Red Rock Canyon State Park, located near Hinton in Caddo County, Oklahoma, was a favored winter camp for the Plains Indians. It was also landmark and camping area on the California Road. Settlers going west used this sandstone canyon for collection of fresh water and wagon repairs. On the west side of the canyon, along the California Road Trail, you still can see the wagon ruts. The canyon and the surrounding land were owned by Samuel Handley until his early death during the Depression/Dust Bowl. His widow sold the canyon and the rest of the lands and moved her family to California. The canyon has the only remaining site of native Caddo maple trees.
Located in west central Oklahoma, the park and campsites are located in the canyon among the canyon walls. In addition to RV and tent camping, the park offers picnic areas, nature trails, a small fishing pond, and playground equipment. The canyon walls are a favorite for rappelling and open exploration. In season, the park operates a swimming pool with bathhouse and adjacent food concession and the group camp, which offers overnight sleeping in bunkhouses, and a kitchen/dining hall for meals or meetings. Group picnic shelters are also available. The park and surrounding area has good opportunities for fall foliage viewing.
Famous quotes containing the words red, rock, canyon, state and/or park:
“I am so tired of being a bachelor
I could give all my heart to that Red Moll
That had but the one eye.”
—William Butler Yeats (1865–1939)
“The acorn’s not yet
Fallen from the tree
That’s to grow the wood,
That’s to make the cradle,
That’s to rock the bairn,
That’s to grow a man,
That’s to lay me.”
—Unknown. The Cauld Lad of Hilton or, The Wandering Spectre (l. 2–8)
“In a world that holds books and babies and canyon trails, why should one condemn oneself to live day-in, day-out with people one does not like, and sell oneself to chaperone and correct them?”
—Ruth Benedict (1887–1948)
“... here hundreds sit and play Bingo; here the bright lights of Broadway burn through a sea haze; here Somebodies tumble over other Somebodies and over Nobodies as well.”
—For the State of New Jersey, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
“Therefore awake! make haste, I say,
And let us, without staying,
All in our gowns of green so gay
Into the Park a-maying!”
—Unknown. Sister, Awake! (L. 9–12)