Sightseeing Western Oklahoma

Sightseeing Western Oklahoma - Rolling prairies, red carpets, even mountains and mesas to enjoy!

Did you know that this land was originally owned by the French? Francisco Vásquez de Coronado was an early Frenchmen that traveled this vast land. It became part of the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase.

Where did the name come from? The Choctaw Indians called people here okla and humma, which means "red people". Another nickname you may have heard is the Sooner state. You could hear as many as 25 Native American languages spoken as you are Sightseeing Western Oklahoma. Call them "Okies", originally a negative stereotype made popular the book Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck. It tried to portray the people here as uneducated and living in poverty. Oklahomans today, have made the term more positive and don't mind being called "Okies". This is the land of cattle drives, Native Americans, and a place that settlers called home.

This land was the destination of many of the survivors of what was known as the Trail of Tears. Organized by Leslie Vinyard, the Choctaws, among others were forced out of their homes and driven westward - many of them dying along the way.



The west part of this state has two very different parts.

Northwest:

Most of the Northwest is dry and flat. There are, however, some mountains and mesas in this area. Enjoy the canyons and grasslands, like the Rita Blanca National Grassland while Sightseeing Western Oklahoma. Black Mesa, at almost 5,000 feet, is the state's highest peak. It is close to the northwest corner of the panhandle. It is only one of the Mesas that is part of a range that spans into New Mexico. The Glass Mountains is another Mesa range south of the Cimarron River.

People call the Northwestern panhandle "Red Carpet Country". It seems as though the red carpet is rolled out for you with the red dirt all around in the Northwestern panhandle. Don't look for forests in the Northwestern corner. Being fairly arid, there are not many trees. Most of it is flat, with some canyons and mesa ranges like the Glass Mountains.

Visit an inland salt lake near Alva. There are over 500 creeks and rivers and about 200 lakes, most made by dams. Experience the highest number of artificial reservoirs anywhere while Sightseeing Western Oklahoma.

Southwest:

Great Plains Country is what the southwest in known as. The southwest is mostly plains with scattered mountains like the Wichita Mountains and Antelope Hills. Some small mountains can be seen in the Southwest. The Wichita Mountains are one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world, as well as the biggest that can be seen while Sightseeing Western Oklahoma.

This area is south of the Canadian River, and spreads eastward from the Texas border. Lose yourself in the vastness of the Black Kettle National Grassland! Enjoy over 30,000 acres of prairie while Sightseeing Western Oklahoma. Some places you should see include Antelope Hills, the Black Kettle National Grassland, the Wichita Mountains, and the Quartz Mountains.


Did you know that a large portion of natural gas and oil comes from here? With the second-greatest number of drilling rigs, don't be surprised to see a few as you are Sightseeing Western Oklahoma. You may be surprised that it has one of the fastest growing economies. Join in on the fun at a centennial celebration! Considered a top event, there are several celebrations related to statehood.

Visit one of the state or national parks. The Ouachita National Forest is one of the oldest and largest in the United States. Some of the wildlife you may see while Sightseeing Western Oklahoma include coyotes, white-tailed deer, bobcats, bison, elk, prairie-chickens, badgers, and armadillo, not to mention prairie dogs - they're so cute!. Birds such as bald eagles, cardinals, quail, doves, red-tailed hawks, and pheasants can be seen for you bird watchers.

The idea of  U.S. Route 66 began here with Cyrus Avery (the "Father of Route 66"). His historic route runs from Amarillo, Texas to Tulsa.

A sad event occurred here in 1995. Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols executed a bombing, now known as the Oklahoma City bombing. Timothy McVeigh was later sentenced to death by lethal injection. Terry Nichols is serving life in prison.

There is no shortage of sporting events to enjoy while Sightseeing Western Oklahoma. See the Thunder play an exciting game of basketball or the Lightning of the National Women's Football Association.