Gloss Mountains State Park

Gloss Mountains State Park in northwest Oklahoma protects one of the most striking and distinctive geological landscapes on the southern plains — a cluster of flat-topped, gypsum-capped mesas, called ‘Glass Mountains’ locally, whose selenite-crystal-encrusted summits glitter and gloss in the sunlight like broken glass, rising in vivid red-and-white buttes from the surrounding Permian red-bed plains of Major County.

The mesas — erosional remnants of ancient gypsum and dolomite beds deposited when a shallow Permian sea covered the area — are reached by a short, steep trail to the summit of the largest mesa for sweeping views over the glittering buttes and the red Oklahoma plains. The park is small but geologically spectacular, one of the most unique geological landscapes in the state. As Oklahoma’s ‘Glass Mountains,’ the Gloss Mountains are a treasured geological icon of the state.

Gloss Mountains State Park is enjoyed for hiking the short but steep trail to the summit of the main mesa for sweeping views over the glittering gypsum buttes and the red plains, exploring the base of the mesas and the distinctive selenite-crystal outcrops, photography (the glittering buttes in late afternoon light are extraordinary), wildlife watching, and picnicking at the park. The hike to the mesa summit for the view of the glittering buttes, and photographing the selenite-crystal formations, are the signature draws. The combination of a unique geological landscape and an accessible, photogenic overview make the Gloss Mountains a memorable stop.

Spring and fall offer comfortable hiking temperatures, and the mesas are most dramatically lit at sunrise and sunset when the selenite crystals catch the low-angle light and glitter brilliantly. Summer is hot with intense sunlight (which makes the crystals sparkle, but the climb is hot). Winter is mild but can be windy. The mesas are striking in any season. Spring and fall for comfortable hiking, and morning and late afternoon for the best glittering light on the selenite, are the highlights — come for sunset on a clear day to see the buttes at their most brilliant.

The Gloss Mountains region is part of the homeland of the Kiowa, Cheyenne, Arapaho and other southern plains peoples, who moved through this distinctive landscape. The mesas were called ‘Glass Mountains’ by early settlers who noticed the sparkling selenite-capped summits from a distance. The name ‘Gloss Mountains’ derives from the same observation. The area is protected as a small state park. Gloss Mountains State Park preserves this distinctive gypsum-mesa geological landscape and its plains heritage, a treasured geological icon of northwest Oklahoma.

The Gloss Mountains are erosional remnants — flat-topped mesas protected from erosion by a cap of gypsum and dolomite (the Blaine Formation, a Permian-age evaporite sequence deposited in a shallow, evaporating sea), while the surrounding softer red-bed mudstones and siltstones (also Permian) have eroded away to form the flat red plains. The mesa summits are encrusted with selenite crystals (a clear, crystalline form of gypsum), which glitter brilliantly in the sunlight. The resistant gypsum-dolomite cap, the Permian evaporite sequence, and the long erosion of the surrounding red beds created these glittering gypsum mesas.

The Gloss Mountains and their surroundings host prairie falcons nesting on the mesa cliffs, along with red-tailed hawks, golden eagles and other raptors, white-tailed and mule deer, coyotes, roadrunners and a variety of shortgrass-prairie birds adapted to the red-bed and gypsum terrain. The exposed mesa faces and the surrounding red-bed plains support hardy species. Gloss Mountains offers pleasant prairie and mesa wildlife watching, with the nesting raptors and the prairie falcons on the cliffs among the highlights, set against the glittering buttes.

Gloss Mountains State Park protects a small but geologically distinctive ecosystem — the gypsum-capped mesas, selenite-crystal outcrops, red-bed slopes and surrounding shortgrass prairie — where the unusual gypsum soils support specialized plant communities (gypsophile plants adapted to sulfate soils) and the mesa cliffs provide nesting habitat for raptors. The sensitive selenite-crystal outcrops and gypsum soils are easily damaged by foot traffic off the trail. Protecting the mesa tops, the gypsophile plants, the raptor nesting sites and the selenite outcrops sustains both the ecology and the glittering geological beauty of the Gloss Mountains.

Gloss Mountains State Park holds a treasured place among the geological icons of Oklahoma — a striking cluster of selenite-crystal-capped gypsum mesas rising in red and white from the Permian red beds of the southern plains, glittering in the light like their namesake glass. On the homeland of the Kiowa and Cheyenne, the Gloss Mountains are a distinctive landmark of the northwest Oklahoma plains, a small but remarkable window into the ancient Permian sea and its evaporite legacy. The Gloss Mountains are a cherished geological icon of Oklahoma.

Gloss Mountains State Park is in northwest Oklahoma in Major County, about 5 miles north of the town of Orienta on State Highway 412 (the park entrance is off Highway 412, about 60 miles southeast of Woodward). The park is small and free; it has a picnic area and a trail to the mesa summit. Nearby towns include Fairview (about 20 miles south), which has services. The park is remote with no on-site services. Come self-sufficient with water and food. Check Oklahoma State Parks for current access and conditions before visiting.

Oklahoma State Parks manages the Gloss Mountains. Visitors help by staying on the designated trail to the mesa summit (do not scramble on the selenite outcrops or the mesa edges, which are fragile and crumble), not collecting selenite crystals or any geological specimens (the formations are protected), keeping back from the mesa edges (steep drops), packing out everything, and following all park rules. The selenite-crystal outcrops, the mesa cap, the gypsophile plants and the raptor nesting sites are sensitive. Protecting the mesas and their formations sustains the geological beauty and ecological integrity of the Gloss Mountains.

The trail to the mesa summit is short but steep and exposed, with loose gypsum and red-clay footing — wear non-slip footwear and use caution near the mesa edges (steep drops). Oklahoma summers are hot and the mesa top is fully exposed; carry water and sun protection. Watch for rattlesnakes in the rocky, arid terrain. The surrounding red-clay roads can become impassable mud when wet. Respect the steep edges, the crumbly gypsum-clay terrain, the heat and sun, the rattlesnakes, and (when wet) the slippery roads.

The park is free and open to the public. Stay on the designated trail; do not scramble on the selenite outcrops or mesa edges (they are fragile and the drops are dangerous). Do not collect selenite crystals or any natural specimens (protected). Keep back from the mesa edges. Pack out all trash; leave no trace. Pets must be leashed. Fires are prohibited (check for fire restrictions, which are common in this dry region). Come self-sufficient with water. Check Oklahoma State Parks for current access and conditions before visiting.

The towns of Fairview and Woodward (regional centers with services), the Salt Plains National Wildlife Refuge to the northeast (with its crystal-digging area), Alabaster Caverns State Park to the northwest, the gypsum and red-bed geology of northwest Oklahoma, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho homeland lie near the Gloss Mountains. The Permian red beds and gypsum hills of northwest Oklahoma define the region. Gloss Mountains anchors the geological experience of the northwest Oklahoma plains, easily combined with Salt Plains NWR, Alabaster Caverns and the scenic gypsum and red-bed country.

Visit the Gloss Mountains at sunset on a clear day for the most spectacular view — the selenite crystals on the mesa summits catch the low-angle light and glitter brilliantly in red and gold against the Permian red plains. Hike the short, steep trail to the mesa top for the sweeping panorama, wear non-slip shoes (the gypsum-clay trail can be slick), carry water (the summit is fully exposed), do not collect the crystals (protected — if you want crystals to take home, visit the Salt Plains NWR crystal-digging area nearby), and keep back from the crumbling mesa edges. Combine with Salt Plains NWR and Alabaster Caverns for a northwest Oklahoma geological loop.