EXPERIENCE ONE OF THE LARGEST GYPSUM CAVES IN THE WORLD.
First impressions can be deceiving for new visitors at Alabaster Caverns State Park, a remote 200-acre park in the small town of Freedom, located about 2-and-a-half hours northwest of the OKC metro. Most of this park’s magic lies below the surface in its 0.75-mile cave made of alabaster , a very rare type of gypsum, making it one of the largest gypsum caves in the world. Guided hikes run daily on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Take a stroll along a well-lit path for a chance to experience this underground marvel, home to five species of bats. Bats can often be found hibernating in the winter when the cave’s climate is drier. During our own cave tour, we had the opportunity to experience “total darkness” Alabaster Caverns State Park
for a few moments after our guide temporarily cut all the lights. While slightly unnerving, it left us feeling more beholden to electricity than ever before! For a unique adventure, try spelunking in one of four caves in the area, ranging in length from 550 to 1,600 feet, and maintained by the park just for wild caving. With the proper equipment, you can purchase a wild caving permit from April through September at the park office. While most of the park activity centers on the caves, families can also hike the nearby trails and observe birds and other wildlife in their natural habitat bordering a small canyon.
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