutterstock.com

Baldy Point

Located in: Quartz Mountain Nature Park

Height: 1,870 feet

Nearby City:  Granite

Known For: Baldy Point is also often called Quartz Mountain. That’s because the face is a sheer sheet of quartz rock. It’s a challenging climb to the top but a fantastic way for mountain climbers and rock climbers to practice mountaineering and rock scrambling skills. This is a very popular hike for that reason so there’s almost always people around on the trails.

For those hikers who don’t want to climb 180 feet up on a wall of granite there are other trails to enjoy. There are more than 80 hiking trails in the area that are suitable for hikers with a range of experience. But if you’re looking for an easy day hike try the Baldy Point Loop. There’s a bit of an incline on this 3 mile loop trail but it’s not that bad. If you start at the trailhead and go clockwise you can get the climbing done first while you’re still fresh instead of facing it at the end when you’re tired.

View of Snow Covered Mt Baldy from Inspiration Point

Baldy Point is a challenging climb to the top but a fantastic way for mountain climbers and rock climbers to practice mountaineering and rock scrambling skills.

©Ruben Hornillo/Shutterstock.com

Mount Scott

Located in: Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge

Height: 2,464 feet

Nearby City:  Lawton

Known For: Mount Scott is known for having some spectacular views of the wildlife preserve that surrounds it. It’s one of the most popular hiking destinations in Oklahoma so it can get crowded at times. One of the unique things about Mount Scott is that hikers can only be on the trails daily after noon. On most weekdays hikers have to be off the trails by noon. From Friday afternoon until Sunday only cars and bikers can be on the mountain in the afternoon and hikers only have access to the mountain in the mornings.

Mount Scott is very accessible by car. There is a smooth paved road that winds about three miles up the mountain. From the large parking lot the summit is not a long or strenuous walk so the summit is pretty accessible for everyone.

When hikers are on the trail the Mount Scott Overlook Trail is a popular hike. It’s about six miles long so hikers can generally finish it in a day before they are required to get off the mountain.

Mount Scott Oklahoma

Mount Scott is very accessible by car. There is a smooth paved road that winds about three miles up the mountain.

©iStock.com/Dana Wilkerson

King Mountain

Located in: Quartz Mountain State Park

Height: 2,411 feet

Nearby City:  Altus

Known For: King Mountain isn’t really an isolated mountain but it’s not one that hikers really flock to. From the summit hikers can get beautiful views of the Lake Altus-Lugert below. The trails are not that difficult. And it’s easy to access the mountain. Highway 44 crosses directly in front of the base of the mountain. There’s even a radio signal tower on the summit. There is plenty of backcountry and RV camping in the state park nearby. But if you’re going to hike King Mountain in  the summer beware of the heat and humidity.

Many hikers don’t realize how much the heat and humidity can affect them when they’re hiking, especially on a mountain like King Mountain. There is not a lot of good water available on the mountain so make sure that you bring your own water and snacks for the hike.

mountain and tree scenery in Quartz Mountain State Park

King Mountain is located in Quartz Mountain State Park.

©Brandon-Smith/Shutterstock.com

Elk Mountain

Located in: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Height: 2,270 feet

Nearby City:  Indiahoma

Known For: Elk Mountain is one of the rare mountains in Oklahoma where getting to the summit isn’t as fun as climbing the other parts of the mountain. It’s a granite dome mountain like several other mountains in Oklahoma so it’s got some very unique rock formations all over the mountain which are very fun to climb. The primary climbing areas on Elk Mountain are Elk Slabs, The Treasure Cove, Pear and Apple, and Secret Agent Dome. More people spend their time playing on the rock ledges and formations in this area rather than trying to get to the summit.

Even though Elk Mountain is a fantastic place to practice tough climbing skills like rock scrambling, there are also trails that wind around the mountain that are just as much fun. They’re also less hazardous and more family friendly. The trailhead for the Elk Mountain Trail is easily accessible at the parking area. It’s a quick one and a half mile trail that is appropriate for hikers of all ages and abilities.

Elk Mountain

Elk Mountain is one of the rare mountains in Oklahoma where getting to the summit isn’t as fun as climbing the other parts of the mountain.

©Thomas Shahan / flickr – License

Black Mesa

Located in: Black Mesa Nature Preserve

Height: 4,975 feet

Nearby City:  Boise City

Known For: Black Mesa is more of an elevated plateau instead of a traditional mountain, but that just means the summit is an open flat area instead of a rocky point. It’s fully contained within the Black Mesa Nature Preserve. Black Mesa is a very popular camping and hiking destination because the hiking trails are generally pretty easy for almost all hikers. The trail to the summit takes about four hours.

But, you should know that Black Mesa is one of the hottest and driest parts of Oklahoma and the conditions can be desert like. If you’re going to hike there you need to bring lots of water with you and dress appropriate for the weather.

As you’re hiking you may see some of the many animals that live in the wildlife preserve. There are many different kinds of birds that live there including golden eagles, scaled quail, black-billed magpies, and pinyon jays. And you can also see animals like antelopes, elks, bison, black bears, mule deer, and cougars.

Black Mesa Oklahoma

Black Mesa is more of an elevated plateau instead of a traditional mountain, but that just means the summit is an open flat area instead of a rocky point.

©iStock.com/GracedByTheLight

Wichita Mountains

Located in: Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge

Height: 2,464

Nearby City: Lawton

Known For: The Wichita Mountains are a series of peaks that sit within the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The mountains soar above 60,000 acres of prairies, lakes and streams. Visitors can access the mountains through the refuge and spend the day hiking, trail running, biking, and riding horses on easy trails that wind around the mountains or skirt the grasslands.

From the summit of these mountains in Oklahoma hikers will be impressed by the herds of bison longhorn cattle, and elk that roam the grasslands. Hikers also may see black bears, mule deer, road runners, cougars, and many other animals that live in the preserve. There are also herds of wild horses on the plains.

For the best chance at seeing the large wildlife that are spread across the preserve take the Bison Trail. It’s a rugged trail but easy enough for new hikers. It winds around the mountain with no real elevation gain but it does take you past several lakes and over several rivers where you can spot some wildlife.

Wichita Mountains Oklahoma

The Wichita Mountains are a series of peaks that sit within the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. The mountains soar above 60,000 acres of prairies, lakes and streams.

©iStock.com/Brent_1

Lookout Mountain

Located in: Lookout Mountain Park

Height: 932 feet

Nearby City:  Broken Bow

Known For: Lookout Mountain is really more of a large hill. Anything with an elevation of less than 1000 feet isn’t technically a mountain. But Lookout Mountain is pretty close to 1,000 feet in elevation so most people consider it a mountain. Whether you want to call it a mountain or a hill it’s a fantastic spot for hiking. Most of the trails will lead you up through beautiful forests where you may spot birds and other animals. It’s a very easy hike since the elevation isn’t that high. That makes it perfect for a family hiking afternoon.

Some of the popular trails for Lookout Mountain are the Lookout Mountain Loop, the Friends Trail Loop, and Cedar Bluff Nature Trail.

Broken Bow Lake

Broken Bow Lake is one of the many sights to see from Lookout Mountain in Oklahoma.

©James Reeves/Shutterstock.com

Charon’s Gardens Wilderness

Located in: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Height: varies

Nearby City: Indiahoma

Known For: The Charon’s Gardens Wilderness area is home to a collection of granite peaks including Elk Mountain, Mount Lincoln, Granite Mountain, Twin Rocks Mountain, Crab Eyes and Sunset Peak. There is only limited back country camping allowed in this area of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge so most hikers only come to this area for day hikes. The granite mountains in this area not that high and they are relatively easy to climb. That makes them the perfect location for hikers who are learning rock climbing and rock scrambling. The primary trail through this area is the Charon’s Garden trail which is about five miles out and back through the granite peaks.

Charon’s Gardens Wilderness makes the perfect location for hikers who are learning rock climbing and rock scrambling.

©Jbrown84 / Creative Commons – License

Summary of 10 Stunning Mountains In Oklahoma

IndexMountainHeight
1Kiamichi Mountains2,500 feet
2Robbers Roost Peak4,570 feet
3Baldy Point1,870 feet
4Mount Scott2,464 feet
5King Mountain2,411 feet
6Elk Mountain2,270 feet
7Black Mesa4,975 feet
8Wichita Mountains2,464 feet
9Lookout Mountain932 feet
10Charon’s Gardens Wilderness2192 feet
Table of 10 Stunning Mountains In Oklahoma

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Thomas Shahan / flickr – License / Original


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FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Are there really mountains in Oklahoma?

There are four mountain ranges that run within Oklahoma’s borders. The Arbuckle Mountains, the Wichita Mountains, the Ozark Mountains and the Ouachita Mountains are all great destinations for hiking and camping.

What is Robbers Roost Peak?

Robbers Roost Peak is one of the most interesting mountains in Oklahoma. It’s tallest peak in the state and it has a pretty amazing history. In order to understand the history it’s important to note that this peak is almost all rock and the face is very sheer. But on the mountain is a large cave. That cave became a hideout for many criminals over the years because it was almost impossible to reach thanks to the sheer mountain face.

However, it also had two different ways to escape from the back of the cave. That made it the ideal hideout for criminals who needed a way to get out fast if the police or bounty hunters managed to climb up the face to get at them.

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