Roman Nose State Park sits about seven miles north of Watonga in a canyon carved by spring-fed Cedar and Bauer Creeks — a slice of dramatic red rock scenery that feels completely out of place in the surrounding flat wheat country. The canyon walls rise to about 35 metres and the creek bottoms are lined with cottonwood and oak. There is a small lake for swimming and fishing, a network of hiking trails along the mesa tops and canyon floors, and a lodge and restaurant that make it possible to stay overnight.
The park is a genuine surprise for visitors expecting only endless Oklahoma prairie. The hiking trails are short but give good views across the Canadian River valley to the south, and in autumn the canyon foliage is striking. The golf course is modest but pleasant. Weekends in summer bring local families out for the lake, so visit midweek if you want the trails to yourself.