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
Hunter Park Lake
Hunter Park is a 25-acre recreational area surrounding Hunter Park Lake. The park has areas for children to play, a pavilion for families to gather for large reunions or for quiet picnics while tossing a line the lake for an afternoon of fishing.
Hobart, OK RecreationOld Pioneer Hall of Fame
On the grounds of the Museum is the Old Pioneer Hall of Fame to honor the Pioneers who were in this area before 1907. Their picture and history are carved in Pink Granite stone and is unique, as there is none other like it in this country. By 1986, there were 160
Mangum, OK Halls of FameElk City Municipal Golf Course & Country Club
18 hole Public Golf Course with Snack Bar. Country Club - Swimming Pool - Lounge - Restaurant Pro Shop - Green Fee's &
Elk City, OK Golf CoursesApache Municipal Building
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Apache, OK Historic BuildingsQuanah Parker Star House and Eagle Park Ghost Town
Comanche Chief Quanah Parker had stars painted on the roof of his home to mimic those on the uniforms of the U.S. military officers. The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Cache, OK Famous HomesNational Hall of Fame for Famous American Indians
The National Hall of Fame of Famous American Indians was established to recognize famous Indians. It was a chance to provide a portrait in bronze bust for people to touch and see the famous people in a three dimensional likeness that they read about in history books. Formed in 1952
Anadarko, OK Halls of FameMattie Beal Home
The Historic Mattie Beal Home is a 3,580 square foot, 14-room mansion constructed in 1907-1909. It sits on a portion of the 160-acres selected by Mattie Beal, the young woman whose name was drawn second in the Kiowa-Comanche-Apache Land Lottery of 1901
Lawton, OK MuseumsWichita Mountains NWR - Rock Climbing
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, the Access Fund and the Wichita Mountains Climbers Coalition have come together to support and present a quality climbing experience at the Refuge. The following guidelines have been established between the three organizations.
Lawton, OK RappellingOn The Chisholm Trail Statue
Oklahoma's largest bronze sculpture (16' high and 35" long) stands in Duncan, adjacent to the museum. The sculpture shows a chuch wagon followed by longhorn cattle on the move northward. Cowboys are intent on the herd. Of interest to young observers is the trail dog trotting alongside.
Duncan, OK ArtsPresbyterian Church
The First Presbyterian Church is the last original church building still remaining in Sayre. 1908 - 1988
Sayre, OK Historic Churches