Favorite places for fall hikes

Fall hiking season in Green Country is upon us. With no shortage of trails that showcase the natural beauty here, there’s no better time to lace up your boots, and I’ll share some true trail gems that we look forward to exploring.

September through November offers some of the wonderful views.

The first I want to talk about is close to home for me, Greenleaf Trail located in Greenleaf State Park, which I managed for a number of years near Braggs. It is a fall wonderland. The trail is open to the Swinging Bridge and is about six miles round trip. This trail offers a challenging yet rewarding experience, with unbeatable views of Greenleaf Lake and the surrounding forest. It’s wellmarked and maintained, making it easy to navigate — even for novice hikers. You can always hike as much or as little of it as you like.

If you are looking for more of a shorter excursion within Greenleaf, the 1.25-mile Deer Run Nature Trail is an excellent alternative. It is located near the park office and is paved. In fact, it offers signposts along the trail that give insights into the park’s ecology.

Another place I love in the fall is Robbers Cave State Park north of Wilburton. Robbers Cave State Park boasts some of the most diverse and scenic trails in all of eastern Oklahoma. Its namesake trail, the Robbers Cave Trail, is a challenging 2.9-mile loop that takes hikers past stunning rock formations, through dense forests and up to the historic cave that once served as a hideout for outlaws.

For those seeking a more leisurely hike, the Coon Ridge Trail at Robbers Cave State Park offers a more manageable 1.2-mile loop through some of the park’s wooded areas.

Whenever my wife and I continue to explore the trails in our area, we’re still reminded of the natural beauty that surrounds us. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a seasoned hiker or a nature enthusiast looking to get out like me. There’s a trail out there waiting for you.

Turkey Mountain is located just 10 minutes from downtown Tulsa and offers a variety of excellent hiking trails. These trails are interconnected by short paths, making it easy to explore the area.

There are a number of trails that rank in the top 10 to hike in Oklahoma that are within Beavers Bend State Park near Broken Bow.

Try the 1.5-mile Friends Loop trail in Broken Bow State Park. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 44 minutes to complete. This is a very popular area for hiking and running, so you’ll likely encounter other people while exploring. Dogs are welcome, but must be on a leash.

Proceed cautiously on the Skyline Trail which is a 8.6-mile loop trail also in the same park. Generally considered a highly-challenging route, it takes an average of more than four hours (4:13 to be precise) to complete and should only be attempted by experienced adventurers.

There are other trails as well within Broken Bow State Park.

In the far western reaches of our state, try the 8.8-mile out-and-back trail at Black Mesa State Park near Kenton in the Oklahoma panhandle. Generally considered a moderately-challenging route, it takes an average of more than three hours (3:17 precisely) to complete. This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. The trail is open year-round and is beautiful to visit anytime.

The Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge near Lawton has the 40Foot Hole Trail. This 0.9-mile out-andback trail near Cache, which is just west of Lawton. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 22 minutes to complete.

So grab your boots, pack a lunch and head out to experience what our area has to offer this fall.

John Kilgore is the former Greenleaf State Park manager. He can be reached by emailing him at jkilgoreoutdoors@yahoo.com.