Recreation abounds at Roman Nose State Park -
you can enjoy fishing, golf, horseback riding, tennis, boating, hayrides and more!
 

Current news on the updates at Roman Nose State Park

Why is the park named "Roman Nose"?
J. B. Cronkhite was the first man to design and build a recreational facility in the big canyon. Cronkhite had the name "Big Springs Resort" picked out for his park. You can read why he abruptly cancelled his plans in the summer of 1926 in M. C. Weber's Roman Nose: A History of the Park. When Watonga and NPS and CCC were ready to open the park, they planned on using the name "Big Springs State Park"; but Dr. Charles Gould pointed out that there were other parks in Oklahoma with that name and he suggested the name Roman Nose in honor of the man who had lived at the site. The name, he contended, would reflect the park's Indian heritage and distinguish it from other public recreational areas.
 

Who was Chief Roman Nose?
Chief Roman Nose lived in this rugged canyon from 1887 until he died there in 1917. He was born in 1856 and given the name Woquini meaning "Hook Nose". He grew to manhood within a hostile environment involving many Cheyenne raiding parties. In 1875 all warring Cheyennes returned to the agency at Darlington. Here he was arrested and sent to Ft. Marion in St. Augustine, Florida where he learned to speak, read and write the English language. He was then moved to an Institute in Virginia. Here he accepted the Christian faith and was baptized Henry Caruthers Roman Nose. His name Henry came from Richard Henry Pratt, the commander of the fort in St. Augustine. His name Caruthers came from Mrs. Horace Caruthers, his devoted teacher and friend in Florida. He learned tinsmith at a boarding school in Pennsylvania before returning to his homeland in 1881. Roman Nose discovered much had changed during the six years he had been away. Traditional Indian ways were almost nonexistent. White domination permeated all aspects of Indian life. Slowly he became disillusioned with what the whites offered. Roman Nose eventually spurned the white society. He left the agency and took his family to live in what is now Roman Nose State Park.  
 

Roman Nose Resort Park is one of the original seven Oklahoma State Parks, constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps and opened to the public in 1937. Today, Roman Nose Resort Park features a lodge, cabins, RV and tent campsites and an 18-hole golf course. The park features distinctive white outcroppings of gypsum and beautiful mesas. Hiking, biking and equestrian trails offer visitors spectacular vistas and a wide range of recreational opportunities.

 Roman Nose Resort Park is located on SH-8 and SH-8A seven miles north of Watonga, 81 miles northwest of Oklahoma City, near Lakes Watonga and Boecher. Once a favorite area of the Cheyenne tribe, this area is a scenic retreat set on a canyon bluff that overlooks ancient mesas. Towering cedars, buffalo grass, and wild blue sage add to the beauty of the legendary setting, and to the enjoyment of numerous recreational activities.

 20 Guest Rooms, 10 Cottages, Fairway Cottage (sleeps 10), 7 Campgrounds, 48 RV Sites, Tent Camping, 5 Equestrian Campsites, Group Camp, Rent-A-Teepee, Conference Facilities, 2 Meeting Rooms (capacity 150), Redbird Restaurant, Full-Service Bar, 2 Swimming Pools

 Reunion/Community Building, Amphitheater, 633 Park Acres, 55 Acre Lake Watonga, 8 Acre Lake Boecher, Hiking, Biking & Nature Trails, Equestrian Trail, Horseback Riding, Hayrides, Fishing, Canoeing, Paddle boating, Tennis, Volleyball

 18 Hole Golf
Course open daily 7 am through dusk.
Also putting green, Pro Shop, Rental Clubs, Golf Carts, Pull Carts, Scenic golf: Roman Nose's course overlooks ancient canyons. The Roman Nose Golf Course was designed by Floyd Farley, and it makes use of the underlying gypsum rock and hilly terrain of Oklahoma's red rock canyon country. Countless loads of topsoil and yards of terracing have made this course newly lush in recent years. But with narrow sloping fairways and elevated greens, accuracy remains the key to success here: golf pros insist a high, soft flop shot is the secret to good scoring. Canyons border fairways and some holes, and drop offs of 30 or 40 feet are common. The course's signature seventh hole is known as the "Canyon Hole," for its natural hazard. But the sixth hole is considered the toughest thanks to a narrow, elevated green.
State Membership Packages available as well as our Roman Nose Resort Park Golf Package.

 

1/23/10

To Supporters and Those Interested in Progress at Roman Nose Lodge,

Be assured progress continues on all phases of construction at Roman Nose Lodge. I continue to be pleased as we work toward a fall 2010 re-opening of the new facility, but I have a difficult message to share with you today. As I have promised to keep you updated regarding activity at the lodge, I feel it is important to make you aware of some actions taken earlier today related to several lodge employees. To date, we had been able to retain the ten employees assigned to the lodge.

However, it is no longer possible to keep all ten fully employed. Five lodge employees were notified today that their employment with the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department is being terminated. Please understand that some of these employees have been with us a long time and it has been a very painful decision. We are grateful for their service to Roman Nose State Park. However, this current down-sizing is a decision we had to make to be fiscally responsible. There is simply not enough work to keep all ten people fully employed.

Of course the people affected will receive all benefits due them, and they received a contact sheet of information for various services. Additionally, please know these employees will be eligible to apply and compete for any positions to be rehired at the lodge when it reopens. We still employ five lodge employees as well as the existing park and golf course staff members. Again, construction progress continues on pace. We appreciate your support as we work through reconstruction and toward reopening of the new lodge.  

 

12/2/09 - Hello All Supporters and Those Interested in Progress at Roman Nose Lodge,

It is an exciting week. I am pleased to report that construction efforts on Phases 3 & 4 began this week at Roman Nose Lodge. Boldt Construction has received its official Notice to Proceed from DCS Construction and Properties, and on Wednesday, December 2, 2009, established its trailer office on-site and completed its initial pre-construction meeting. Subcontractors are expected to begin work next week. Meanwhile, Henson Construction continues to make great progress on Phase 2. Pictures are included to a couple of photos (taken 12/2) that provide you more perspective from the new entry. I am pleased with how things are moving along … and with the beauty and quality of construction.

I hope you will be too. I will provide a more detailed update as additional work begins in earnest. Meanwhile, I ask that you all remember, the Lodge area is a construction zone and is not open to the public. Travis and his team continue to operate the remainder of the park (which is open to the public) and I appreciate the good job he and his team are doing. I also continue to appreciate the very fine work of Studio Architecture and our internal Chief Architect George Slosky and his group. While much work remains, I am excited by the progress and I look forward to the reopening of Roman Nose Lodge sometime in the Autumn of 2010. Thanks to each of you for your continued support and patience with this very important project.

Best regards, Hardy

 

 October 1, 2009
To Supporters and Those Interested in Progress at Roman Nose Lodge,

 It has been some time since my last update. However, please know that construction progress on Phase 2 of the Lodge is well underway. I have attached two photos which highlight the construction progress. One showcases the new entrance area looking from the old parking lot; the other is an overview from the 12th hole of the golf course.

Our architects and construction professionals indicate things are moving along well. Based on the current schedule, we expect this phase to be completed by March 2010. I am also pleased to report to you that the bid period closes today for Phases 3 & 4 (ADA accessibility rooms, restrooms and original lodge renovation.)

We are optimistic we will receive competitive price responses. We had more than a dozen general contractors attend the mandatory pre-bid. That’s a very good sign. Please know that our architectural services firm and our internal professionals will be reviewing those bid responses, then making a recommendation. We will then take that recommendation to our Commission and my goal/hope is that we can award Phases 3 & 4 so that work will continue seamlessly on-site.

Please forgive the length of time since my last message, but please know that work continues on-site every day. The current direction – and all above information – is consistent with what we discussed when I was in Watonga for the Town Hall discussion. We continue to encourage travelers to visit the park, and I am impressed with the work Travis and his team are accomplishing there. I also continue to appreciate the support of your legislative leaders, Lt. Governor Askins, and our Commission - as well as the fine work by Henson Construction.

Again, the park area and golf course are open for business. The lodge area is a construction zone and not suitable for touring. Please email me if you have any questions or comments. And please remember, the attached photos are construction photos. But, I am proud that you can begin to see the caliber and quality that is coming to the new and improved Roman Nose Lodge.

 May 15, 2009
To Supporters and Those Interested in Progress at Roman Nose Lodge,

 Good news!
The Oklahoma Department of Central Services (DCS) Construction and Properties (CAP) Group has approved Henson General Contractors to begin construction on Phase 2 of Roman Nose Lodge. This phase represents nearly $1.5 million in expenditures and includes: site preparation and work, new entry, parking lot improvements, landscaping, reconstructed offices and renovated lobby.

Additionally, our architectural group is hard at work on Phase 3 (ADA accessible rooms/public restrooms) and Phase 4 (original lodge renovation/reconstruction). We expect to have all architectural drawings and cost estimates completed by no later than mid-June 2009.

I look forward to that information because – following that – I would like to return to Watonga for another community meeting. We will be in a position then to talk realistic timelines, show concepts/designs and answer questions anyone may have. This project is truly an exciting one, and in the end, I am certain everyone will be extremely pleased with the plans for Roman Nose Lodge’s future. Again, the good news.

We have reached another milestone with Phase 2 contract approval. In the next few days, you should see mobilization of the General Contractor and sub-contractors on-site. Please remember, the lodge area is a construction zone. Access is restricted. However, the golf course, cottages, campgrounds, trails and other public facilities are open for the public to enjoy.

As always, I appreciate your continued support and patience as we work toward renaissance of Roman Nose Lodge.

Take care.
Best Regards,
Hardy Hardy Watkins, Executive Director Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department