Wichita Mountains Byway
The Natural Wonders of the Wichita Mountain Byway

Departure: Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge, Oklahoma
Destination: Saddle Mountain, Oklahoma
Time to allow: 1 day

From start to finish, travelers along the Wichita Mountains Byway will be captured and enthralled by the region’s rugged, wild, and natural intrinsic qualities. The byway passes through one of the oldest geological formations in the United States, the Wichita Mountains. These mountains date back over 550 million years and rise over 2,000 feet above sea level with a relief of over 1,000 feet above the surrounding cross-timbers and mix-grass prairie. The Wichita Mountains have even moved presidents to declare it a national treasure and the site to preserve our western heritage in perpetuity. Thus, it became one of the first areas of the country set aside from development to preserve its natural character for future generations to enjoy and explore. The area’s rich depth of natural history presents a traveler a lifetime opportunity to explore one of this country's great gems.

Day 1

  • Start: Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge

    This stop helps set the natural tone of the byway by focusing the traveler’s attention on the unchanged rugged landscape, wildlife, geological wonders, and habitats. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a tract of approximately 60,000 acres embracing a major portion of the Wichita Mountains in southwestern Oklahoma. The refuge was established to protect this area from development and save iconic species such as bison and elk from extinction.

  • Stop 1: Elk Mountain

    From previous stop: 7 minutes / 3.9 mi (6.2 km)
    Directions:

    Head east on OK-49 toward Caddo Lake. Elk Mountain Turnout will be located on the right side of the road.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    Elk Mountain dominates the southwestern end of the refuge along the Wichita Mountains Byway. From its nearly vertical cliff faces and boulder fields of ancient granite, travelers get a sense of the timelessness of the region. Wildlife such as elk and white-tailed deer are often seen foraging the grasses around the flanks of the mountain. There is also a hiking trail for those travelers who wish to get a bird's-eye view of the byway corridor.

    Elk Mountain also straddles the Charon’s Garden Wilderness Area. This area is part of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. However, by an act of Congress it will remain a wilderness area without roads or changes to the natural qualities.

  • Stop 2: Turkey Creek Prairie Dog Town

    From previous stop: 3 minutes / 1.8 mi (2.9 km)
    Directions:

    Head east on OK-49 toward Caddo Lake. The pullout is along right side of the road.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    The Turkey Creek Prairie Dog Town is one of the largest black-tailed prairie dog colonies in the southern plains region. These photogenic creatures give travelers a good show of their complex social behaviors. Other creatures that depend on prairie dogs, such as burrowing owls, can also be seen along the site.

  • Stop 3: Forty Foot Hole

    From previous stop: 4 minutes / 1.8 mi (2.9 km)
    Directions:

    Head southeast on OK-49 toward Lost Lake. Turn right at Lost Lake. Travel down Lost Lake Road until you arrive at the parking section.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    Forty Foot Hole showcases some of the region's best geological wonders along the Wichita Mountains Byway. This stop allows visitors to view the deep natural depression and a series of waterfalls and clear pools as Cache Creek cascades over the ancient rock faces.

  • Stop 4: The Narrows

    From previous stop: same location
    Directions:

    This spot is located at the same spot as Forty Foot Hole. However, there is a trail marker pointing to its location.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    The Narrows is a natural rock carved canyon composed of reddish granite that is transected by Cache Creek. It is an unchanged feature that is a favorite of visitors who come to watch flora, fauna, and the gently flowing creek.

  • Stop 5: Cross-Timbers

    From previous stop: 7 minutes / 3.1 mi (5.0 km)
    Directions:

    Head north on Lost Lake Road toward OK-49. Turn right at OK-49. The road passes through a prime cross-timber forest with many turnouts for travelers to get out and experience.
    Suggested time at this stop: 20 minutes

    The Wichita Mountains contain some of the best examples of this ancient type of forest left in the United States. The cross-timbers are composed of various types of trees, mainly blackjack and post oak. These trees have a weathered appearance and some of them can be hundreds of years in age. They are also home to the federally endangered Black-Capped Vireo, a species of bird sought out by birdwatching enthusiasts from across the country.

  • Stop 6: Mix-Grass Prairie

    From previous stop: 3 minutes / 1.5 mi (2.4 km)
    Directions:

    This site has many pullouts along OK-49 as the visitor heads east. A good view of the mix-grass prairie lies at the Wichita Mountains Refuge Visitors center located at the corner of OK-49 and 115.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    The rocky soils of the surrounding Wichita Mountains protected the mix-grass prairie along the byway route and corridor from being plowed for farmland. These grasslands contain hundreds of species of unique plants and animals. During the spring visitors are greeted with carpets of blues, yellows, and whites from blooming wildflowers, while visitors in the fall will enjoy the grass seed-heads and colors of the surrounding cross-timbers.

  • Stop 7: Bison

    From previous stop: same location
    Directions:

    Bison are viewable along the Wichita Mountain Byway route along OK-49.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    No other animal in the United States is as iconic as the American Bison. This species is one of the foundations for setting aside the Wichita Mountains from development or other human activities. During the early 20th century, fifteen bison were brought to the Wichita Mountains from the Boston Zoological Park. Today, these iconic symbols are an American conservation success story.

  • Stop 8: Mount Scott

    From previous stop: same location
    Directions:

    Heading east along OK-49 travelers will see a sign for Mount Scott Summit. The summit is along the left side of the roadway. Turn left at the sign and travel up to the summit of Mount Scott.
    Suggested time at this stop: 1 hour

    The summit of Mount Scott is the second highest peak in the Wichita Mountains at 2,464 feet above sea level. It is the most photographed geological feature of the byway due in part its grandeur and the surrounding natural landscape of mountains, lakes and waterways. Visitors along the Wichita Mountains Byway can travel by road to the top of Mount Scott to get a 360-degree view of the surrounding mountain range, Slick Hills, and Lake Lawtonka.

  • Stop 9: Lake Lawtonka

    From previous stop: 15 minutes / 6.8 mi (10.9 km)
    Directions:

    At the intersection of Mount Scott Summit Road, turn left onto OK-49. Turn left at OK-58 heading north. The lake runs parallel to OK-58 with many pullouts for visitors.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    Lake Lawtonka is the largest water feature along the Wichita Mountains Byway. Visitors enjoy all the activities the lake provides. The lake also provides great views of the ancient lava flows and boulder piles along the northeast and eastern sides of Mount Scott. The lake is also a destination for bird watchers during the fall through spring due to the large amounts of over wintering bird species.

  • Stop 10: Stumbling Bear Pass

    From previous stop: 7 minutes / 4.8 mi (7.7 km)
    Directions:

    Head north on OK-58. The roadway passes right through the pass and there is a interpretive site along the route on the right side of the road.
    Suggested time at this stop: 20 minutes

    This natural passageway has brought visitors through the Wichita Mountains for centuries. The once vast bison herds, Native American tribes, traders and U.S settlers and pioneers have all depended upon this gap to access the Wichita Mountains from the Slick Hills region along the Wichita Mountain Byway. Stumbling Bear Pass is a natural corridor flanked on both side of the roadway by Permian aged rock outcroppings, newer limestone ridges, and cross-timber forest.

  • Stop 11: The Slick Hills

    From previous stop: 5 minutes / 2 mi (3.2 km)
    Directions:

    Head north on OK-58. Slick Hills are viewable along both sides of the road with many areas to pullout.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    After passing through Stumbling Bear Pass, the roadway characteristic totally changes from the granite/boulders of the Wichita Mountains changing to the limestone formations of the Slick Hills. These formations are covered by mix-grass prairie and provide spectacular views of the the Wichita Mountain peaks.

  • Stop 12: Rainy Mountain

    From previous stop: 40 minutes / 28.8 mi (46.1 km)
    Directions:

    Head north on OK-58. Turn left at OK-19/OK-58. Turn right and stay on OK-58 North. In Carnegie turn left along Highway 9/OK-115. Follow Highway 9/OK-115. Turn Left as OK-115 goes south. Rainy Mountain is viewable on the right side of the road as you travel south.
    Suggested time at this stop: 20 minutes

    Rainy Mountain’s low dome appearance and gentle rise along the Wichita Mountains Byway is a pleasant surprise amongst the mix-grass prairie surroundings. It is also the tallest topographical feature on the northern stretch of the byway. Rainy Mountain’s beautiful prairie vistas engage travelers to watch the blowing wind move of the prairie-like ocean waves. This site is also sacred to the Kiowa Nation and other Plains Tribes.

  • Stop 13: Mount Zodletone and the Microbial Observatory

    From previous stop: 19 minutes / 7.6 mi (12.2 km)
    Directions:

    Head south along OK-115. Mount Zodletone is viewable along the route. To get a closer look, travelers can take E1400 Rd. closer to the summit.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    Mount Zodletone is an unexpected find along the Wichita Mountains Byway. Along the northern flanks of the mountain, lies a natural spring that produces a lot of sulfides and methane much like the Earth’s environment over 2 billion years ago. This living laboratory brings in geologists and visitors from all over the nation. The site also used to be a bath house during the early 1900s as health aide. Now, travelers can experience and smell this natural wonder along the byway.

  • End: Saddle Mountain

    From previous stop: 20 minutes / 9.1 mi (14.6 km)
    Directions:

    Head south on Scenic OK-115. Turn left at the curve to stay on Scenic OK-115. Continue after the curve to travel south along the route. The Destination will be along the right side of the road.
    Suggested time at this stop: 30 minutes

    This natural feature rests along the northern edge of the Wichita Mountain Range. Visitors will notice the mountain has two distinct peaks and a slight curve between them, thus appearing like a saddle. The mountain is surrounded by crosstimber forest and undisturbed rock outcroppings, making it a great stop for travelers seeking solitude and reflection in nature.

Totals for Day 1

Total Distance Traveled: 71.2 miles / 113.9 km
Total Travel Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
Total Stopping Time: 7 hours