Black Mesa State Park, State park in Oklahoma panhandle, US

Black Mesa State Park is an Oklahoma state park in Cimarron County, near the New Mexico line in the Oklahoma panhandle. Its 1,600-acre nature preserve holds dry, tufted grassland with sparse dark shrubs rolling to a low, flat horizon. The park lies about 15 miles from Black Mesa, Oklahoma's highest point at 4,973 feet, named for the black lava rock that coats it. Lake Carl Etling, 159 acres with 5 miles of shoreline, sits within the park.

Black Mesa State Park takes its name from Black Mesa, the highest point in Oklahoma at 4,973 feet, about 15 miles from the park. The mesa was named for the layer of black lava rock that coats it. Lake Carl Etling, inside the park, was formed in 1959 by a dam on South Carrizo Creek.

The park's name comes from Black Mesa, the highest point in Oklahoma at 4,973 feet, about 15 miles away and named for the black lava rock that coats it. The associated nature preserve covers 1,600 acres and is home to 23 rare plants and 8 rare animal species.

Black Mesa State Park lies in Cimarron County near the New Mexico border, about 15 miles (24 km) from Black Mesa itself; Kenton is the nearest community and Boise City the nearest town. Lake Carl Etling, formed in 1959 by a dam on South Carrizo Creek, covers 159 acres with 5 miles (8.0 km) of shoreline and an average depth of 11 feet (3.4 m). The associated nature preserve covers 1,600 acres and is open to hiking.

The location offers some of the darkest night skies in the United States, making it excellent for observing stars and meteor showers. These conditions result from its remote position far from artificial lights of nearby cities.