Great Plains Country, Oklahoma
In southwestern Oklahoma the golden shortgrass prairie extends for mile after undulating mile, mirroring the sky in its vastness. Less than a century and a half ago, the Southern Plains were the domain of the Kiowa and Comanche, who hunted buffalo on horses bridled with Spanish silver and traded with the Wichitas, farmers who lived in grass houses. To the Kiowa, the earth was sacred, and the Wichitas believed their ancestors lived on in the 650-million-year-old granite boulders of the Wichita Mountains. Travelers exploring the region today may encounter moments of similar reverence -- watching the sun set from atop Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, for instance, or watching an eagle soar in winter. A rowdier spirit lives endures in the area, too: Teddy Roosevelt created the wildlife refuge after he traveled to Oklahoma Territory to hunt wolves. Bison now graze on the 60,000-acre preserve, along with longhorn cattle, antelope and elk -- rugged mountain biking, hiking, camping and backpacking are permitted in some areas.
Explore Great Plains Country
Wichita Mountains NWR - Hiking
The Refuge maintains four series of hiking trails as well as wayside exhibits throughout the Public Use Area. While visitors may hike anywhere in the Public Use Area of the Refuge, these trail systems are maintained for optimum viewing opportunities, ease of access, and diversity of scenery.
Lawton, OK Hiking Trails
Wichita Mountains NWR - Camping
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers a variety of camping opportunities.
- Doris Campground is a modern camping facility with individual and group sites.
- Fawn Creek Campground Lawton, OK Camping
Old Plantation Restaurant
Medicine Park, unique with its eccentric cobble buildings, was originally founded on July 4th, 1908 by Oklahoma Senator Elmer Thomas. Medicine Park was Oklahoma's first planned tourism resort located in the Wichita Mountains that drew state legislators, journalists and gangsters. Listed on the <
Medicine Park, OK Historic BuildingsLake Frederick
Frederick offers plenty of opportunities to enjoy nature and the great outdoors. Lake Frederick, only a few miles away, offers sites for motor homes, RVs, and tents. Visitors won'
Frederick, OK RecreationWashita Theater
The grand tradition of the Washita Theater has returned to the City of New Cordell. Over 50 years has passed since the days of the Saturday matinee, the preview, and the news reel ... and now the art deco splendor of the Washita will be home to a new generation of movies and movie-goers!
Cordell, OK Historic TheatresGreer County Courthouse
The historic Greer County courthouse is truly the center of town and the center of activity. The entire square is surrounded by a unique WPA stone wall with corner fountain structures. In the front lawn is a granite plaque with a brief history of the struggle of the Greer County "empire."
Mangum, OK Historic CourthousesClinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark
Clinton-Sherman Industrial Airpark (CSIA), formerly Clinton-Sherman Air Force Base and Clinton Naval Air Station, encompasses approximately 3,000 acres in western Oklahoma adjacent to the town of Burns Flat. The Air Force closed the facility in 1969. In the summer of 1971
Burns Flat, OK MilitaryWichita Mountains NWR - Fishing
There are 13 Public Use Lakes on the Refuge which provide ample fishing opportunities for both bank and boat anglers. Largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish are likely to be caught in Refuge lakes.
Lawton, OK FishingRoute 66 - America's Main Street
It is known as the Main Street of America - The Mother Road - The Free Road - even the Will Rogers Highway. And it evokes images of roadside diner's, mom-and-pop truck stops, old-fashioned service stations, motor courts, neon signs, and classic American automobiles.
Sayre, OK Landmarks
Parker Drilling Rig
Parker Drilling Company Rig 114 is 181' tall, one of the world's tallest and one of the deepest drilling. Before drilling for natural gas, it drilled a world record nuclear test hole in the Aleutian Islands in Alaska - 10' wide and 4,500' deep.
Elk City, OK Natural Attractions