The park began as a 158.3-acre tract adjacent to Lake Altus donated to the state by local residents, who had bought the land for $51.58.

[4] The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) established a camp in 1935 at the present park site.

An electrical fire destroyed public access areas of the lodge in 1995, but spared the wing with rooms.

The state spent $17 million to build a new Resort and Arts Conference Center, which opened on March 8, 2001.

[3] In an effort to ensure the Baldy Point area was preserved, a popular climbing destination since the 1970s, when the land was privately owned, it was purchased in 2001 by The Access Fund, then donated to the State of Oklahoma.