Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Images and Information:
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, established in 1901 in southwestern Oklahoma, is one of the oldest and largest wildlife refuges in the United States. It spans over 59,000 acres in the ancient Wichita Mountains, which are estimated to be around 500 million years old.
Originally set aside as the Wichita Forest Reserve by President William McKinley, it later became the nation’s first big-game animal refuge under President Theodore Roosevelt, marking a milestone in American conservation.
The refuge is renowned for its conservation legacy, especially the reintroduction of American bison, starting with just a handful of animals, now a thriving herd, the largest managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It also supports Oklahoma’s largest elk herd, white-tailed deer, Texas longhorn cattle, and a remarkable diversity of wildlife, including over 800 plant species and more than 275 bird species, making it vital for migratory birds.
The landscape features mixed-grass prairie, oak woodlands, and rugged granite peaks. The area’s history includes Native American use by the Wichita, Kiowa, Apache, and Comanche tribes. Today, the refuge offers hiking, wildlife viewing, birdwatching, and scenic spots like Mount Scott and Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area, with a visitor center providing educational programs.
I hope you enjoy viewing my Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge photos.
Mixed grass prairie and mountains at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Title: Mixed grass prairie and mountains at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/14/2025
Cell phone photo
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge morning scenery
Title: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge morning scenery
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/14/2025
Cell phone photo
Cleopatra’s Cluster at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Title: Cleopatra’s Cluster at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/13/2025
Rocky mountain view at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Title: Rocky mountain view at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Wichita Mountains view with American Bison
Title: Wichita Mountains view with American Bison
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Jed Johnson Tower at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Title: Jed Johnson Tower at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Jed Johnson Tower and Lake Jed Johnson
Title: Jed Johnson Tower and Lake Jed Johnson
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Elk in morning light at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Title: Elk in morning light at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Early morning Elk at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Title: Early morning Elk at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Resting and grazing American Bison at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Title: Resting and grazing American Bison at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Treasure Lake at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Title: Treasure Lake at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Cell phone photo
Cooling view at Post Oak Lake
Title: Cooling view at Post Oak Lake
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Cell phone photo
Post Oak Lake at Charon’s Garden
Title: Post Oak Lake at Charon’s Garden
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Cell phone photo
Post Oak Lake on a clear spring day
Title: Post Oak Lake on a clear spring day
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Cell phone photo
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge view on a spring day
Title: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge view on a spring day
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Cell phone photo
View of Charon’s Garden and Treasure Lake
Title: View of Charon’s Garden and Treasure Lake
Location: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Comanche County, Oklahoma
Date: 05/12/2025
Cell phone photo