The northern slopes support hardwoods with an open understory. A forest of dwarf oaks adds to the cover of vegetation, which includes several unique plant species, such as serviceberry and granddaddy graybeard, hidden away in small coves. Some of the slopes near the top of the ridge on the Oklahoma side are nearly vertical. In both states the ridge rises to scenic overlooks that offer spectacular vistas of this region. Lower slopes are heavily forested with shortleaf pine, blackjack oaks, and ancient dwarf oaks.
Solitude reigns here, as Black Fork Mountain receives few human visitors.