Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge — Attraction in Cooperton

We visited the Wildlife Refuge for a quick weekend getaway and we were not disappointed! It was absolutely gorgeous and offered incredible hiking opportunities. We camped with our trailer at Doris Campground and our site was beautiful. Staff at check-in and camp host were both very friendly and helpful. We received several helpful guides and maps at check-in. The sites are electric only - water is not potable, but we didn't miss it for a weekend trip. We saw lots of turkeys, and one evening a longhorn bull even surprised us by walking right through our campsite one evening while sitting by the fire. We spent most of the trip hiking. We hiked the Narrows trail first - we have 3 kids under 5 (one rides in a baby carrier for hikes.) The Narrows trail was pretty challenging for our littles but they were able to do it just fine, and felt very accomplished after. It's certainly not a straight uphill mountain climb, but there are lots of rocks to scale and a creek crossing, so it definitely felt like a real, challenging hike for our family and was really fun. We were able to make it all the way to the top with our little ones, although I'm not sure we officially completed the full trail. Trail has many gorgeous photo opportunities of the canyon. We also climbed Little Baldy. Gorgeous climb up large ducks, but not super steep, although a small section is quite uphill. This time we had friends with us so we had 5 kids 5 and under - they were able to climb up with a little help on the steep parts. Beautiful view up top. The next morning we walked in our campground and could see others climbing it on top way up high - they felt super impressed they had done that too. We also hiked the Kite trail - it was also so beautiful. The trail is pretty rocky - large rocks to climb over at times, so a bit challenging, but again our kids were all able to do it. You can see a small waterfall in the trail which they loved. We climbed down to the creek and they enjoyed seeing the water. The landscape there feels like desert, you don't feel like you're in Oklahoma anymore - it's gorgeous We also drove up Mt. Scott to see the view there. It was PACKED. We really didn't see a lot of crowds while hiking, only passing a few other families, but Mt. Scott was packed. It was fine because there's a lot of room to spread out but the parking lot was pretty full. Overall the trip was wonderful. On the way home we were discussing how we could easily stay there for a week. We had great weather - I can imagine it might be less enjoyable in the Oklahoma heat. But we plan on...

It's hard to believe that such a beautiful and mysterious place, is less than three hours away from DFW. While they may not be massive, the beauty of these mountains is simply breathtaking! If you're short on time and looking for a day trip hike, I highly recommend the Elk Mountain trail. When you reach the top, you'll be rewarded with absolutely incredible views. Not to mention, the scrambling opportunities on the rocks up there is absolutely amazing!

The Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma are a stunning natural destination that offers a range of outdoor activities. Located within a convenient and fairly short distance from the DFW area, they make for a perfect getaway for a day or weekend trip. The mountain range may not be as imposing as some others in our beautiful country, but their charm lies in their unique rocky beauty. You'll find picturesque landscapes, serene hiking trails, and captivating wildlife. Keep an eye out for the iconic bison herds, which roam freely throughout the refuge.

One particular gem worth visiting in the area is Medicine Park, a quaint town nestled amidst the scenic Wichita Mountains. Known for its rustic charm and relaxing atmosphere, it's a place where you can unwind and reconnect with nature. The town features charming cobblestone buildings, art galleries, and local shops that add to its distinctive character. I've had... Maybe more than a few delicious drinks and meals in that area after hiking the...

If you blindfolded me, transported me by air , and dropped me down here, I would never guess that I had landed in Oklahoma. This is everything not Oklahoma I could ever conjure, and yet it is. This place is beautiful, and I cannot recommend it enough to friends!

All of this coming from an Amarillo-area guy who spends most of his free time wandering Palo Duro Canyon. The WMWR is something you would expect to find the opposite direction from Texas, and yet it has nearly 60,000 acres of mountains, trails, lakes, hiking, biking, boating, fishing, and pretty much anything else you could wish for in outdoor recreation.

Stir in a mid-May visit, and you find oceans of beautiful wildflowers, my favorite of which are the Indian Blankets. If you cannot find something photograph, shame on you.

I loved the open range aspect of the refugee, meaning that cattle and bison roam freely. That also means across the roadway, so be prepared to stop out of respect and for photographs—from a safe distance, of course!

The hiking is great, but plan on bringing proper footwear to tackle the occasional ruggedness. Also, watch for snakes, because they are prevalent. Stay on the trail and watch your hands and feet, and you should be fine.

I’ll be back for sure, and most likely in autumn or winter, just to see it under different circumstances. This is a gem in the...