Kite Trail - Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge
The Kite Trail is located in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge near Lawton, Oklahoma. The trail is an out and back trail 2.4 miles in length. The trail can be accessed at the refuge's Boulder Picnic Area. Vault toilets are located nearby at Boulder Cabin. Day use of the refuge is free. Camping is permitted only in designated areas at a cost. Like the rest of the Wichita Mountains, the Kite Trail is filled with beautiful views and scenery. The defining feature of the Kite Trail is a canyon named Forty Foot Hole.
While this is a short trail, it comes with a few challenges. It is rocky and rugged. It is also poorly marked making it very easy to get off trail. Lots of small parallel trails have been formed by hikers attempting to get better views of the canyon. Some of these trails edge the cliff overlooking the canyon. Caution is warranted on these side trails. A GPS or mapping application is recommended to help you stay on the primary trail. Be warned, cell phone service is spotty. Downloading maps in advance is recommended.
The views of Forty Foot Hole are amazing. When supplied with water from Cache Creek, the canyon flows with water. Water flowing over the rocks forms a series of waterfall. On the day of my hike, the canyon was mostly dry so I was unable to see this feature.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge has so much to offer. Between the drive up Mount Scott, visiting the Holy City of the Wichitas, viewing the wildlife, and the many hiking trails, it can be hard to fit everything in. If your time it limited, with its short distance and spectacular views, the Kite Trail is a great trail to consider.
More Information:
.jpg)
