Robbers Cave State Park, Wilburton

There was a time when Robbers Cave State Park wasn’t named as such. If it had, it would have been a pretty obvious tip for police, who might have stumbled upon outlaws such as Jesse James, Belle Starr, and the Youngers hiding out from the law. The wooded hills, rugged caves, and remote location amid the Sans Bois Mountains made it an ideal place for the infamous to disappear after robbing a train or showing the townsfolk their bare ankles.

Today, this same natural landscape attracts a different sort of adventurer—rock climbers, cave explorers, and all manner of outdoor enthusiasts. The park's 8,200 acres include three fishable lakes that teem with trout and perch, and the trails offer scenic trips for hikers, mountain bikers, and equestrians. Climbers scale and rappel sandstone cliffs, and the wilderness area's wildlife attracts hunters and nature watchers.

After trying to track down the old outlaw cave among the sandstone hills and cliffs—which can reach heights of 1,500 feet—visitors warm up next to the fireplace in one of the park's 26 cabins. To make visits comfortable, these feature fully equipped kitchens, linens, and satellite TV, as well as central heat and air. The Belle Starr View Lodge also welcomes guests, and there are plenty of sites for tents, RVs, and stockpiles of loot as well.