Chasing Stars at Black Mesa & The Future of Tinker AFB

Discover the "Gold Standard" of the Great Plains.

In this episode of the Only in OK Show, Brett and Harley take you to the furthest corner of the Panhandle to celebrate a historic milestone: Black Mesa State Park has officially become Oklahoma’s first International Dark Sky Park.

We dive into what it took to achieve this prestigious designation from DarkSky International and why "nocturnal heritage" is the next big thing for Oklahoma tourism. From removing "islands of light" to protecting the biological rhythms of bighorn sheep and mountain lions, we explore why Black Mesa is now a premier global destination for astrotourism.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The 5-Year Transformation: How the park retrofitted lighting to eliminate light pollution.

• Where the Rockies Meet the Prairie: The unique geology of the 30-million-year-old black lava rock.

• The High Point Trail: Navigating the nature preserve and the famous Okie-Tex Star Party.

• Astrotourism’s Economic Impact: How the village of Kenton and the OKC Astronomy Club put Oklahoma on the celestial map.

Stick around after the break: We’re heading to Midwest City because Tinker Air Force Base is getting a "Glow Up." Learn about the latest developments and what it means for the community.

Plan your visit:  https://www.travelok.com/state-parks/black-mesa-state-park-nature-preserve

Also discussed:  Chickasha Christmas Lights, Yukon Christmas Lights, Ralphie's Restaurant, Tinker AFB and Midwest City

#OnlyInOK #BlackMesa #DarkSkyPark #Stargazing #OklahomaTravel #ExploreOK #Astrotourism #TinkerAFB #OklahomaStateParks #KeepTheDark