“The beautiful spring came, and when nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.” HARRIET ANN JACOBS
PHOTO BY USFWS STAFF
PHOTO BY RANDY JONES
PHOTO BY RANDY JONES
PHOTO BY STEVEN ENTER
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge MEERS, 1.5 HOURS SW OF OKC
The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is likely at the top of any nature enthusiast’s list in Oklahoma. This popular destination saw more than two million visitors in the past year, according to Park Ranger Quinton Smith. Families eager to get outdoors can enjoy hiking to the top of Mt. Scott and Little Baldy, visiting Prairie Dog Town and venturing into the mysterious Parallel Forest. The refuge is more commonly known as a hiking destination but Smith says, if timed right, families can also enjoy wildlife observation and photography as well as fishing, kayaking and canoeing, though swimming is not allowed. “To observe wildlife, time of day is really important,” shared Smith. “Animals move a lot more at dusk and dawn but you can see bison roaming throughout the day and birds are always out moving. Bird
books or field guides can help you identify what you are looking at.” The roaming bison and longhorn should be viewed at a safe and respectable distance, preferably from inside your vehicle. Do not approach the wildlife. The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has 20,000 acres open to the public so there is a lot of nature to explore. Smith advises families plan out visits ahead of time with several options because certain parking areas can fill up fast on weekends and peak seasons. He recommends checking Facebook for updates. The refuge trails are open seven days a week from sunrise to sunset. Currently, RV and travel trailer camping is permitted by reservation only as long as the vehicle has its own self-contained bathroom. To plan your outing, visit fws.gov/refuge/Wichita_Mountains.
50 METROFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM / MAR-APR 2021
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