We are traveling from the Wichita Falls area and it takes us about an hour and a half to get to this portion of southwest Oklahoma. It’s perfect for a weekend trip, an all-day trek, or just a Sunday afternoon drive. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge really does have something for everyone.

Since moving to this area, we have made countless journeys there. It’s still one of the first places we recommend people visit when they are in the area. There are so many things to do in the Wichita Mountains. There truly is something for just about everyone.

Outdoor enthusiasts of all sorts can find a niche. Bring lunch and visit one of the picnic areas, or walk to the top of Mt. Scott which is the highest point in the public area of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Note- it’s easier to get to the top of Mount Scott by taking a vehicle up the Mount Scott Roadway than it is to walk!

Whether you are young or old, love outdoor activities like camping or hiking, like to visit museums, or just prefer to just drive around an area, There are lots of things to do in the Wichita Mountains.

Brief History of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

The 59,020-acre Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge is one of those hidden gems that we discovered soon after we relocated to North Texas. The Refuge is located near Medicine Park in Southwestern Oklahoma. It is packed with things to do in and around the Wichita Mountains.

Initially, President William McKinley set the acreage aside for conservation. Soon after that, President Theodore Roosevelt put made the proclamation creating the nation’s first big-game animal refuge. Now there are numerous sites that are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Habitats of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

The habitats of the Wichita Mountains consist of prairie grasslands, lakes, and mountains. This means that the refuge lands are great for a multitude of wildlife.

There are over 240 species of birds and over 806 different plant species. Additionally, there are 36 different species of fish and 64 different reptiles and amphibian species.

Herds of bison, longhorn cattle, and elk, along with other mammal species have been purposefully introduced. But there is also an extensive number of native species and native wildlife that still thrive in the Refuge. All of them are overseen, of course, by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

We drove through the very flat land around Lawton, in Comanche County Oklahoma on a short road trip. We were stunned to see the mountains suddenly jut up as we drew closer.

Then we drove through the Refuge and were totally blown away. It is the best place that I have experienced where you can drive, hike, and camp in a park with open range animals.

Things to do- Animal Watching in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

One of the first things you will notice upon entering the Refuge is that the animals are free to roam through the majority of the area. American bison, Texas longhorn cattle, prairie dogs, and wild turkeys are free-range and can typically be seen from the road.

Bison were extinct in the area until 1907 when a bison herd of fifteen animals was delivered from the New York Zoological Park, later to become the Bronx Zoo.

Rocky Mountain Elk are also on the premises, though they are more challenging to find. Small herds of longhorn and buffalo, however, dot the hillsides and pastured areas.

There are a host of other animals, bird species, insects, reptiles, etc… that all make the refuge their home. The visitor center is a great resource for more information and visuals on the animals as well as their habitats.

There are a couple of places where you can stop the car and watch the prairie dogs. The prairie dog town near the Holy City has a healthy population of the little furry critters scurrying across the grass and diving into their holes!

An even better area, though slightly smaller, is on the Hwy. 49 heading East. There is a small parking lot where you can pull off the road and get out to watch them.

Visitor Center

The visitor center opened in 1997 and consists of 22,000 square feet of exhibit space. Upon entering, you can watch a short but interesting movie explaining the history of the refuge along with various changes that have been made over the years.

As you wander through the center, you pass through a variety of dioramas and interactive exhibits focusing on the flora, fauna, and habitats of the area. At the end of the regular exhibits, there is an art exhibit where works of various photographers and artists are displayed.

In all, the center packs a perfect-sized oasis of history and information without being so large that you need several hours to go through everything. Perfect to provide a brief, air-conditioned respite from the blistering summer heat if needed.

While there is a lovely, small gift shop, the center is free of charge. Donations are accepted and it’s definitely worth a few dollars if you can provide any support.

Mount Scott

One of the highest mountains in Oklahoma, Mount Scott is 2,464 feet above sea level. You can access the summit via a three-mile, paved road by either driving, walking/hiking, or biking.

At the summit of the mountain is a large parking lot, though it does get pretty busy in the height of summer. The parking lot is large enough, however, that we have never had trouble finding a parking spot.

The views are spectacular and you can climb around on the rocks if you want an even better vantage point. Be sure and bring your camera!

As you look down on the top of the clouds and birds, be sure and watch for other wildlife among the rocks. The area is home to some of the most colorful lizards and you don’t want to miss seeing them.

Holy City

The Holy City is the site of the longest-running annual Easter passion play in the nation. Additionally, there is a memorial for the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing, the World Chapel, and the Veterans Walkway.

Overseen by the Works Progress Association, the CCC built the feature in the 1930s, the ‘city’ encompasses a 66-acre area, made to look similar to Israel during the days of Christ. Full-sized building facades that resemble the Court of Herod, Pilate’s judgment hall, the temple court, and the Lord’s Supper building were all constructed from locally-quarried granite.

Along with watchtowers and perimeter walls, visitors can also explore the site’s version of the Garden of Gethsemane and Calvary’s Mount.

Hiking Trails in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

In addition to Mount Scott, Little Baldy Trail, Elk Mountain Trail, Jed Johnson tower trail, and Forty-Foot Hole trail, there are many other miles of trails to hike throughout the refuge. With a range of distance, degree of difficulty, and some that require a bit of bouldering over rocky outcrops, there is at least one trail for nearly everyone.

Discover incredible places off the paved roads such as the open grass prairie range in the Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area, the blackjack oaks of the Wichita Forest, or discover crystal clear lakes teeming with largemouth bass and other fish species.

Some trails are better marked than others, so I’d bring a map just in case. The shorter ones with easily identified landmarks like the Tower and Old Baldy are very simple to navigate as both landmarks are visible the entirety of the trek.

All of the trails range in distance with the smallest (Bat Cave Trail) stretching a mere 0.5 of a mile while the longest hike is 6.8 miles if you take the Kite Trail to Bison Trail Loop. Most of these hiking routes are in the easy and moderate range categories with the one exception of Boulder Mountain Trail, which is categorized as being hard.

Forty-Foot Hole

To reach the Forty-foot Hole, it’s best to go shortly after a rain, otherwise, the waterfall won’t be charged. This looped trail is 1.4 miles long, has a 154’ elevation change, and consists of a variety of terrains.

The trail isn’t marked, but it runs along the side of a mountain. If you don’t have a trail map downloaded, you don’t need it, stay on a similar elevation and go. Great short hike!

Watch for tall grass and prickly pears. Going in, the left trail has the better views. Make sure you experience both sides of the loop. There are opportunities to boulder and the views when you get to the end are amazing.

Quanah Parker Lake and Dam

The Quanah Parker Dam, named after Comanche Chief Quanah Parker, is beautiful! This WPA constructed vertical and concreted structure holds an 89-acre fishing and wildlife habitat lake. You can put in your small watercraft and navigate the entire lake, or you can fish from the three-mile shoreline.

There is a lot of understory brush around the shore, so it isn’t all accessible, but you can certainly access the water if you don’t have a boat, canoe, or kayak. The dam itself is accessible via stairs on each end, and you get superb views of both the lake and canyon.

When water is abundant, the relief valve will be open and water will flow down the ravine- it isn’t a waterfall, but the sight and sound of the running water are peaceful and relaxing.

Quanah Parker Trail/Little Baldy Loop

(One of our favorite hikes in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge)

This is a versatile, 1.6-mile hike with three terminal points and a loop. The Lake Quanah Parker Dam, the top of Little Baldy, and the Doris Campgrounds are the start/stop points.

The trail isn’t marked, but it has enough definition to never feel lost. We saw birds, lizards, and lots of butterflies and dragonflies. Also, we found colorful wildflowers in purples, greens, and yellows.

You will want to watch out for cacti and prickly pears because those fine, delicate-looking spines are not delicate and they can go through shoes. (One very slight brush is all it took for me to get to spend several minutes picking them out of my shoe and foot.)

We love this trek and really enjoy the top of little Baldy! You can do a little bouldering to get there or you can stair-step the circumference and eventually spiral up.

We’ve taken this hike several times. It is very appealing because the apex is easily seen from the visitor center and the main roadways. Facing east, you can easily see beyond Lake Quanah Parker and the Visitor’s Center.

To the west, native prairie grassland terrain gently rolls to the distance. We have seen herds of longhorns, and we fully expect to see buffalo too.

Note: Every time I hike here, I see parents hiking up the trail with very small children and carrying them back down (some crying). Children can easily make this, but be sure and plan ahead so no one in your family gets exasperated.

Lake Jed Johnson/Jed Johnson Tower Trail

The trail from the edge of Lake Jed Johnson is 1.4 miles out and back. The trail is friendly to small children and others who may not be in peak physical condition.

It is a better hike in dry conditions. People love the tower- it was built in 1940, between the Great Depression and World War II. For a while, it served as a fire watch tower but is permanently closed because of structural concerns.

The trail isn’t marked, nevertheless, landmarks are always visible, so no worries about disorientation. Once you reach the trail’s end, you can hike through brush and undergrowth for a short distance. At that point, the challenge level increases, and you can hike/boulder/climb to the top and experience great views!

The views to the south and toward the lake are stunning. The lake itself is a 54.5 surface acre reservoir and is open to public fishing from shore, or canoe, kayak, and small craft with a trolling motor.

Parallel Forest

Developed and planted by the federal government, the Parallel Forest is over 16 acres of red cedar trees that are planted exactly 6 feet apart from one another. Originally planted as an experimental attempt to combat the Dust Bowl, it has survived over the years and is almost eerie in its very uniformity.

The ‘creepiness’ seems to go beyond a visual inspection. Many visitors report hearing voices and unknown noises along with being scared and fearful. Urban legend at its finest?

Fanciful imaginations? Or is there actually something haunting the woods? Check it out and see.

Hiking Trails in the Wichita Mountains

Doris Campground

The campground area has a wide variety of opportunities for campers and almost all have the option of sites with or without electricity. Group camping sites, semi-primitive sites, as well as single-unit camping sites provide a range of options for a total of 90 sites.

There are fire rings, fire grates/grills, and tables at each site and a restroom/shower complex is centrally located but chemical toilets with non-potable water are conveniently located throughout the grounds.

None of the RV sites have individual water or sewage options, but there is a dump station centrally located.

How to Get to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Several roads lead into the refuge. We typically enter from the town of Cache after a winding drive through the cotton fields and pastures.

It is a little faster coming in from Lawton, but we love watching for wildlife and enjoying the beauty of the back roads. We also enjoy driving through parts of Fort Sill.

That said, at the end of our day, we typically return home via Lawton and the Interstate. This way we can also stop for a bite to eat in Medicine Park or go to Meer’s.

Things to Bring to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Summers are no joke in Oklahoma, so prepare for hot, humid weather if you are visiting during those months. This is especially important if you will be hiking any of the trails.

You will need your typical supplies for any type of hike: water, sunglasses, a hat, good shoes for hiking. You should also wear clothing that will protect you from the sun, thorns, nettles, and insects.

Along with those items, bring bug spray, sunscreen. We also always bring either a first-aid kit or some first-aid supplies so we are prepared for most eventualities.

Several years ago, my knee popped out of the joint. Since that time, I am especially cautious when hiking. I always carry trekking poles with me. The few times I have left them, I have regretted it. Now I have a pair of telescopic poles that I can attach to my backpack and bring them even when I think I won’t need them.