News
2021 Year in Review
2021 Year in Review With over 300 volunteer members the Friends of the Wichitas (FOW) logged more than 20,000 hours in 2021 assisting the Wichita Mountains NWR staff in their efforts to fulfill the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service mission “… working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the…
Read MoreWichita Mountain Getaway
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…
Read MoreEasy Hikes – Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
The refuge has over 15 miles of hiking trails that range from easy to advanced. Beginner hikers should try the trail that starts at the Quanah Parker Lake Dam. Read the full article —>
Read MoreCache 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…
Read MoreOklahoma in Pictures: 18 Beautiful Places to Photograph
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,…
Read MoreOne night in the nation’s first big-game wildlife refuge
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…
Read MoreWichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge eBird Hot Spot
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology helps track sightings of birds throughout the world. Bird enthusiasts can share their sightings of the birds they see and that helps in tracking the birds movement. At the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge there have been 212 bird species identified. You can participate by visiting the eBird website and sharing…
Read MoreWichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge to control hog population
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is set to conduct feral hog patrol on Friday. They will be closing off portions of the refuge public use areas as a result. Those areas will include Elk Mountain, Post Oak Lake, Treasure Lake, Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area and Quetone Point area. The closed off areas are expected to…
Read MoreOn the Road Film Features Wildlife Refuges
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.
Read MoreThe Ferguson House Chapter is Finally Closed
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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