Cimarron County – Discover Nature and History
Accommodation in Cimarron County
Between the Santa Fe Trail and Shortgrass Prairie
Cimarron County combines distinctive landscapes with traces of the history of the American West. Those wishing to plan a trip featuring nature experiences and historical discoveries will find a variety of points of interest here: the Santa Fe Trail, viewpoints, museums, bodies of water, and extraordinary remnants of earlier journeys. When choosing a vacation rental or vacation home, it helps to first determine the desired focus. Should the trip be shaped primarily by landscapes and starry skies, or are historic sites and museums the main priority?
History Along the Santa Fe Trail
The Cimarron Route of the Santa Fe Trail crosses present-day Cimarron County. Camp Nichols was established in June 1865 to protect travelers on this route; the site was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. Willow Bar is also one of the historic stations: the Santa Fe Trail crossed the Cimarron River there, and the site was frequently used as a campsite. At Upper Spring, a spring, a pond formed by an earthen dam, and the high rocky hill recall a campsite along the trail. Cedar Spring supplied water to the camp and passing wagon trains. Exceptional remnants of the Cimarron Cutoff can be traced for many miles.
The Cimarron Heritage Center presents the history of Cimarron County and provides historical information about the Santa Fe Trail. The grounds include a restored Santa Fe Depot. The Center is also responsible for access to Autograph Rock. The sandstone walls bear the signatures of soldiers, teamsters, gold seekers, and other travelers on the Santa Fe Trail. Since Autograph Rock is privately owned, visitors must arrange an appointment by telephone with the Cimarron Heritage Center before visiting: 580-544-3479.
Black Mesa, Prairie, and Starry Skies
The Rita Blanca WMA is a shortgrass prairie in southwestern Cimarron County. It is divided into 46 units and extends for 26 miles along the border between Oklahoma and Texas. The Black Mesa Nature Preserve offers a different perspective on the landscape, with approximately 1,600 acres and 23 rare plant species. The preserve marks the transition where the Rocky Mountains meet the shortgrass prairie. Visitors can hike up to the plateau, which, at 4,973 feet above sea level, contains the highest point in Oklahoma.
Black Mesa State Park is located at the tri-state border with Colorado and New Mexico. It owes its name to a layer of black lava rock that covered the mesa about 30 million years ago. The dark nights are particularly suitable for stargazing; the annual Perseid meteor shower is visible there every August. Travelers with RVs can find campsites with water and electrical hookups that can be reserved online. This option is independent of vacation rentals but may play a role when planning different types of trips.
Lakes, Museums, and Varied Travel Days
Lake Carl Etling normally has 159 surface acres and five miles of shoreline. Boat ramps are located on the east and south sides, although water sports activities are not permitted there. The lake is stocked with largemouth bass, flathead catfish, walleye, and black bass. Those wishing to plan a quieter cultural day can consider the Kenton Museum. Built in 1902 from local stone as a residence for Dr. Lane, the building is the oldest surviving building in the hamlet. Exhibits include items related to the settlement of No Man's Land, photographs, dinosaur track artifacts, kitchen equipment, antiques, and household tools. The dinosaur tracks were discovered in the 1980s and are located on private property outside Black Mesa State Park.
The Right Accommodation for Your Plans
Cimarron County is served by U.S. Highways 56, 65, 412, 287, and 385, as well as State Highways 3, 95, and 325. A vacation rental suits an independent travel itinerary, while a vacation home can also be considered a private retreat for longer stays. The key consideration is which combination of history, landscape, museums, and nature observation you would like to make the focus of your stay.
Those wishing to expand their location research can also explore Boise City. This allows you to expand your further travel planning without losing sight of the special character of Cimarron County.
For the overarching travel overview: Oklahoma.
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