Quartz Mountain State Park

08/29/2026

Photo from 1942 showing the quarry during the construction of the dam.
"View of surfacing operations producing granite face masonry for Altus Dam. Rough stones are loaded and turned by means of the wooden derrick on the push cars. Two surfacing machines are located in the right background and the stock pile of finished stone may be seen at the left."
This was the last dam built by the Bureau of Reclamation that featured heavy masonry construction. Structurally, it is a concrete gravity dam that is entirely faced with massive granite masonry blocks on its upstream and non-overflow faces. The Bureau of Reclamation specifically opted for this stone-faced design during the Great Depression era to create intensive labor opportunities for out-of-work Oklahomans.

08/28/2026

Who is ready for fall? 🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️🙋‍♀️Keep a lookout for our upcoming Monarch tagging programs! 🦋

08/26/2026

A juvenile Western Diamondback enjoying the morning weather before it heats up.

Rattlesnakes don’t have the best reputation, but they are very important to their ecosystems.

They regulate small animal populations while also serving as a food source for other animals, including hawks, owls, roadrunners, turkeys, and other snake species.

Their regulation of rodent populations can help protect crops and stored grain and may reduce the need for rodenticides.

Do you know anyone who takes medication for high blood pressure or heart disease? Venomous snakes have actually contributed to the development of several life-saving medications. For example, research on the venom of the Brazilian pit viper helped lead to the development of captopril, an ACE-inhibitor used to treat high blood pressure. 

Rattlesnakes can also help reduce tick populations indirectly by eating the rodents that serve as hosts for ticks. In some ecosystems, this can even help reduce the transmission of tick-borne diseases. 

08/23/2026

Whenever a raccoon is stuck in a dumpster, we help them out with a ladder ❤️

08/21/2026

Bring something to the nature center tomorrow to tie dye! Going on from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm!

08/17/2026

Due to extreme fire danger and drought conditions, a burn ban is in effect for the park. Only propane and natural gas are permitted for cooking.

08/14/2026

Only four hours later, this is the difference in surface temperature!

08/14/2026

🥾Hiking Safety PSA🥾
We understand the urge to hike up the mountains! But please be aware that granite absorbs and reflects heat. Hiking on granite in hot weather is intense because exposed rock acts like a giant thermal oven, radiating heat upward and holding high temperatures long after the sun hits it. This photo was taken at noon when the ambient temperature was 95 degrees. As the afternoon progresses, the surface temperature will only grow hotter!
Most of the trails at Quartz Mountain climb up exposed bedrock, making summer hiking hazardous.
🔥 On exposed granite trails, the ground surface temperature runs 40 to 60 degrees hotter than the air temperature!
🐾These surface temperatures will burn your dog's paws.
☀️ We strongly encourage hikers to start early in the morning and end their hikes around 10:00 am.
💧 Stay hydrated! You need at least 1 quart of water per person per mile.
🧢 Wear proper hiking clothing and footwear. Sun shirts, hats, and hiking boots are recommended! We are in rattlesnake country!
☀️ Wear sunscreen!

08/05/2026

Quartz Mountain Lodge is hiring for a seasonal assistant groundskeeping position. This schedule is 40 hours a week, Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 4:30pm.

Job Posting Title Seasonal Groundskeeper - Quartz Mountain State Park Lodge Agency 566 DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND RECREATION Supervisory Organization Quartz Mountain Job Posting End Date Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank. Note: Applications...

08/05/2026

Quartz Mountain Lodge is hiring for a Maintenance 2 position:

Job Posting Title Construction/Maintenance Technician - Quartz Mountain State Park Lodge Agency 566 DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM AND RECREATION Supervisory Organization Quartz Mountain Job Posting End Date Refer to the date listed at the top of this posting, if available. Continuous if date is blank. Note:...