Fasten your seat belts for one of Oklahoma’s most exciting state park adventures! Little Sahara State Park, with 1,450 acres of  sand dunes ranging in height from 25 to 75 feet, offers the perfect playground for off-road vehicle enthusiasts, mixed in with some fascinating history.

   The dunes originated over 11,000 years ago from terrace deposits and quartz left by the Cimarron River when it flowed across this area during the Pleistocene Age. Floodplain deposits left by the present-day river also contribute to the changing formations. This makes for a very, very fine quartz sand.

   Early explorers of the area once called the dunes "walking hills." You can visit Little Sahara over and over again and never see the dunes exactly the same as the last trip. The wind and weather play an important part in the dunes shape and placement in Oklahoma’s geography- sand blows and reforms. These sand dunes "walk" about a foot north westward every year. In some cases in other states or countries, where the sand dune is today, won’t be where it is tomorrow. Little Sahara isn’t quite that bad, but you get the picture!

   But how do you see this magnificence and experience the excitement if you don’t have a dune buggie? No problem! Little Sahara offers dune rides! These dune rides include a little bit about the flora and fauna of the area as well as a great ride around, up and over and through the dunes! Just check in at the Park Office and get the current schedule and price.

Park Facilities

Camping

Little Sahara State Park offers 139 non-assigned campsites in two campgrounds with comfort stations and showers.

For the RV’er:

42 semi-modern sites (electrical and water) with a dump station.

For the Tenter:

97 unimproved sites throughout the two campgrounds.

Group Picnicking:

The park also offers three picnic shelters seating up to 80 people which may be reserved.

Individual Picnicking:

A day-use area is open year-round with grills, tables, water and modern comfort stations.

Gift Shop:

This gift shop is different than most State Park gift shops in that it will offer some ORV safety gear needed to enjoy the dunes, as well as a host of souvenirs.

Special Cautions:

There are hazards in the Off-Road Vehicle area that usually don’t exist in the cities. Always use common sense when operating off-road vehicles and drive defensively.

Due to the nature of shifting sand, be aware of sharp drop-offs and exposed objects. It is advised to never travel alone or, at least, tell someone where you’re going, when you expect to return and provide a description of your vehicle.

The dune area is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year for off-road excitement.

Back To The Parks Index

Return To Woodward's Home Page