Put a new Oklahoma road trip on your calendar soon! The Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway is within an easy drive from central Texas, or anywhere in the Sooner State.
This route is probably the easiest to tour of Oklahoma’s scenic byways. The scenic drive is a short drive southwest of Oklahoma City and has more natural beauty and fewer gas stations than any other of Oklahoma’s scenic routes!
The Oklahoma route encircles Mount Zodletone Microbial Observatory, an important research facility. The best way to see this is to view it from your vehicle on mother road.
Because of the two ‘legs’, the journey takes a little bit more time. You wind up doubling back on roads you have already driven. However, both legs have some of the most unique and beautiful scenery, so you don’t want to skip them. In fact, both of those ‘legs of the trip were some of our favorites, and I used the trip back to take pictures of the scenery we drove past initially.
.
Wildlife Along the Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway
Many varieties of animals are within easy view inside the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. This makes viewing them easy as a significant leg of the byway runs through the Refuge.
A herd of around 650 free-range American Bison slowly graze the prairie grasses inside the refuge. They seem gentle, but here is a helpful hint: do not get out of your vehicle or approach the wild bison! They are not domesticated.
Additionally, Texas Longhorn cattle, elk, and white-tailed deer are among the 50 species of mammals that you can admire and photograph on your byways tour.
Birders, you can see as many as 240 species including large populations of black-caped vireo, a small species of bird that is hard to find elsewhere.
Herp enthusiasts (herpetologists), the area is home to 64 species of reptiles and amphibians.
Plant lovers, you can locate up to 806 varieties of plants and species!
Rainy Mountain
Rainy Mountain is revered by the plains tribes is because much of the vegetation nearby stay green year-round, and another is because, from certain perspectives, the 1540’ rise is reminiscent of the sunrise. The low dome is situated south of Mountain View and West of Highway 15.
The Kiowa Nation and Plains Tribes held sacred dances and rituals in this location until around the turn of the century. At one time it was home to a church, and a cemetery is still located here.
Saddle Mountain
There is a ranch or abandoned village to this name, but the view of Saddle mountain, with its opposing peaks, is absolutely amazing. This remote and pristine sight is easily visible from Highway 115 and is part of the million-year-old Wichita Mountains. Rocky outcroppings accentuate thickets of the cross timbers covering these mountains.
Kiowa Headquarters Fun on the cheap, Grandkid friendly
Carnegie Oklahoma is home to the Kiowa Headquarters and the Kiowa Tribal Museum. The museum’s mission is to preserve the Kiowa language, song, art, history, and traditions.
Displays include a large Sundance Teepee. You can also browse the art, photos, clothing, toys, weapons, and other amazing artifacts from the tribe’s culture. The museum is open for tours with advance notice.
Meers Store and Restaurant
We’ve been to the Meers Store a number of times and it’s one of those quirky attractions that is always busy. The line of people waiting to be seated sometimes winds around the enlarged entry lobby, up and downstairs, and goes outside, spilling over into the street.
It has been unprofessionally expanded several times, but that is part of the ambiance. There is a bunch of old stuff on the inside and the outside looks like it is closed. Don’t let those things fool you.
This is a favorite destination for bikers and even tourists enjoying the Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway.
They are famous for huge hamburgers served on a pie plate, cobbler and ice cream, and chicken fried steak. The dining experience here is unusual but memorable and the food is good.
Mountain View – Millie Durgan aka Millie Durgen
Technically, the marker commemorating the story of Millie Durgan is on the very edge of the Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway. If you turn back towards Mountain View, the marker is just down the road a bit on the southern side of the road.
Captured when Kiowa and Comanche warriors set out in 1864 to raid settlements in Young County Texas. She was 18 months at the time and AU-SOANT-SAI-MAH took note of the child and spared her life. He and his wife AH-MATE were childless and they took her in as their own.
In time, Millie was given the name SAIN-TOH-OODIE (Killed with Blunt Arrow). Her adoptive parents had high standing in the tribe and she was well cared for.
SAIN-TOH-OODIE married and lived her life in the Kiowa ways and religion. She only spoke Kiowa and settled in a house on her allotment near Mountain View.
Her son-in-law began tracing her Texas lineage when she was 66 years old. His curiosity was piqued during a ceremony honoring Cynthia Parker, the captured white, mother of Comanche Chief Quanah Parker, who also completely assimilated with her captors.
A historical Marker stands as a memorial to SAIN-TOH-OODIE (Millie Durgan) near Mountain view Oklahoma.
Blue Canyon/Caddo Wind Farms– Windmills Throughout the Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway
The Wichita Mountains Scenic Byway passes through interesting small towns and protected valleys, but travelers also get to witness two major Wind Farms as they operate.
Wind energy employs roughly 100,000 Americans. It is possible to increase that figure to 600,000 by 2050. The sight of these giant turbines is amazing!
The most common rotors are 410’ in diameter and the shrouded gear assemblies that sit behind the propellers are as large as small houses.
In contrast, the traditional American Plains windmill came about when inventor Daniel Halladay designed a wind-powered water pump. If you look closely, you will spot some of these antiques contrasting the modern marvels on state Highway 115 along the Wichita Mountains Byway.
Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge
The Wichita Mountain Scenic Byway passes through the 35-square-mile Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. It is one of the oldest managed nature preserves.
In 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt named the largest remnant block of Central and Southern Mixed Grassland a wildlife refuge, which has attracted more than one million annual visitors yearly since 1962.
This game preserve hosts diverse ecosystems with natural springs and ancient cross-timbers supports many species of birds, including large populations of black-capped vireo and wild turkeys. the open range is home to descendants of the first 15 bison which were transferred there from the Bronx Zoo.
Other attractions inside the forest preserve are some of the premier hiking trails in North America, 13 manmade lakes including Lake Quanah Parker, Lost Lake, and Lake Jed Johnson. Additionally, the Refuge is home to the Holy City of the Wichitas, one of the longest-running Easter Pageants in the United States.
Medicine Park
The resort town of Medicine Park Oklahoma is experiencing a revitalization and holding on to some traditions from bygone days. Art, music, food, lodging, swimming… it’s all here. Additionally, the community hosts music and seasonal festivals almost monthly.
On your next road trip, follow the scenic highway here to get lost or get noticed, it is up to you. Also, a couple of dispensaries just moved into town-so if you have a valid Oklahoma Medical Card, you can get Medicine from Medicine Park.
Camping
There are many opportunities for camping, whether you like laying on the ground under the stars (clouds) or relaxing in a luxury Fifth Wheel RV, you can find your spot. The Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge has Doris Campground for any camping. Additionally, Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area and Medicine Park both offer primitive camping accessibility.
Prairie Dog Town
You are not supposed to play Whack-A-Mole with these cute little animals! They make wonderful roadside attractions, though.
The animals also form a healthy symbiotic relationship with the herd of once extinct bison. The bison keep the brush cleared away so the prairie dogs can see predators approaching in time to take cover. The dogs (not really dogs, but marmots) keep the vegetation actively growing. This is even more beneficial because the bison favor these grasses.
There are at least two prairie dog towns within easy view from the highway inside the refuge. The Turkey Creek Prairie Dog Town has a nice roomy parking area. Stop there and admire the critters. Chances are, other well-traveled visitors will be there too. The animals are skittish but come within mere feet of humans if you are quiet and don’t make sudden movements.
Mount Scott
A winding, three-mile road takes motorcyclists, cars and pickups, hikers, and bicyclists to the 2464’ above sea level summit. It is the tallest public use peak in the Wichita Mountains. Mount Pinchot, at 12’ taller lies within the restricted area of the Reserve.
The easiest accessible place for incredible vistas, visitors come to the mountain for photography, repelling, hiking, and more.
Oklahoma’s highest point is actually far from the preserve, near Boise City in the western Oklahoma panhandle. Black Mesa, touts a 4,973′ elevation.
Lake Lawtonka
The largest lake along the Wichita Mountains Scenic Byways Lake Lawtonka. It is favored for fishing, boating, swimming, and waterskiing. Amenities include camping and picnicking. Additionally, an ADA-accessible marina has shower and restroom facilities as well as snacks and fuel.
THANKS FOR READING!
Looking for more information about the area?
The Wichita Mountains:
Want to know more about who we are? Click HERE to learn more about us and what we do.
