Established in 1901,Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is one of more than 546 refuges throughout the United States managed by the Fish and Wildlife Service. The 59,020 acre Refuge hosts a rare piece of the past - a remnant mixed grass prairie, an island where the natural grasslands escaped destruction because the rocks underfoot defeated the plow.
The Refuge provides habitat for large native grazing animals such as American bison, Rocky Mountain elk, and white-tailed deer. Texas longhorn cattle also share the Refuge rangelands as a cultural and historical legacy species. More than 50 mammal, 240 bird, 64 reptile and amphibian, 36 fish, and 806 plant species thrive on this important refuge.
How to Get There
From I-44 take Highway 49 (exit 45). Go west 10 miles to the Refuge gate. If coming from Highway 62, take Highway 115 (Cache exit) north to the Refuge Gate. A map is available. You will find leaflet dispensers inside each of the Refuge gates that have maps and information. Contact Refuge Headquarters for more information or see available Google Map.
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NEWS:
EMERGENCY CLOSURES:
The Refuge Visitor Center has reopened following the ice storm. Most other public facilities on the Refuge are also open, but visitors are encouraged to use extreme caution while visiting the refuge as trees can and will fall at any time. Doris Campground and Sunset Picnic Area are in the final clean-up stages and will open soon.
Follow the progress of the
Comprehensive Conservation Planning (CCP) process.
Check out our FREE weekend programs!
Check out our new Video Page.
Refuge Designated an
Important Bird Area
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