Great Plains Country, Oklahoma
In southwestern Oklahoma the golden shortgrass prairie extends for mile after undulating mile, mirroring the sky in its vastness. Less than a century and a half ago, the Southern Plains were the domain of the Kiowa and Comanche, who hunted buffalo on horses bridled with Spanish silver and traded with the Wichitas, farmers who lived in grass houses. To the Kiowa, the earth was sacred, and the Wichitas believed their ancestors lived on in the 650-million-year-old granite boulders of the Wichita Mountains. Travelers exploring the region today may encounter moments of similar reverence -- watching the sun set from atop Mount Scott in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, for instance, or watching an eagle soar in winter. A rowdier spirit lives endures in the area, too: Teddy Roosevelt created the wildlife refuge after he traveled to Oklahoma Territory to hunt wolves. Bison now graze on the 60,000-acre preserve, along with longhorn cattle, antelope and elk -- rugged mountain biking, hiking, camping and backpacking are permitted in some areas.
Explore Great Plains Country
War Memorial
The bronze sculpture stands in front of the Caddo County Courthouse with the inscription "In Memory of Our Brave Boys."
Anadarko, OK MemorialsLake Lawtonka
Water recreation, camping, hunting - 2,398 surface acres and 21 miles of shoreline. Noted for smallmouth bass catch and release program. Also largemouth bass, catfish, walleye, saugeye and crappie. 30 primitive sites, group shelters, restrooms/
Medicine Park, OK RecreationKiowa County Museum
The Kiowa County Museum occupies the historic Rock Island Depot listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It was built in 1909 and used until the 1970s. The Kiowa County Historical Society acquired the site in 1987
Hobart, OK MuseumsFoss Lake State Park
Foss State Park sits on parts of the 60 miles of shoreline of western Oklahoma's largest lake, Lake Foss. The park has 8 campgrounds consisting of 110 Campsites, Swimming Beach, Boating, 6
, OK CampingElk City Lake
- 750 Acre Park
- 250 Acre Lake
- Picnic Pavilions with Grills
- Boating & Fishing
- Playground
- Swimming Beach Area
- 2 Boat Ramps with Docks
(1 Fishing Dock) - Campgrounds
- R V Sites - Free
(with electrical hookups) - Dump Station (Nearby)
- Hiking< Elk City, OK Recreation
Quartz Mountain Trails
Two hiking trails are located near the park office. The New Horizon Trail, a rugged 1/2 mile path, explores the habitats of the mountain and takes the hiker 3/4
, OK Hiking TrailsGreer County Courthouse
The historic Greer County courthouse is truly the center of town and the center of activity. The entire square is surrounded by a unique WPA stone wall with corner fountain structures. In the front lawn is a granite plaque with a brief history of the struggle of the Greer County "empire."
Mangum, OK Historic CourthousesPost Office Mural
Displayed on the lobby wall of the art deco post office is a WPA commissioned mural capturing a moment of the infamous Oklahoma Land Run. - Artist, Vance Kirkland, 1940
Sayre, OK ArtsMuseum of the Great Plains
At the Museum of the Great Plains, the natural and cultural history of the Great Plains of north America is studied and shown in many exhibits and programs that will be enjoyed by all members of the family. Special events include a twice-yearly encampment of 1830
Lawton, OK Museums