Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge - Oklahoma
Posted by: 
Max and 99
N 34° 42.635 W 098° 37.404
14S E 534486 N 3841012
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge was set aside as a Forest Preserve in 1901 by President McKinley
Waymark Code: WMEXN1
Location: Oklahoma, United States
Date Posted: 07/18/2012
Views: 13
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is 59,000 acres in the southwest part of Oklahoma. It is a popular area for hiking, picnicking, photography, rock-climbing and camping. Coordinates listed are for the Visitor's Center, where a very knowledgeable staff can assist you in trail selection, camping sites, or general information about the reserve itself. Be sure to watch the 15 minute video that tells about the park's history.
For those who are interested, across from the Dog Run Trail is a boulder-hopping climb to a cave (no access into the cave, though). On the main road through the refuge you can stop to visit the Prairie Dog Town and see the very busy prairie dogs. Please be careful as you drive along the roads since some of the 550 bison and the Longhorn Cattle will cross the road right in front of you. Sometimes if they are feeling ornery they will even stop in the road, preventing you from going any further!
According to the park's website:
In 1901 President McKinley set the Wichitas aside as a Forest Preserve. President Theodore Roosevelt established the National Wildlife System in 1903. In 1905 the Wichitas were made a Forest Reserve and Game Preserve and in 1907 were renamed a Forest and Game Preserve. In 1935 the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge was added to the National Wildlife Refuge System. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is the oldest managed wildlife facility in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife system.
Name of Source Book: 1,000 Places To See Before You Die In The USA And Canada
Page Location in Source Book: 651-652
Type of Waymark: Scenic
Location of Coordinates: WMWR Visitor's Center
Cost of Admission (Parks, Museums, etc.): 0.00 (listed in local currency)
List Available Hours, Dates, Season:
All-year long
Official Tourism Website: [Web Link]
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Visit Instructions:
Because of the vastness of many of the "non-localized" sites (Gobi Desert, Great Wall of China), waymark owners are encouraged to allow visits that reflect different perspectives and experiences.
Localized waymark sites (Structures, Landmarks, Businesses) should reflect standard waymarking visit criteria (Logs & photos).