Roman Nose State Park

Roman Nose State Park near Watonga is one of Oklahoma's original state parks and one of the most geologically distinctive. The park lies in a canyon landscape of gypsum bluffs, springs and red-rock terrain in northwestern Oklahoma. The park is named for Cheyenne Chief Henry Roman Nose, and its setting has long been associated with Native history. New Deal-era development added stone structures, trails and recreational facilities that remain part of the park's character. Hiking, golf, camping, fishing and lodge stays are all available, but the canyon trails and natural springs give the park its strongest sense of place. Elevation changes create views and terrain that are more rugged than the surrounding plains suggest. Roman Nose works especially well in spring and fall, when temperatures are more comfortable for hiking. Visitors interested in architecture should also look for historic CCC-era stonework. The combination of canyon geology, Native associations and early state-park history makes it one of western Oklahoma's most layered outdoor destinations.