Little Sahara State Park

Little Sahara State Park near Waynoka contains more than 1,600 acres of active sand dunes, some rising several stories above the surrounding landscape. The dunes were formed from river-deposited sand that was later reworked by wind, creating a constantly changing terrain unlike almost anywhere else in Oklahoma. The park is primarily known for off-highway vehicle recreation. ATVs, side-by-sides and dune buggies move across open sand, and the experience can be intense compared with a conventional state park. The dunes themselves are worth appreciating geologically. Wind reshapes ridges, bowls and slip faces continually, so the landscape never remains exactly the same. Sunset and early morning light also create striking patterns and shadows. Visitors should pay close attention to safety rules, vehicle requirements and flags because visibility can be limited over dune crests and collisions are a real risk. Even non-riders can find the landscape fascinating, but Little Sahara is best understood as an active motorsports environment rather than a quiet hiking preserve.