Sometimes opposites, like cold ice cream and hot fudge, are good. Plan a trip to Northwest Oklahoma and enjoy another set of complimentary opposites-a cool, dark cave and hot, white sand. Your itinerary can easily include both Alabaster Cavern State Park and Little Sahara State Park since they are less than an hour away from each other.

A New and Improved Cave

Alabaster Cavern, in Alabaster Cavern State Park (Freedom, OK), can now be seen in a whole new light. This past summer. the park service hired Frank Florentine, a lighting designer for the Smithsonian museum, to modernize the lighting system in the main cave. The new lights are computer controlled and are placed to show off the only gypsum cave in the nation. The system allows visitors to view new areas of the cave and showcases the cave's unique formations.

Highlights of the 45-minute tour include pink, white, and rare black alabaster boulders. In addition, the cave is home to five bat species which will begin hibernating in early October. The .75 mile tours over 350 stairs are given on the hour from 8am-4pm. Wear comfortable walking shoes and a jacket because the cave is 50 degrees year round-perfect for escaping the heat. Tours are $6 for ages 62 and over, $8 for adults 13 and up, $5 for children 6-12, and free for children 5 and under.

Take a Hike or Adventure Spelunk

In addition to seeing the main cave, you can spend the afternoon hiking one of the four trails in Cedar Canyon. The trails range from .50 to .75of a mile and travel through the cedars and creeks of the park. The four trails total 2.5 miles so even the kids can easily hike all of them. In addition to the hiking trails, the park has five undeveloped caves visitors can spelunk, but you will need to have a training session. Call 580-621-3381 for more information about how to get permission to spelunk. Alabaster Caverns also features a Nature Center with a wildlife exhibit and a wildlife watch area. Call ahead for a schedule of nature talks and tours.

Dragging the Dunes

The 1,600 acres of fine sand dunes are open 24 hours a day, so play on the sand dunes of Little Sahara State Park on a cool day or save the fun for an evening or early morning visit. Located south of Waynoka on Hwy 281, this is the only state park that is actually moving. The sands move northwest at a rate of up to one foot per year, so the Little Sahara you experience this year will not be the Little Sahara you'll experience next year-or even next month!

You may bring your own ATV to the dunes, but it must have a roll bar and safety equipment that meets state regulations. Lance Harzman at Little Sahara Power Sports advises against buying equipment before you arriving because a kit that meets all regulations is only $15 at the park. Park admission is $7 per day per rider. The park has covered picnic areas where you can take a break, but the concession stand will be closed after Labor Day. Though there are no designated hiking trails, there are some great walking areas where kids can play in the sand. For more information on the park, call 580-824-1471.

Sand Fest ‘05

If your family loves off-roading, don't miss Sand Fest, September 16-17, 2006. This two-day event features races for all types of ATVs and special events on both days. The park is generally packed during this weekend, so plan now and plan to stay outside the park. The closest town with a variety of motels is Woodward.

Camping

Fall is the perfect time to camp with the family-there is nothing better than s'mores on a cool evening. At present, campfires are allowed in designated fire rings, but check with the park ranger before you start your own fire as burn bans may be ordered. Both parks have campgrounds with showers, picnic areas, RV hookups, electricity, and water. RV sites are $14-$16 and tent sites are $7-8. Call 580-621-3381 for Alabaster Caverns reservations or 580-824-1417 for Little Sahara reservations. Little Sahara Power Sports also hosts a very clean private camping facility which you can view online at lspsonline.com.

Hot, dry sand dunes or a cool, camp cave—Northwest Oklahoma offers a vacation of opposite attractions that are perfect for a fall get away.

Pam Washington is the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Central Oklahoma. She and her husband Mike have been married for six years and have traveled Oklahoma with their blended family of five children.