Lake Trail

The Lake Trail at Roman Nose State Park winds through the spring-fed lake country of the red cedar canyon that defines this unique park in the Blaine County gypsum hills of western Oklahoma. The park is named for Cheyenne Chief Henry Roman Nose and sits within the traditional territory of the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes, offering important cultural context alongside its natural attractions. The spring-fed lakes are unusual for western Oklahoma, sustained by natural springs emerging from the gypsum and dolomite formations that underlie the canyon. The trail passes through dense stands of eastern red cedar, one of the dominant trees of the Oklahoma Cross Timbers and one of the few conifers native to this part of the southern plains. White-tailed deer, wild turkey, and abundant songbirds inhabit the canyon throughout the year. The red rock canyon walls of gypsiferous sandstone create a dramatic visual setting unlike anything found elsewhere in western Oklahoma. The lakes support fishing for bass and catfish and attract a variety of waterfowl during migration. The spring-fed water remains cool year-round, making the canyon noticeably cooler in summer than the surrounding agricultural plains.