Beaver Dunes State Park:  580.625.3373, www.touroklahoma.com, bvrdunes@ptsi.net.   Directions:  Located in the town of Beaver.  From intersection of West 3^rd Street and US Hwy270/ SH 23 in Beaver, go north on US Hwy 270 for 1.4 miles to state park.           

What to Expect:  A visit to the High Plains Loop will expel the perception that the Plains are flat!  The vistas  and rolling hills in this Loop, uniquely positioned between the Cimarron and Beaver rivers, combines the characteristics of desert streams with those of the humid East. Along the rivers narrow strips of cottonwoods tower over scrubby willows in the understory.  Here you will find red-headed woodpeckers, wild turkeys and porcupines.  On the north side of Beaver River bands of sand dunes are covered with a shrub community of sand plum and fragrant sumac (a.k.a. skunkbrush).  Combine sand dunes with bluffs topped by shortgrass prairies along with scattered playas (see description in Loop 2) and the traveler can anticipate this diverse topography yielding up diverse wildlife-viewing opportunities:  orioles, Bell’s vireo and painted buntings breed in the sand dune shrubbery; prairie dog towns with their dependent wildlife such as burrowing owls, ferruginous hawks, badgers and Texas horned lizards live in the shortgrass prairies; and waterfowl, shorebirds, and wading birds enjoy plankton productivity in the playas after a rain.

Lodging: Beaver: Hillcrest Motel 580.625.4561; Beaver Motel 580.625.4543 Camping & RV Hookups: Beaver Dunes State Park (contact info above). Buffalo: Curve Motel (580.735.2570); Sportsman’s Motor Court (580.254.8020; Camping & RV Hook-ups:  Doby Springs Park (580.735.2654 or 735.2521) www.pldi.net/~buffalo/chamber.html.  Laverne:  (4) motels: www.laverneok.com.  RV Hook-Ups:  Laverne City Park.

Special Note:  Be aware that cellular phone signal availability is limited within this Loop.

One-Day Outings:  Pack a picnic lunch or enjoy lunch at any of the local cafes.

Beaver Dunes State Park (3-1):  Offers a variety of family recreational activities including a 1-mile interpretive hike through the dunes, horseshoes, volleyball, picnicking areas and of course there is the Off-Road Vehicle dune area for motorcycles, dune buggies, ATV’s and 4 x 4’s.  Park Permit Required.  Contact Information above.

Beaver River Wildlife Management Area (3-2):  With a high-clearance vehicle a traveler can truly experience the sagebrush and shortgrass prairie, the classic western river bottom and the shrubby sand dunes within this 17,000 acre area.  For travelers without a high-clearance vehicle, drive the main north-south area road (11 miles west of Beaver, south side) through this amazing wildlife area.  Note:  No Public Restrooms.

For more Information:  806.339.5175.

Doby Springs State Park (3-9):  Offers a variety of family recreational activities including hiking along mowed paths through rolling canyons, fishing, and picnicking areas.  This oasis is located next to a scenic nine-hole golf course.  580.735.2654 or 580.735.2521. No public restrooms.

Birding Route:  Allow 20 minutes before sunrise to reach Stop 1.  From the south side of Beaver, turn west on road EW14 at the Beaver River WMA (3-2) sign, go 14 miles and turn north at the WMA sign.  Drive ½ mile to your first stop: a prairie dog town.  Next stop, go back to asphalt road, turn east and drive 3 miles to large WMA sign and turn north.  Stop 2: This gravel road will take you through the WMA to a paved road. Travel back to Beaver and head east on road EW14, following signs to Stop 3: Lake Evans Chambers (3-4) (a.k.a.Clear Lake). On pavement head east through Laverne to Stop 4: Laverne slough (3-8) (A bison herd can be seen just north of Laverne).  Go east to Hwy 46 and go north to Stop 5:  Doby Springs Park (3-9). Go west of Hwy 64 to Stop 6: Gate Playa (3-6). Stop 7:  If at dusk, backtrack to the Rosston Turkey Roost (3-7) to watch the wild turkeys come into roost.

Guest Ranches

Edgecreek Ranch (3-5) sits just south of Beaver River on a small creek with several springs and ponds.  Lodging accommodations and camping are offered.  Contact:  580.837.5377.

Hackamore/Maple YL Ranch (3-3) is a 15,000-acre working ranch which will transport a visitor back to the old west setting complete with prairie chicken booming grounds and prairie dog towns.  Contact:  580.323.3964; www.hackamoreoklahoma.com. 

Lotspeich Ranch (3-11) is a 10,000 acre ranch along the Cimarron River which offers viewing opportunities for prairie chickens, prairie dog towns, a huge herd of wild turkeys and guided hunts.  Lodging includes 3 houses. Contact:  580.921.5813.

Tres Venados (3-10) is a beautiful location with lake and lots of trees.  Hiking, cook-outs, tours and hunting are available.  Contact: 1.888.347.4690.