Lonesome Highway — Breaks of the Cimarron to Black Mesa via the Kenton Backdoor
Oklahoma's forgotten corner, higher than you think.
Black Mesa is the highest point in Oklahoma at 4,973 feet, and the road to its base via Kenton runs through terrain most people don’t believe exists in this state — juniper-pinyon breaks, red rock canyons carved by the Cimarron River, and a genuine sense that you’re in the wrong state, wrong decade, maybe wrong continent. The route links Boise City west across the High Plains to Kenton, then drops into the Cimarron River valley where the mesa looms above the surrounding grassland. Dinosaur tracks fossilized in the creek beds, petroglyphs on canyon walls, and the ruins of old ranching operations are scattered along the corridor. Mesa de Maya rises in Colorado just north of the New Mexico line — the whole area is a convergence of three states in some of the least-visited landscape in the American West.
Most of this runs on graded county roads and two-tracks that are passable in a stock high-clearance vehicle during dry conditions, but the Cimarron breaks section requires attention — steep clay banks and soft sand washes will punish overconfidence. No fuel between Boise City and Clayton, New Mexico — plan accordingly. Water is scarce; carry your own. Fall is ideal with cooler temps and the cottonwoods along the Cimarron turning gold. No permits required. Cell service is essentially nonexistent through the panhandle corridor.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Sand |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 84 mi / 135.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4973 ft |
| Best season | September-November, April-May |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD minimum, 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Boise City, OK |
| Land manager | Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve / Oklahoma Tourism; Cimarron County roads |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Oklahoma Tourism — Black Mesa |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this route, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance truck like a Tacoma or 4Runner handles this fine under dry conditions. The route is moderate — no rock crawling — but sandy sections and rutted county roads mean 4WD is genuinely useful, not just nice to have. A lifted rig isn't required, but low-range will earn its keep on the softer stretches.
When does this route get impassable, and what kills it — snow or mud?
Both. Spring snowmelt and summer thunderstorms turn the dirt and caliche county roads into greasy, axle-deep mud that'll strand even 4WD rigs. September through November and April through May are the reliable windows. Winter can close Black Mesa access roads entirely and Oklahoma Panhandle storms hit fast with zero warning.
Do I need a permit to drive this route or summit Black Mesa?
No permit is required to drive the backcountry roads or access Black Mesa State Park for day use. The summit trail at Black Mesa is free and open. If you're camping at Black Mesa State Park's campground, standard Oklahoma state park camping fees apply — check the Oklahoma Tourism site for current rates.
What's the hardest section, and what should I actually be worried about?
The Breaks of the Cimarron segment is the most demanding — canyon-edge two-tracks with loose sand, exposed drops, and no margin for a bad line if it's been raining. The trail won't technical-challenge you the way Moab does, but the remoteness is the real hazard: no cell service, sparse traffic, and recovery help is a very long time coming out here.
Where do I top off gas, and how far is the longest stretch between fuel stops?
Boise City is your last reliable fuel before the route and your resupply point after — Kenton has no services. The full 84-mile route plus any side exploration can push 120+ miles of driving from Boise City and back, so top off completely before you leave town and carry a spare can if your rig drinks fuel off-road.
Trail track
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