Outbound Collective logo

Photograph Little Sahara State Park

Waynoka, Oklahoma

Description

Added by Jamie Fleck

Acres of beautiful, towering golden sand dunes unlike any other natural wonder in Oklahoma and open all-year round, 24/7, for easy photographing access. Very close to the Alabaster Caverns, Gloss Mountain State Park, and the city of Enid to make your trip to the area even more worthwhile.

In western Oklahoma and just a few miles south of the town of Waynoka, is a sand dune gem called Little Sahara State Park. Known to ATV and dirt bike enthusiasts all over the region, Little Sahara State Park contains over 1,500 acres of golden sand dunes towering up to 75 feet high that were formed by prehistoric river flow from the Rocky Mountains. It is truly one of a kind natural wonder, as it is vastly different from the usual topography of Oklahoma. It is also open all year round, 24/7, which allows for easy photography access.

You can get to Little Sahara State Park by taking US Highway 412 and heading north up on US Highway 281 for about 7 ½ miles where you will reach the Visitor Center.

The best times to visit and photograph Little Sahara State Park are during the off seasons and in the mornings, when it's less blustery and lower temperatures since there is no shade, and when it's less packed with ATV riders.

The main vantage point for photographs is via accesses within the Buttercup campground. From Buttercup campground you can have an aerial view of the sand dunes by taking the trail to the observation deck. The trail to the observation deck is ADA-accessible and its parking lot is in the Buttercup campground. The observation deck provides panoramic views, with scenery best view-able during the winter season where the vegetation is dormant and not blocking the view of the sand dunes. From the Buttercup campground, you can also photograph the sand dunes by accessing the dunes themselves via the ATV track. Stay extremely close to the fence and keep out of the way of the ATV track. Once you have entered the sand dunes, stay alongside the fence and do not impede the way of ATV riders, as visibility is very low with the height of the sand dunes and riders are likely going at very high speeds.

Nearby Little Sahara State Park are the Alabaster Caverns, Gloss Mountain State Park, and as mentioned earlier, the city of Enid. All are about within 30 minutes to an hour from the park, which including those into your itinerary can make going to Little Sahara State Park a fun-filled photographic weekend!

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Adult Beverages
Bathrooms
Dog Friendly
Easy Parking
Family Friendly
Food Nearby
Groups
Picnic Area
Scenic
Wildlife
ADA Accessible

Photograph Little Sahara State Park Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp in the Water Cave at Alabaster Caverns

Go Wild Caving at Alabaster Caverns

Cathedral Mountain Trail at Gloss Mountain SP

Photograph the Salt Flats at Great Salt Plains State Park

Camp at Great Salt Plains Lake

Roman Nose State Park Loop