The Happiness Function

Quartz Mountain State Park is one of our favorite places to visit in Oklahoma if you want to hike, bike, rock climb, boulder, or camp while catching sunsets and sunrises. 

We’re sharing how to spend three days and answer other questions you might have to help you plan your trip.

Quartz Mountain State Park Travel Guide

Baldy Point.

Quartz Mountain State Park is tucked within the Wichita Mountains of Southwest Oklahoma and Lake Altus-Lugert. The park is roughly nine miles from the small community of Lone Wolf.

Consisting of over 4,000 acres, the park was one of Oklahoma’s original state parks established in 1937.

3-Day Itinerary

Ashlee & Pablo on the top of Baldy Point.

Day 1:

• Check into the campsite – Reserve your spot online with the Oklahoma State Parks App.
• Set up camp.
• Take a scenic drive – Get acquainted with the park and where facilities are before dark.
• Enjoy camp dinner.
• Catch the sunset – There are pull-offs along the road to catch the sunset driving toward the lodge.

Day 2:

• Catch the sunrise over Lake Altus-Lugert.
• Make camp breakfast.
• Go on a morning hike – Check out Baldy Point and Cedar Valley.
• Head back to camp to refill your water and have lunch.
• Take an afternoon hike – Check out a few short hikes near the campgrounds, such as New Horizon Trail or Cave Trail by the lodge.
• Have dinner.
• Catch the sunset.

Day 3:

• Sleep in, enjoy camp, and have breakfast.
• Go on a morning bike ride – Cruise the Heart Healthy Trail.
• Tear down camp and rig up to head home.

Things To Do at Quartz Mountain State Park

Sunset at Lake Altus-Lugurt.

Outdoor activities are endless here. Like we said at the beginning, you can enjoy hiking, biking, camping, rock climbing, bouldering, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swimming, and more.

It is also a beautiful place for landscape photography.

Hiking Trails at Quartz Mountain

Views of Cedar Valley.

When you visit any state park in Oklahoma, we highly recommend bringing a map of the trails with you. 

Oklahoma’s beautiful landscape can be hard to navigate at times, and cell phone reception tends to be poor; having a map that includes the trail will come in handy when you’re out exploring.

If you need a trail map app, we use AllTrails. You can download the app on your phone and download maps for offline use.

These are our favorite trails in the park:

• Baldy Point Through Cedar Valley
• New Horizon Trail
• Cave Trail
• Twin Peaks Trail

Biking Trails

Hiking up to Baldy Point.

There is one designated biking trail here, the Heart Healthy Trail.

The Heart Healthy Trail is a 1.8-mile paved trail from the campground area to the park’s entrance on state highway OK-44.

We like to take our mountain bikes on camping trips. It is nice to have bikes to commute around the parks we visit.

Camping

Camping and biking at Quartz Mountain State Park.

There are five campground areas, so there are plenty of campsites available.

In addition, there are primitive sites for tent camping, Class B sites for smaller RVs and pop-up trailers, and full hookups for larger RVs with concrete pads.

We camped with our Aliner at Live Oak Campground North, which has class B hookups (water/electric). The site is graveled and shaded in the trees next to the swim beach and boat launch. It is also within walking distance of the New Horizon Trail and biking distance of the Heart Healthy Trail.

You can make camping reservations online through the Oklahoma State Parks App.

If you make reservations online through the app, you don’t have a formal check-in. That is, you book online and show up. There is no person to check in with once you arrive.

Rock Climbing & Bouldering

Pablo in the rocks.

Quartz Mountain is a popular rock-climbing destination. Plenty of spots are available for you to try scaling these rocks.

There are also lots of opportunities for bouldering near Baldy Point and along the New Horizon Trail.

Water Activities

Fishing pier at Lake Altus-Lugert.

Bring your boats, kayaks, canoes, or paddleboards to enjoy Lake Altus-Lugert.

There are a few fishing platforms along the lake. Folks were also fishing from the shoreline.

The main boat launch is located near Live Oak Campground North.

Best Time of Year to Visit

Views of Cedar Valley.

We recommend visiting between late October and mid-April before it gets too hot.

The temperatures are perfect for hiking in the fall since they aren’t too hot or cold.

Quartz Mountain State Park is open year-round to camp and explore.

Other Questions You May Have Before Visiting

Ashlee & Pablo on Baldy Point.

How High is Baldy Point?

Baldy Point, also known as Quartz Mountain, is 2,040 feet in elevation.

Does the campground have showers?

Yes, the campgrounds have showers, flushing toilets, and hot water.

How much does it cost to enter Quartz Mountain State Park?

It is free to enter; however, parking a vehicle during the day requires a parking pass. If camping or staying at the lodge or cabins, the parking fee is included in your reservation cost.

Does Quartz Mountain have cabins?

Yes, cabins are available.

Does Quartz Mountain State Park have a lodge?

Yes, there is a beautiful lodge at Quartz Mountain State Park. The renovated lodge is currently open.

Is there a grocery store?

The nearest place to get groceries or toiletries is at the Walmart in Hobart, 20 minutes away. Be sure to bring all your camping food, drinks, and snacks with you.

Is there cell phone reception?

Cell phone reception is hit-and-miss. There is some reception near the Live Oak Campground and some throughout the park. We could send texts from Live Oak Campground North.

Are dogs allowed?

Yes, dogs are allowed at Quartz Mountain State Park.

Be rattlesnake-aware while hiking with your fur baby. We did see a rattlesnake on the Baldy Point Trail near the summit in October.

Can you swim at Quartz Mountain State Park?

There is a swimming beach near the Live Oak Campgrounds to swim in Lake Altus-Lugert.

Is there a pool?

Yes, there is an indoor pool for folks enjoying the lodge and cabins.

Is the park crowded?

We visited in October during the middle of the week, and the place was not crowded. We passed a couple of hikers on the trails, but that was it. The campgrounds had visitors, but there were no crowds.

What is the North Shore Area?

There is a campground and ATV area called the Eagle’s Roost in the North Shore Area.

We drove around the North Shore Area in October, and it was pretty sleepy – a few folks in their RVs.

Can you have campfires at Quartz Mountain State Park?

Yes, campfires are allowed within the fire ring if there is no fire ban.

Perfect Outdoor Getaway From Tulsa or OKC

Ashlee hiking in Cedar Valley.

The park isn’t too far away from major cities such as Tulsa and Oklahoma City, but very few people know about its incredible beauty. 

You probably won’t have trouble getting a campsite outside peak season.

Have an amazing time exploring everything that this state park offers because it truly is a gem.

If you want to explore more of the Wichita Mountains, visit the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge next. 

More Oklahoma Adventures:

Looking for more outdoor adventures? Here are more of our favorite state parks:

Plan the Perfect Weekend at Beavers Bend State Park

How To Float the Mountain Fork River in Broken Bow

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Please practice Leave No Trace principles while exploring the outdoors to protect the environment.