Plan your visit to
Uma Francine Oldman National Park
Experience everything our beautiful national park has to offer, including Oldman Lake, popular hiking trails, quiet camping spots, the town of Colesmith, Bane Cave, and the yearly UFO Festival!
Did You Know?
Oldman Lake is all that remains of an ancient cinder cone volcano known as Mount Misteriosa that erupted in 1838.
Click to enlarge.
​​Most people visit to enjoy the beautiful lake, go camping, or to take a hike, but others have come every year since 1972 for the annual UFO Festival which celebrates the out-of-this-world sightings and stories by avid UFO enthusiasts.
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Originally known as Mount Misteriosa, Oldman Lake is all that remains of an ancient cinder cone volcano that erupted in 1838. The eruption nearly destroyed all of the nearby town of Colesmith except for the house of Uma Francine Oldman, which was miraculously spared.
The park was established in 1888 and is home to many protected species of wildlife, trees, and plants.
Park Overview
Seasonal Camping
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15 primitive sites for tents or self-contained RVs
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Vault toilets
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Potable water
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Hiker/biker camp with three sites and electric plug-ins
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Universal access: three campsites are accessible to campers with disabilities.
Hiking Trails
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Four hiking trails of varying difficulty
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The first trail runs along the water; easy difficulty
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The second trail goes along the crater's rim; medium difficulty
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The third trail goes to nearby Wise Peak; for experienced hikers
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The fourth trail goes to the nearby town of Colesmith
History
After the volcano’s eruption, Uma Francine Oldman played a vital role in making sure the surrounding area was preserved so that future generations could learn about her former town and the beautiful, yet destructive forces of nature that spared her home. Fifteen years after Uma passed away, Uma Francine Oldman National Park was established in 1888 by the Federal Government.
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Since then, the park has been the epicenter for countless UFO sightings and stories by locals and visitors alike. Affectionately known as “Alien Crater" or UFO Park, many people gather yearly to celebrate the weird and otherworldly encounters at the UFO Festival co-sponsored by the National Park Service.
Standard Pass $15
Annual Pass $50
Senior Discount Pass $10
Park Fees
Alerts
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Attention: Bane Cave has been closed until further notice.
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Attention: The 50th Anniversary of UFO Festival has been canceled this year due to a cougar sighting in the park.