Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

By the end of the 1800s, the tens of millions of bison that once darkened the American plains had been hunted to the edge of extinction, with only a few hundred left alive. In 1907, in one of the earliest acts of American wildlife conservation, fifteen bison were shipped by rail from the New York Zoological Society and released into this new refuge in the Wichita Mountains, a bold effort to bring the species back.

The transplant succeeded. From that small herd, the refuge's bison grew and thrived, and Wichita Mountains became a cornerstone of the effort that saved the American bison from disappearing. Today the refuge maintains a herd of these great animals, along with elk that were also reintroduced and a herd of Texas longhorn cattle kept to preserve that historic breed, all roaming freely across the range.

The Wichita Mountains are among the oldest mountain ranges in North America, their granite forged roughly 500 million years ago, long before the age of dinosaurs. What rise from the plains today are the worn, resistant roots of a once far taller range, ground down over eons into rounded domes, boulder fields, and rugged crags of pink and gray granite.

Mount Scott, one of the highest and most accessible peaks, offers a sweeping view from its summit out over the plains and the refuge's lakes, reached by a road to the top. Across the refuge, the bare granite, mixed-grass prairie, and pockets of oak forest create a varied landscape that supports a surprising range of life in the middle of dry southwest Oklahoma.

Beyond the bison, elk, and longhorns, the refuge shelters white-tailed deer, coyotes, bobcats, and prairie dogs, whose towns dot the flats and feed hawks and other predators. The skies hold eagles, hawks, and vultures riding the updrafts around the peaks, and the lakes and streams draw herons, waterfowl, and migrating birds.

The mixed-grass prairie and granite are home to lizards, tarantulas, and rattlesnakes, so hikers watch the rocks and stay on trails. Wildflowers flush the slopes in a wet spring, and the refuge protects a genuine remnant of the native southern plains ecosystem, a glimpse of the wild country that once stretched unbroken across this region.

Spring and fall are the finest seasons, with mild air, the best conditions for hiking the granite, and, in spring, wildflowers across the slopes and active wildlife. Summer is hot, and the exposed rock can be punishing by midday, so visitors head out early and the lakes become welcome cooling spots. Winter is quiet and often mild, with crisp days good for wildlife watching and long views.

The refuge anchors a rewarding region. The nearby resort village of Medicine Park, with its cobblestone buildings, the Meers Store famous for its burgers, and the Holy City of the Wichitas all lie close by, and the historic Fort Sill sits at the mountains' edge, together making southwest Oklahoma a surprising and worthwhile destination.

The closest Boutel™ stays, so you can turn this stop into an overnight. Each is a place we chose through independent editorial review, never a paid placement.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, in southwestern Oklahoma near Lawton, is a magnificent refuge of ancient granite mountains, prairies, and lakes that is home to free-roaming bison, elk, longhorn cattle, and abundant wildlife. One of the oldest wildlife refuges in the country, it protects a stunning landscape of rugged rocky peaks rising from the plains, where herds of American bison and other animals roam freely, and offers hiking, wildlife viewing, rock climbing, scenic drives, and lakes. Its dramatic scenery and remarkable wildlife make it one of the finest natural destinations in Oklahoma. A spectacular and wildlife-rich refuge, it awes visitors. With its mountains and wildlife, the refuge offers a compelling destination in Oklahoma.

You can see free-roaming American bison, elk, longhorn cattle, deer, prairie dogs, and abundant birds and other wildlife amid the granite mountains and prairies of the refuge. The bison herds, the elk, the longhorns, and the prairie-dog towns are the draws, offering superb wildlife viewing in a beautiful setting. Seeing the great bison roaming free is a highlight and a link to the refuge's role in saving the species from near extinction. With its wildlife, the refuge offers a rewarding experience in Oklahoma.

The bison, elk, and longhorns at the refuge are large, powerful wild animals, so keeping a very safe distance, viewing them from your vehicle or from well back, never approaching or feeding them, and never getting between animals are essential for your safety, as bison can be dangerous and move surprisingly fast. Following all refuge rules and guidance protects both you and the wildlife. Keeping your distance and respecting the wild animals ensure a safe wildlife-viewing experience at the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.

You can view the free-roaming bison, elk, and longhorns, hike the trails among the granite peaks, drive the scenic roads, rock climb on the rugged rocks, enjoy the lakes, and take in the stunning mountain-and-prairie scenery. The wildlife viewing, the hiking and climbing, the scenic drives, and the beautiful landscape are the draws, making it a superb outdoor destination. The combination of wildlife and rugged scenery is remarkable. With its scenery and wildlife, the refuge offers a rewarding experience in Oklahoma.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is in southwestern Oklahoma near Lawton, within reach of Mount Scott, the Holy City of the Wichitas, Medicine Park, the Meers Store, and the Museum of the Great Plains in Lawton. That makes the refuge a compelling stop to combine with Mount Scott, Medicine Park, and the other attractions of southwestern Oklahoma on a visit to the state.