Nature

A Canyon For All

e Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park beckons campers, glampers, history bu s and everyone in between.

October is the ideal time to visit the Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park in Hinton. Photo courtesy Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park Five miles south of I-40 on US-281, the Oklahoma prairie yawns open, revealing a canyon near Hinton. e chasm, made of orange-brown, cross-bedded, ne-grained sandstone, is known as Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park. e Caddo County site is a geological formation, part of the Permian-age Rush Springs aquifer. e canyon includes an unusual formation, sometimes labeled a “hoodoo,” that has begun separating from the canyon wall.

Tom Stanley, Ph.D., a geologist for the Oklahoma Geological Survey located on the University of Oklahoma Campus, says the hoodoo is “technically an erosional remnant, or pinnacle, of the Rush Springs formation. e canyon is about sixty feet deep.” rough time, wind, water and natural forces carved out the canyon, which is now home to a fullservice RV park and campground on the canyon oor. A popular rappelling, climbing and hiking location, the park o ers plenty of fun, including glamping – or glamor camping.

“On Saturdays, 50 to 100 cars come through the park,” says park manager Jordan McSperitt. “Spring and fall are our busiest times.”

Situated on 310 acres, the park entrance takes guests along a 1 1/2-mile winding road with switchbacks. Visitors may watch sunrises and sunsets paint the red dirt canyon walls with nature’s palette of colors. e park is open seven days a week, from sunup to sundown, year-round. Unless inclement weather

The Canyon’s History

Plains Indians winter camped in the canyon, which held abundant game and a fresh water stream. Then the canyon became a landmark on the California Trail, and a stop for those heading to the 1849 California Gold Rush. The location became Kiwanis Canyon Park, and in 1956, the state obtained the location, naming it Red Rock Canyon State Park. McSperitt and her father have privately operated the park since 2018, and in so doing, they renamed the outdoor venue.

requires park closure, visitors can hike trails that o er grandiose views, complete with brushstrokes of wild owers. From mid-October to mid-November, colored foliage blazes through the canyon. Wagon wheel ruts may be found on your journey.

Five shelters with picnic tables have large pedestal cooking grills, water and electric service. In season, there’s a swimming pool with a bath house. And Camp Social sells concessions, T-shirts, hats and gifts.

Although great for day trips, overnighters nd RV sites with water, electricity and sewer hookups. Others have water and electricity plus more primitive accommodations.

Pop-up glamping sites include the Nash Tent on a deck, with a queen size bed, furnishings and air conditioning. Other less ashy glamping sites o er two cots, a rug and a light.

“Big groups rent a big portion of the park and host their own events,” says McSperitt.

McSperitt hosts year-round-family-friendly events including movie nights and live music in the canyon. is year’s fourth annual Fall Festival, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 22, will include a carnival, pumpkin painting and hay rides. In 2021, over 3,000 people attended, and the park held its rst Okie Grown Music Festival with Oklahoma artists, vendors and food trucks.

Book online for overnight and day-use shelters at redrockcanyonadventurepark.com. CAROL MOWDY BOND