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Oklahoma, United States

Wichita Mountains

Spend a full day for the summit drive, a hike among bison and longhorns, and dinner in cobblestone Medicine Park. Below: 4 sights, 1 activity and 2 outdoor spots, plus how Wichita Mountains fits into a longer trip.

Plan Wichita Mountains with friendsBrowse 10 places
Wichita Mountains, Oklahoma, United States
Places
10

4 See · 1 Do · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink

Curated routes
1

Oklahoma Route 66

Best season
Mar – May

from our route notes

Warmest month
July

35°C / 95°F avg high

Coolest month
January

10°C / 50°F avg high

Wettest month
May

about 115 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Wichita Mountains

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in Wichita Mountains across Wichita Mountains and Medicine Park. All 4 are free to visit.

  • Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center in Wichita MountainsPhoto: Morne Erasmus · Google
    See

    Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

    Starting point for maps, trail conditions and exhibits on the refuge's prairie and bison.

    Tip Ask about current wildlife sightings.

    • Wichita Mountains
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Morning
  • Mount Scott in Wichita MountainsPhoto: Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
    See

    Mount Scott

    Paved road to a 2,464-foot summit with views over lakes and prairie.

    Tip Road closes to cars at times on busy weekends; go early.

    • Wichita Mountains
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Sunset
  • Holy City of the Wichitas in Wichita MountainsPhoto: Larry Smith · CC BY 2.0
    See

    Holy City of the Wichitas

    Stone chapel and Passion play set built in the 1930s.

    Tip Free; hosts an Easter pageant.

    • Wichita Mountains
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Daytime
  • Medicine Park in Wichita MountainsPhoto: Jphill19 · CC BY-SA 3.0
    See

    Medicine Park

    Small cobblestone resort town on Medicine Creek, Oklahoma's first.

    Tip Walk the creekside paths and cobblestone shops.

    • Medicine Park
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Afternoon

Do

Hands-on ways to spend time in Wichita Mountains in Charons Garden.

  • Elk Mountain Trail in Wichita MountainsPhoto: A. D. · Google
    Do

    Elk Mountain Trail

    Popular 2-mile round-trip climb to granite boulders and a summit view.

    Tip Start at Sunset Picnic Area; sturdy shoes needed.

    • Charons Garden
    • Free
    • 2 hr
    • Morning

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around Wichita Mountains. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Charons Garden Wilderness in Wichita MountainsPhoto: Mumen Rider · Google
    Outdoors

    Charons Garden Wilderness

    Rugged boulder-strewn wilderness area with scrambles and canyons.

    Tip Trails are faint; carry a map and water.

    • Charons Garden
    • Free
    • 3 hr
    • Spring–fall
  • Forty Foot Hole in Wichita MountainsPhoto: Matthew Matyjek · Google
    Outdoors

    Forty Foot Hole

    Granite gorge and pool on Cache Creek reached by short trail.

    Tip Swimming not allowed; slick rocks after rain.

    • Wichita Mountains
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Morning

Eat

2 places to eat in Medicine Park, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • The Old Plantation Restaurant in Wichita MountainsPhoto: The Old Plantation Restaurant · Google
    Eat

    The Old Plantation Restaurant

    Medicine Park steakhouse serving since 1966 in a 1910 building.

    Tip Get the hand-cut ribeye and peach cobbler.

    • Medicine Park
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Dinner
  • Riverside Cafe in Wichita MountainsPhoto: Riverside Cafe · Google
    Eat

    Riverside Cafe

    Creekside patio cafe with fried catfish and burgers.

    Tip Dog-friendly patio.

    • Medicine Park
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Lunch

Drink

1 bar or café in Medicine Park for coffee, a round or a nightcap.

  • Park Tavern in Wichita MountainsPhoto: Terry Head · Google
    Drink

    Park Tavern

    Medicine Park beer garden on the main drag.

    Tip Open midweek when most spots close.

    • Medicine Park
    • $
    • 60 min
    • Evening

How to fit Wichita Mountains into a trip

Wichita Mountains is stop 3 of 3 on our Oklahoma Route 66 route. Follow it as-is or lift Wichita Mountains into your own plan.

Getting here and onward

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Wichita Mountains month by month

Average daily highs run from 10°C / 50°F in January to 35°C / 95°F in July. May is the wettest month, with about 115 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Wichita Mountains weather and the best time to visit →

Near Wichita Mountains

7 other destinations from our guides within about 300 km (186 mi), measured in a straight line.

Wichita Mountains questions, answered

How many days do you need in Wichita Mountains?

Our route notes suggest a full day in Wichita Mountains. On our Oklahoma Route 66 route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Wichita Mountains best known for?

Spend a full day for the summit drive, a hike among bison and longhorns, and dinner in cobblestone Medicine Park. Standouts on our list: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center (Starting point for maps, trail conditions and exhibits on the refuge's prairie and bison); Mount Scott (Paved road to a 2,464-foot summit with views over lakes and prairie); Holy City of the Wichitas (Stone chapel and Passion play set built in the 1930s).

When is the best time to visit Wichita Mountains?

Our Oklahoma Route 66 route is best Mar – May. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (35°C / 95°F), the coolest in January (10°C / 50°F) and the most rain in May (about 115 mm).

What are the best things to do in Wichita Mountains?

Start with Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, Mount Scott, Elk Mountain Trail, Charons Garden Wilderness and Forty Foot Hole. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 4 sights, 1 activity, 2 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.

Where should a group eat in Wichita Mountains?

Our picks: The Old Plantation Restaurant (Medicine Park); Riverside Cafe (Medicine Park). Get the hand-cut ribeye and peach cobbler (The Old Plantation Restaurant).

What is near Wichita Mountains?

The closest destinations in our guides are Downtown OKC & Bricktown (about 135 km / 84 mi), Oklahoma City (about 136 km / 84 mi) and Lake Hefner (about 137 km / 85 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Wichita Mountains with your crew

Open the Oklahoma Route 66 route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

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