National park · United States
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Go for one full day by car: drive Mount Scott Road for the summit view, walk the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) Charons Garden loop from Post Oak Lake, and look for bison and elk at dawn or after 17:00; skip the midday heat in July–August and the Sunday-morning road closure.Go for one full day by car: drive Mount Scott Road for the summit view, walk the 1.5 km (0.9 mi) Charons Garden loop from Post Oak Lake, and look for bison and elk at dawn or after 5:00 PM; skip the midday heat in July–August and the Sunday-morning road closure.Go for one full day by car: drive Mount Scott Road for the summit view, walk the 0.9 mi (1.5 km) Charons Garden loop from Post Oak Lake, and look for bison and elk at dawn or after 17:00; skip the midday heat in July–August and the Sunday-morning road closure.Go for one full day by car: drive Mount Scott Road for the summit view, walk the 0.9 mi (1.5 km) Charons Garden loop from Post Oak Lake, and look for bison and elk at dawn or after 5:00 PM; skip the midday heat in July–August and the Sunday-morning road closure.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²)
approximate
Established
1936
Best months
Mar–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²)
- About 59,000 acres (roughly 240 km²) of mixed-grass prairie, granite hills and reservoirs; the figure varies by source (check).
- Established
- 1936
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the oldest unit in the US Fish and Wildlife Service refuge system, set aside in 1936 on land that was first a national forest from 1901. It protects roughly 240 km² of undisturbed mixed-grass prairie and a cluster of granite hills — some of the oldest rock in this part of the hemisphere, left over from a failed continental rift about 500 million years ago. There is no entrance fee. Bison, elk, deer and prairie dogs roam free, Mount Scott Road drives to a 360° summit view, and Charons Garden Wilderness is a rough on-foot scramble through boulders and bigtooth maple. The gateway town of Medicine Park sits just outside the eastern gate; Lawton, 30–40 minutes away, has the hotel beds.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1936.
Size and age
240 km² (93 sq mi)93 sq mi (240 km²) · national park since 1936
About 59,000 acres (roughly 240 km²) of mixed-grass prairie, granite hills and reservoirs; the figure varies by source (check).
Why go
- Free entry, and the oldest unit in the US Fish and Wildlife Service refuge system.
- Bison, elk, deer and prairie dogs in one morning of driving, with no fence between you and the grass.
- Mount Scott Road climbs to a 360° summit view over the oldest mountains in this part of the hemisphere.
- Charons Garden Wilderness is a short, rough walk into granite boulders and bigtooth maple pockets.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold, clear; bison easy to spot on bare grass
- FebMild days, few visitors
- MarPrairie greens up; wildflowers start
- AprWildflowers peak; comfortable walking
- MayWarm, green, still quiet on weekdays
- JunHot by midday; start at sunrise
- Jul35 °C (95 °F)+ afternoons; ticks and chiggers95 °F (35 °C)+ afternoons; ticks and chiggers
- AugHottest month; carry more water than you think
- SepCooling; elk bugling starts late in the month
- OctElk rut, clear skies, dry trails
- NovCool and quiet; short daylight
- DecCold snaps; ice on granite
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BisonAll year · Free-roaming herd; never leave the car to approach one. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| ElkSep–Nov · Bugling peaks in the rut; listen at dawn in the western prairie. | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Prairie dogsMar–Oct · Active on warm days at Prairie Dog Town. | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Wildflowers and bigtooth maple colourApr–May, Oct–Nov | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Ticks, chiggers and poison ivyMay–Sep · Long trousers and repellent for off-road walking. | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Lawton
Drive west on OK 62 then north on NW Indiahoma Road, or take I-44 north and OK 49 west to the main gate.
30–40 min
Open the page →
From Oklahoma City
I-44 southwest to Lawton, then the refuge gates.
1.5–2 h
Open the page →
From Dallas–Fort Worth
I-35 north to US 287, then OK 62 east to Lawton and the refuge.
3–3.5 h
Open the page →
From Great Plains Country plan
Where the refuge sits in a wider plains road trip.
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Eastern entrance and Visitor Center area | Main gate off OK 49, refuge information, Prairie Dog Town and the start of the scenic drive. | Open with the refuge. |
| Mount Scott corridor | The paved summit road, pull-outs and the highest drivable point in the refuge. | Open to vehicles except Sunday mornings, when it closes to cars until noon for cyclists and walkers. |
| Charons Garden Wilderness | Granite boulders, bigtooth maple and the Post Oak Lake dam, on foot only. | Foot traffic only; no marked trail beyond the wilderness boundary. |
| Western lakes and prairie | Lake Jed Johnson, Post Oak Lake and the open grass where bison and elk graze. | Open; stay on roads and trails, keep distance from animals. |
Sketch map
- 1Main gate (OK 49) · Gate≈34.734, -98.622Approximate.Map ↗
- 2Visitor Center · Headquarters≈34.711, -98.624Approximate.Map ↗
- 3Prairie Dog Town · Viewpoint≈34.730, -98.690Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Mount Scott summit · Summit≈34.744, -98.532Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Post Oak Lake dam (Charons Garden trailhead) · Trail≈34.705, -98.733Approximate.Map ↗
- 6Lake Jed Johnson tower · Viewpoint≈34.733, -98.601Approximate.Map ↗
- 7Doris Campground · Sleep≈34.717, -98.645Approximate.Map ↗
- 8Medicine Park · Town≈34.728, -98.502Approximate.Map ↗
Take the points offline
8 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Approximate positions across the refuge from the eastern gate to Post Oak Lake, for orientation only.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Refuge entrance | Free | vehicle | No entrance fee for the refuge itself. |
| Camping at Doris Campground | US$14–25 | night | 2026 estimate; tent and RV sites, some with electric hookups. |
| Fishing | Free | person | Oklahoma state fishing licence required; no refuge fee. |
| Guided tour or event | Free | person | Most refuge programmes are free; some require booking. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Refuge entry no permit
Charons Garden Wilderness no permit
Backcountry camping permit or guide
Special-use access (research, events, commercial filming) permit or guide
Park rules
- Bison
- Do not approach, feed or provoke bison; stay in your vehicle when they are on or beside the road. They are fast and can injure people.
- Prairie dogs
- Feeding is prohibited and carries a fine.
- Drones
- Not allowed without refuge permission.
- Pets
- Allowed in some areas on a leash only; not on trails or in the wilderness.
- Fires and litter
- Fires only in provided rings; carry out all rubbish.
- Closures
- Parts of the refuge close seasonally for wildlife and for hunts; check the current map before you drive in.
Where to stay
In the park
Doris Campground
The refuge campground, with tent and RV sites; book ahead in spring and autumn.
Near the park
Medicine Park
Small cabins and rental houses just outside the eastern gate; the closest base to the refuge.
Near the park
Lawton
Full range of chain hotels and motels, 30–40 min from the gate.
Safety
Bison on the road high
Heat and dehydration medium
Rough granite in Charons Garden medium
Storms and lightning medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- The Mount Scott Road drive and the main refuge roads are paved and reachable by car, with pull-outs for views.
- The Visitor Center, Prairie Dog Town and Holy City involve short, mostly level walks.
- Charons Garden Wilderness and the lake trails are rough granite with no accessible surface.
Visiting lightly
- Keep to roads and established routes so prairie grass and lichen-covered granite are not trampled.
- Do not feed any animal, including prairie dogs; human food harms them and changes their behaviour.
- Pack out everything, including fruit peel, and use the campground's facilities rather than the prairie.
- Support the gateway towns — Medicine Park and Lawton — for food, fuel and lodging.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge?
Nothing — there is no entrance fee. You drive in through the OK 49 or Indiahoma Road gate during open hours. Costs start with camping (about US$14–25 a night at Doris Campground, 2026 estimate), an Oklahoma fishing licence if you fish, and fuel and food in Lawton or Medicine Park.
What are the best hikes in Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge?
The Charons Garden Wilderness walk from the Post Oak Lake dam is the classic: 1.5–3 hours over rough granite boulders with no maintained path. Easier options are the short walks at Prairie Dog Town, the Lake Jed Johnson tower viewpoints and the summit area of Mount Scott Road. Longer backcountry routes need a free permit and route-finding; ask at the refuge office.
When is the best time to visit Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge?
March to May and October to November: mild temperatures, green or golden prairie, and the elk rut in late September and October. June to August is hot and windy, with afternoons above 35 °C, so start at sunrise. Winter is quiet and clear but cold, with ice on the granite.
Can I see bison and elk?
Yes, but not on demand. Bison roam the prairie and are most often seen from the roads at first light or in the last two hours before the gate closes; elk are more common in the western grassland and are loudest in the September–October rut. Stay in your vehicle and keep well back.
Do I need a car?
Yes. The refuge is large and the gates are several kilometres apart, with no public transport inside. Drive in, use the pull-outs, and plan your route so you are not backtracking at closing time.
Is Mount Scott Road always open?
It closes to cars until noon on Sundays so cyclists and hikers can use it, and it can shut for weather, ice or refuge operations. Check the current status on the day you visit.
Can I camp in the refuge?
Yes, at Doris Campground, and primitive backcountry camping on remote trails with a free permit. Book ahead in spring and autumn, and expect basic facilities rather than hookups everywhere.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go