Croton Creek
- 1.4 mi
- loop
- 11 ft
- climb
- 2,099 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- best months
Is Croton Creek open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Black Kettle National Grassland. It doesn't name Croton Creek, so check the source for the area it covers.
Temporary Area Closure for Youth Deer Hunt.
Agency closure covering Black Kettle National Grassland · Order 03-03-06-26-23 · USFS · Black Kettle National Grassland
As of · Source: USFS · Black Kettle National Grassland. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Croton Creek is an easy, short loop hike of about 1.4 miles on the Black Kettle National Grassland in western Oklahoma, part of the Cibola National Forest. The route stays nearly flat, rising only 11 feet from the start, with the highest point at about 2,099 feet and the lowest at about 2,084 feet. The trailhead is Croton Creek Trailhead, and the Forest Service manages the land. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run from highs around 71°F in April to 73°F in October, while July averages a high near 94°F. The loop is an easy outing that fits into a half day. Bikes are allowed on the natural surface trail, and the route is open year-round. Skipout is about 3.9 miles away, and the Battlefield Trail and NFS Trail are within roughly 7 miles. Anglers can reach the Black Kettle NG RD fishing stretch about 8.1 miles off.
Best time to go · Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Best time to visit Croton Creek
Best months: March–May and September–November. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
50° / 28°
Feb
53° / 30°
Mar
63° / 38°
Apr
71° / 47°
May
79° / 57°
Jun
88° / 66°
Jul
94° / 70°
Aug
91° / 68°
Sep
84° / 61°
Oct
73° / 49°
Nov
60° / 38°
Dec
50° / 29°
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Cheyenne 6sw Mesonet, OK, 6.9 mi away at 2,277 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
HIKE
Battlefield Trail
~11 min drive
1.38-mile out-and-back trail in Oklahoma with 75 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
NFS Trail
~12 min drive
0.47-mile out-and-back trail in Oklahoma with 30 ft gain.
HIKE
CREEK TRAIL SPUR
~18 min drive
1.38-mile out-and-back trail in Oklahoma with 89 ft gain/loss
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Creek Trail
~18 min drive
Creek Trail is a 1.38-mile out-and-back hike in Oklahoma with 78 feet of elevation gain.
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Centennial Trail
~52 min drive
0.35-mile out-and-back trail in Oklahoma with 10 ft of elevation gain.
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Riverside Trail
~52 min drive
0.55-mile out-and-back Riverside Trail in Oklahoma with 20 ft gain.
HIKE
Skipout
~7 min drive
4.06-mile loop trail in Oklahoma with 219 ft elevation gain.
HIKE
Upper Lake
~18 min drive
2.10-mile out-and-back trail at Upper Lake in Oklahoma with 115 ft of elevation gain.
HIKE
East Shore Trail
~48 min drive
A 1.26-mile out-and-back trail in Texas with 29 ft of elevation gain and easy difficulty.
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Lake Marvin
~48 min drive
A brief 0.81-mile out-and-back trail in Texas ideal for a quick hike.
