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Roman Nose
Overview
Roman Nose State Park is one of Oklahoma's original seven state parks, offering a unique landscape defined by gypsum rock cliffs and natural springs. Tucked away in a scenic canyon near Watonga, this destination provides a peaceful retreat for RV travelers seeking natural beauty and outdoor adventure. The park transitions from rolling plains into a lush canyon oasis, making it a standout stop in the western part of the state for those looking to escape the open prairie.
Location & Surroundings
Located just a few miles north of Watonga, OK, the park sits within a dramatic geological setting. The surroundings feature cedar-lined bluffs and sparkling clear springs that flow throughout the year, keeping the area vibrant and green. Visitors will find themselves surrounded by three tranquil lakes and a variety of native wildlife, providing a sense of deep seclusion despite being easily accessible from major state highways and regional travel routes.
Amenities & Park Features
The park offers several camping areas, including the Two Lakes and Beaver Dam campgrounds, which cater specifically to RVers with varied needs. Many sites provide full hookups, including water, sewer, and 30/50-amp electricity. On-site facilities designed for guest comfort include:
- Modern bathhouses with hot showers and clean restrooms.
- A seasonal swimming pool and several lakeside picnic pavilions.
- Access to an 18-hole championship golf course located within park boundaries.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy miles of multi-use trails designed for hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding through the canyon floor. Fishing is a primary draw here, with Lake Watonga being a popular spot for trout during the winter months and channel catfish in the summer. For a short excursion outside the park, visitors can explore the historic downtown Watonga area, known for its local art, seasonal festivals, and rich agricultural history.
Who This Park Is Best For
Roman Nose is ideal for nature lovers and families who appreciate active recreation in a quiet, natural environment. It is a fantastic choice for golfers who want to camp right next to the fairways. Because of its unique geology and natural springs, it also appeals strongly to photographers and hikers looking for landscapes that differ significantly from the typical scenery found elsewhere in the region, offering a true hidden gem experience.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Brittni Kean
This is a very poor campground. Very narrow roads, sites aren't level at all. This campground is more for tent, scamp campers, small travel trailers, etc. The pull thru sites in Canyon Vista and Two Lakes are a joke. The general store was closed and lake was bone dry. Would not recommend this state park.
B Birst
If you’re a big fan of golfing in the wilderness this is the place for you. If you were expecting a serene forest (by Ok standards) you might get that, the creek that comes out of a concrete hole in the rock; down a concrete path, because the natural route was removed, isn’t as “wilderness” as one would expect. It’s a good area to cruise through, but the golf course at the entrance and golf cart tracks everywhere really ruined the experience for us.
Fred Reichert
Beaver Dam Campground is nice with clean bathrooms and showers. There are picnic tables, fire rings, and grills. Both lakes at the park are still empty as the construction work continues on the dam. It would be nice if the park's website would provide information on trail closures and the dry lakes, due to construction. They do not provide a timeline for the lakes being reopened. Instead, it just mentions that the lakes are stocked with trout. The paddle boats on the lakeshore by the store are just sitting on dry ground. We even saw someone with a kayak on their vehicle expecting to get on the water, but obviously that wasn't happening. The General Store is open for small gifts, snacks, and toiletry items. The only hiking trail that is open is the ADA trail that leads to the lodge, then continues to Inspiration Point. The trail to the point, from the lodge, has steep ups and downs, we only made it about halfway, then turned back because the trail was too steep. We had perfect camping weather, and did get in 5 miles of hiking. Just wish we had been provided more information on the trail closures and dry lakes before we made reservations.
Patricia Cook
We made reservations for 3 nights. We get here and can’t find an office to check in at. Find our way to our campsite and start exploring. There is no lake to speak of, water is so low you see the ground and weeds. The beautiful waterfall in the picture, the road going to it has been closed. The pool, #1 you have to pay to use, #2 it is only open on the weekends, we are here mid week. Found the lodge and asked when you check in for camping, she said, oh you’re good. The restaurant wasn’t open either. The shower you have to purchase tokens for, and each token last 3 minutes. To say the least, we are extremely disappointed. The pictures show a beautiful lake, waterfall, pool and restaurant that we will not be able to Partake in. Oh yeah the general store was closed the day we arrived.
Tom Webb
I hadn't been there in years. My mom's family used to have family reunions there, and I hadn't been in the lodge since then (1977). Same lodge, but updated. Nice, with a local flair about the Cheyenne/Arapaho tribes. The dining room has changed a lot, but was nice. The lakes are dry, just a small channel going through them. Dam broke on the small one and then the large one failed. Don't count on fishing. The golf course looked to be in excellent shape. It's unique in that you're playing over and beside canyons. If your ball goes way back in the rough, leave it. Let the snakes have it, and drop another. It has one of the nearest polls in the state, feed by natural springs.