In the United States, between 7,000 and 8,000 people are bitten by venomous snakes each year, though the probability varies by state. The states with the greatest rates of snake bites are North Carolina, West Virginia, and Arkansas.
In the US, Oklahoma comes in at number four. Because they mostly use their venom for hunting rather than self-defense, rattlesnakes do not typically bite unless they feel threatened or provoked, despite the fact that bites do occur.
However, when visiting the six most rattlesnake-infested regions in Oklahoma, travelers to the Sooner State should use common sense.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
The 59,000-acre refuge is home to a variety of animals, including Texas longhorn cattle, elk, white-tailed deer, and small prairie dogs.
The centerpiece of the refuge’s conservation efforts is a sizable herd of American bison that wander freely.
For rattlesnakes, the refuge offers perfect rocky habitats; they use the cracks as shelter and the ledges to enjoy the sun. When hiking paths in this area, hikers should remain vigilant.
The timber rattlesnake, western diamondback rattlesnake, and prairie rattlesnake are the three species of rattlesnakes listed by the refuge as existing in the park.
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Black Mesa State Park
The name Black Mesa State Park comes from the layer of black lava rock that covered the mesa more than 30 million years ago in the Oklahoma Panhandle, which is located along the tri-state boundary with Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico.
At 4,973 feet, the park’s eponymous Black Mesa is the highest point in the state and occupies 1,600 acres.
Hikers can find routes of various lengths and levels of difficulty in this rural area of Oklahoma, which is abundant in prairie, juniper, and cactus.
Adventuresome nature enthusiasts should expect to hike for three to five hours without much shade as the 8.5-mile trek to the summit of Black Mesa is quite strenuous.
Gloss Mountain State Park
Northwestern Oklahoma is home to Gloss Mountain State Park. Because of its high selenite richness, which mimics a gleaming glass mirror, it is the location of the Gloss Mountains, sometimes known as the Glass Mountains.
The most popular activity in the 640-acre park is climbing up Cathedral Mountain, where the trail winds through the vast mesa.
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Hikers are rewarded with a breathtaking view of the valley floor and neighboring Lone Peak Mountain, the tallest of the mesas and buttes that comprise the park, from the summit of the mountain, which resembles the flat top of a table.
Tallgrass Prairie Preserve
The Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, which spans 39,650 acres in northeastern Oklahoma, is the world’s biggest tallgrass prairie protected area.
Because of urbanization and agricultural expansion, fewer than 4% of the tallgrass prairie ecosystem that once covered over 142 million acres across 14 states in North America—from Texas to Minnesota—remains.
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The grassland is now a popular location for environment lovers, animal enthusiasts, and photographers who come to witness the more than 2,000 bison herd, more than 700 plants, 300 birds, and 80 mammals that call it home.
Visitors can park their cars and trek the two miles of the Prairie Earth Trail through the preserve, or they can drive the 15-mile bison driving loop to witness the shaggy majestic bison.
Great Plains State Park
With its distinctive combination of rocky mountains, expansive grasslands, and picturesque lakes, Great Plains State Park is the ideal location for exploring Oklahoma’s varied scenery.
Near the Wichita Mountains in southwest Oklahoma, this area offers hiking, biking, and a large number of campsites with stunning views.
Anglers may fish for catfish, bass, and crappie along the 6,400-acre Tom Steed Reservoir’s 31 miles of shoreline, while sailors can launch boats for a day of water skiing or paddling.
Another popular activity in the park is rock climbing on the granite boulder fields.
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