The Best Day Hike You Can Take With Your Dog In Oklahoma

Summit Trail
Black Mesa Nature Preserve • Kenton

The “black” in the mesa in the far northwest tip of the Oklahoma Panhandle is a layer of lava rock that coated the region about 30 million years ago. The mesa is also the highest point in Oklahoma at 4,973 feet.

The ascent to the roof of the Sooner State covers 4.2 miles and is dead flat the first half of the way before Seaman begins switchbacking up the rear of the mesa. There is nothing growing high enough to obscure the view of even a dachshund on this canine hike.

The Summit Trail is an easy go for Seaman with a wide, paw-friendly trail save for the slopes of volcanic residue on the mesa. Total elevation gain is 600 feet. As he rises your best trail companion will be scanning a landscape unlike any other in Oklahoma.

Once on top another level 15-minute hike is required to reach the red granite monument marking the actual highpoint. This will not be the summit of Black Mesa, only the highest spot to stand in Oklahoma. Dirt scars across the flat top lead to overlooks of three other states: Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado. There is little shade and no water out here, however, so take the proper precautions.

The Nature Preserve is a lonely 15 miles northwest of the small Black Mesa State Park where you can camp, hike a couple of short nature trails with Seaman and let him enjoy swimming in Lake Etling if water conditions are right.

HIKING TIME: 3-4 hours

(from the book 300 Day Hikes To Take With Your Dog Before He Tires You Out: Trails where you won’t be able to wipe the wag off your dog’s tail)