I’m not joking when I say that the Charon’s Garden Trail is, without doubt, my favorite trail in Oklahoma. It contains the perfect balance of danger, beauty, and fun.
To be honest, the first time I hiked Charon’s Garden was pretty terrifying. I DEFINITELY had the wrong shoes on. There’s a boulder scramble about 1 mile into the start from the northern trailhead, and it can get slippery, especially during the rainy season. If you’re new to boulder scrambles or unsure about hiking alone, I definitely recommend bringing a buddy. I always appreciate the extra hand when it comes to boosting up and over some of the larger boulders there.
The Charon’s Garden Trail contains gigantic boulders, waterfalls, river crossings, and beautiful flora and fauna. There’s so much to explore, and with the right mapping, you’ll be absolutely fine. Just make sure to use GPS tracking to confirm your placement on the trail. There are a ton of unmarked paths, and I have always lost the trail at least twice every time I have hiked there. Luckily, Hiking Project’s trail map is accurate, so it’s easy to use the app to relocate the trail.
Hiking Project: Charon’s Garden Trail
Plan Your Trip
I try to avoid crazy weather conditions while hiking, but it is possible to hike Charon’s Garden in the rain. Just make sure that you’re wearing approach shoes or something equally sticky. My La Sportiva Ultra Raptor IIs are super sticky, meaning they’re way less likely to slip on slick rock or steep paths. I’m in love with them, honestly. They have yet to fail me. La Sportiva is a great brand if you are looking for high traction (they also have great rock climbing shoes).
If you look at the trail online, you’ll notice that it’s only 2 and a half miles one way (5 miles out and back). If you walk at the speed of the average hiker, that means this trail should take you just under 2 hours (with no breaks). For some reason, this hike always takes me 4 to 5 hours to complete (with breaks). I think it has to do with all of the trail features. From the boulder area to a dozen river crossings, this trail takes longer than you’d think. I’d plan for an extra two hours of exploration, getting lost, and stopping for snacks along the way.
Starting the Hike
I’ve always started this hike from the northern trailhead, but if you start at the southern trailhead, just read the rest of this post knowing that all of the features I talk about can be found in the opposite order mentioned.
After you leave the parking lot, you’ll walk for about 3 minutes before you come across the Charon’s Garden Trailhead at the top of a set of stairs. From then on, keep an eye on your GPS/trail map to make sure you stay on trail. There are a ton of forks and unmarked paths, and most people find themselves off trail at least once during the hike.
Cross the Boulder Field
After hiking without much elevation gain (and on easy terrain) the first thing you’ll find is the boulder field. This is always my favorite part of the hike. You’ll be maneuvering in between, over, and around boulders until you find the path that continues on the other side of the field. It’s not much more than a 5-15 minute traverse, depending on how long you take to cross over. I recommend wearing shoes with a lot of traction to make it easier, because the boulders can get slick. It’s likely that you’ll need both your hands and feet to scramble, so take off your rings before you start.
Once you’re through the boulder field, the trail will lead downwards next to the valley floor (still covered in boulders). There are a few bouldering locations at the bottom, because the rocks are big enough that they form caves that you can explore. With the right weather, you could even bring a few bouldering pads, chalk, climbing shoes, and have a day out there climbing underneath the boulders. Check the ratings out on Mountain Project before you go.
As you’re hiking around the boulder field, look up to find a well-known rock formation called Crab Eyes. It looks like a pair of boulders balanced on a cliff that could fall at any moment. Before I knew their name, I thought it looked like a set of Mickey Mouse ears.
Visit The Narrows
Later on in your hike, you’ll come across The Narrows. It’s a canyon carved out by water that leads to a small waterfall. The canyon walls are made of red granite, and the trail crosses straight through the top of the waterfall. The granite can be slick, especially when wet, so mind your footing. It may be one of the shortest waterfalls you’ve seen, but I think it’s still pretty awesome.
Stop by the Post Oak Waterfall
If you want to visit a taller waterfall (I’m guessing around 30 feet), you can take a quick detour and visit the Post Oak Waterfall. There is a wooden sign directing you off of the main trail. It’s easier to spot if you’re hiking up from the southern trailhead, so keep an eye out. The detour will lead you up into a section of trees, where the ground is full of tree roots and mud. Eventually it becomes a small pool at the bottom of the waterfall. It’s small, but the spray of water it gives off can make it a nice place to take a break and cool off.
Visit Treasure Lake
You’ll know you’re close to the end of the trail when you see Treasure Lake. It’s also the starting point of the hike for hikers starting from the southern trailhead. It’s nice to take off your shoes and soak your feet in the cool water, or stop for a snack, admire the wildflowers, and listen to the frogs on the shoreline.
Finish the Hike!
The Charon’s Garden Trail follows a stream all the way throughout. From the beginning of each trailhead, you will cross the water many times, which makes it feel like an off-trail adventure. You’ll see the stream is connected to many water features, including at least two waterfalls and a lake. Keep in mind that the river has many forks, so you can’t just follow the water and expect not to get lost.
The most important things you’ll need to have on this hike are a GPS/Satellite tracking device (a phone) and waterproof or water-resistant hiking shoes with a lot of traction. In addition, you’ll want to pack your usual snacks, water, and bug spray for this hiking trip. Take a note of the Leave No Trace principles and pack out any trash or litter that you come across while hiking. Make sure that you consider the weather conditions when you pack water, so that you have enough for the day. This hike is absolutely fantastic, and I want you to enjoy it as much as I do!
