The mountains in Southwestern Oklahoma mirror the changing cultural landscape as
well as the state's physical geography. The Arbuckles, a beautiful small range with
waterfalls and natural swimming holes, was the meeting place of Chickasaw,
Wichita, Kiowa, and Comanche Indians. White and black settlers enjoyed the waters
and scenery, too.

The Arbuckles are geological wonders as the exposed rock provides a perfect
outdoor laboratory for rock hounds. The Wichita range is a little strange looking; they
seem to rise from the prairie out of nowhere. They are the highest hills within the Red
River Mountain Tour, rising as high as 2,200 and more feet.

The Wichita range hugs
Fort Sill Military Reservation, and its hills figure prominently in
the history of the Native Americans in the area. Quanah Parker's ranch is located just
south of the Wichita, and the Apache Tribe lives within the mountains. The range
extends west over Altus.

Within these ranges you'll discover the vegetation boundaries that make this area
unique - the
Chickasaw National Recreation Area preserves the landscape that
changes from the fertile, timbered meadows and hills of the east, to the arid and
scrubby plains of the west.
Follow Me on the
Mountains of Red River
Valley Tour!

Southeastern Oklahoma -
Little Dixie

Southwestern Oklahoma -
Meeting the Plains

Northwestern Texas - North
Texas Hill Country
Turner Falls in the Arbuckle Mountains lies
off
US 77. The bottom of the falls contains a
natural and deep swimming hole
.
The Chickasaw National Recreation Area
contains beautiful and intimate scenery.
Things to See and Do in Southwestern
Oklahoma!

Turner Falls City Park
The falls are owned and maintained by the
city of Davis. They allow camping, and have
some cool Tipis to spend the night in. Off of
US 77 northwest of Ardmore, southwest of
Davis.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area
This national park might not be as
spectacular as most, but it has quiet,
contemplative beauty. Easy hiking paths
surrounding a ghost town, and very smelly
sulphur springs, makes this park a fun family
outing. Located at Sulphur on OK 7.

Fort Sill Military Reservation
Fort Sill has a LOT of history contained within
its compounds. You can view the graves of
Quanah Parker, Cynthia Anne Parker,
Satanta, Satank, and Geronimo, and enjoy
the hills as well. North of Lawton on US
277/281/62 and Interstate 44.

Great Plains State Park
The name fools you - you think you'd see only
flat land, but the Wichita Mountains make this
park very curvy. North of Frederick on US 183.
The Wichita Mountains rise like large prairie
dog mounds out of the plains. The contrasts
of colors - the red earth, the brown hills, and
the blue sky - make the Wichita an interesting
photo study.


Southwestern
Oklahoma -
Meeting The
Plains