Wichita Mountain Getaway

Looking at Lake Lawtonka

If the mountains are what inspire you, then the expansive views and winding roads of Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains are worthy of a weekend away. Head into the mountains from Indiahoma, in the southwest part of the state, where you can just drive and enjoy the scenic views. It is easy to find cabin lodging in the…

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Cache Creek Falls

Cache Creek Falls

One of the most stunning and natural waterfalls in Oklahoma is in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in the southwestern part of the state. The waterfalls that run through Cache Creek in the park are worth the hike to get to them. The rushing water is surrounded by mountainous rocks and boulders. The waterfalls are a…

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Oklahoma in Pictures: 18 Beautiful Places to Photograph

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Over 59,000 acres of spectacular wilderness welcome visitors to this impressive wildlife refuge. Established in 1901, the area protects hundreds of plant and bird species, as well as fish, reptiles, amphibians, and other creatures (like elk, bison, and longhorn cattle). It’s a wonderfully wild mix of towering mountains, mixed grass prairies,…

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One night in the nation’s first big-game wildlife refuge

One night in the Wichitas

The horizon of southwestern Oklahoma regained a pulse as I approached the Wichita Mountains. For that matter, I did, too. For the past three days, I had been driving north up the 100th meridian, part of a grand summer road trip from the Texas borderlands to Fargo, N.D. — an admittedly indulgent exercise in my…

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Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge officials warn visitors after bison incidents

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Officials from the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge are warning visitors against disturbing animals after a video of a man taunting a bison surfaced over the weekend. Park Ranger Quinton Smith said they’ve seen incidents like these happen over the years. “If we come out and we disturb that scarce resource, then all we’re doing is…

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On the Road Film Features Wildlife Refuges

What Fuels You - Road Trip documentary with Wichita Wildlife Mountains.

Erika Gilsdorf is award-winning video producer visiting National Wildlife Refuges around the U.S. for her “What Fuels You” road trip. Check out  ‘STOP #8’ featuring the Wichita Mountains NWR in April 2021.  A special “Thank You” to Bill Shreve for providing the amazing wildlife photographs found in the ‘FACES’ section. Visit https://www.whatfuelsyouusa.com/stops.

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The Ferguson House Chapter is Finally Closed

Ferguson House Engraved Rock - 1927 - Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Presidential Ponderings by Jim Meyer – On Monday, February 1st, the final chapter in the restoration of the Ferguson House was completed. A large black, gabbro boulder, which had been cut and engraved with information about the Ferguson House, was placed in front of the building for all to see and enjoy. This story began…

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2020 Year In Review By Board President Emeritus Jim Stone

There’s still time to make an impact in 2020! Make a tax-deductible donation on-line to the WMWR’s only 501c3 and make a lasting impact in 2020 and beyond. http://friendsofthewichitas.org/donate/ photo by S. Hodge

Photo by S. Hodge  As 2020 comes to a close, we need to take a moment to reflect on this past year. With the global pandemic, record-breaking weather events due to climate change, unprecedented wildfires and social unrest from injustices faced by people of color, this past year has led many to despair. While members…

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Refuge Joins the Bison Conservation Initiative, Ends Auction 

Bison

Earlier this year, Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt announced the 2020 Bison Conservation Initiative (BCI), and reaffirmed the Department of the Interior (DOI) commitment to conservation and restoration of wild American bison. The initiative will coordinate conservation strategies and approaches for the wild American bison over the next 10 years. The DOI and its partners have…

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