The Wichita Forest Reserve was established by the United States General Land Office in Oklahoma on July 4, 1901, with 57,120 acres (231.2 km2).

On June 4, 1936, the Wichita Forest designation was abolished and transferred to the Bureau of Biological Survey, a precursor to the Fish and Wildlife Service.

[4][5] United States Observances and Statutes Governing Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge The WMWR is managed by the U.S.

[20] Many smaller mammal species also live in the refuge, including the nine-banded armadillo, bassarisk, and the black-tailed prairie dog.

[20] According to the Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture, the refuge failed in its attempt to reintroduce the American pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, and the prairie chicken.

The many exposed granite boulders make exceptional habitat for a particularly photogenic, chartreuse green lichen known as "Pleopsidium flavum.

[28] A visitor center and bookstore displays art and has exhibits illustrating the four major habitats found on the refuge: Rocklands, Aquatic, Mixed-Grass Prairie, and Cross Timbers.

Rock climbing is overwhelmingly popular, but visitors also enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, bird and wildlife watching, and photography.

Though climbing has brought many visitors to the refuge, some controversy exists over the use of fixed anchors, bolts and other permanently placed objects on the rock face.

[31] The Charon's Garden Wilderness Area is dominated by rugged granite mountains, oak forests, and mixed grass prairies, covers 5,723 acres (23.16 km2) in the western portion of the Refuge.

Fishing for largemouth bass, sunfish, crappie, and channel catfish is popular in the thirteen artificial lakes on the refuge.

A narrow winding road leads to the summit of Mount Scott, elevation 2,464 feet (751m), with a view that encompasses the whole refuge.