The Charons Garden Trail: Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma
Oklahoma, like my own home state of Texas, often gets an unfair label of being mostly flat. But just like there are true mountains in Texas, there are true mountains in Oklahoma, and one of the best trails in this state is hiding among one of the best ranges of mountains in Oklahoma! The Charons Garden Trail in the Charons Garden Wilderness Area is a fascinating blend of this region’s plateaus, grasslands, mountains, and canyons – it is a hike you will not soon forget!
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Table of Contents
Guide to the Charons Garden Trail
The Charons Garden Trail is part of the wild and rugged Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, and as such, it contains a tapestry not found anywhere else in the state! This guide covers everything you need to truly get the most out of this hike, including:
- The Location of the Charons Garden Trail
- What to Know Before You Go
- Quick Overview of the Charons Garden Trail
- Full Trail Report
- Gear Recommendations for the Wichita Mountains in Oklahoma
- Other Attractions Near the Charons Garden Trail
Location of the Charons Garden Trail
The Charons Garden Trail is part of the Charons Garden Wilderness Area, which is a part of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, harbored in Oklahoma’s southern region. The closest small town is Medicine Park, and the closest large town is Lawton, Oklahoma.
What to Know Before You Go
Use the following information to help plan your visit to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma.
Location: The Charons Garden Trail is located in southwest Oklahoma. It is located in the Charons Garden Wilderness Area, which is a part of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge (Google Map)
Entrance Fees: FREE! There are no fees to enter or hike in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. There is a fee to reserve a campsite.
Hours: Open daily from sunrise to sunset
Pet Policy: Leashed pets are welcome
Best Time of Year to Visit: year round
Camping: Camping is available in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. There are 2 developed campgrounds, which are reservable online here, as well as backcountry camping in the Charons Garden Wilderness Area.
Closest Towns: Medicine Park, OK (30 minutes) and Lawton, OK (40 minutes)
Lodging and Amenities: there are both hotel and vacation rental options in both Medicine Park and Lawton, though Lawton tends to have more budget friendly accommodation options. There are amenities including dining, shopping, and other attractions in both Medicine Park and Lawton.
Quick Facts on the Charons Garden Trail
Length: 4.3 miles roundtrip out and back
Route: This is an out and back trail, with trailheads located at both the northern and southern ends of the trail. You can choose to hike north to south, or south to north, and back. The boulder field (which I will discuss in more details) is located almost midway in the hike, about equi-distance from either the northern or southern trailheads. This guide will cover this hike from NORTH to SOUTH!
Rating: Moderate – elevation gain is moderate, but the terrain is somewhat technical in some areas, with bouldering and stream crossings.
Estimated Time to Complete: 2 hours
Elevation Gain: 482 feet
Parking: there is parking at the Charons Garden Trailhead
Facilities: there are restrooms and a picnic area at the Charons Garden Trailhead
Full Trail Report On the Charons Garden Trail
This is a point to point hike, which means there is a southern and northern trailhead for the Charons Garden Trail. This guide will cover the hike from NORTH to SOUTH! To access the NORTHERN trailhead for this hike (also called the Sunset Trailhead), visitors will first enter the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
As it is a wildlife refuge, expect to see resident bison, elk, deer, and longhorn herds as you enter. There is even a prairie dog town you can stop and view on the drive in! You likely won’t catch a glimpse of the refuge’s more secretive or rare residents, like bobcats, bats, and foxes, but they are out there!
There is no entrance fee to enter the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Once within the borders, there are several miles of refuge road to drive before arriving at the northern trailhead (Sunset Trailhead) for the Charons Garden Trail.
The drive in itself is peacefully serene and beautiful. Expanses of waving grasslands, bordered by craggy and rocky mountains, and dotted with small lakes. There are several other trails and lakes along the route to the Charons Garden Trail and its northern trailhead, and these make for excellent additional add ons to any visit to these mountains in Oklahoma.
At the northern trailhead (Sunset Trailhead), make sure to locate signage for the Charons Garden Trail. There are other trailheads for other trails in the same vicinity (like Elk Mountain). There is ample parking, bathroom facilities, and a small picnic area at the trailhead.
The Charons Garden Trail on its northern end starts off in largely dappled forest cover, with some sections of open grasslands, for about a mile, while passing some washes and creek beds, before reaching the infamous boulder field. You will know immediately when you reach the boulder field! The forest opens up at an overlook above a boulder filled canyon, wedged between the two mountain walls. These boulders range in size, all the way up to house sized boulders!
At this point, you have a choice whether to scramble over the boulders, or bypass them. If you choose to scramble over the boulders, there are some blue markings painted on the rocks to help guide you, but largely you are just going to be weaving along on your own. Take care if conditions are wet, as this will make the rocks slippery. Also, this may not be the best choice for less experienced hikers, small children, or those hiking with pets. The crevasses between the boulders are deceptively deep, and a fall could cause major damage.
If you prefer to simply soak in the amazement of the boulder field, but not necessarily traverse them on foot, then bypassing the boulder field may be your preferred option. When the trail first opens up and you are overlooking the boulder field, to the immediate right there is a small, unmarked trail that proceeds down the right side of the boulder field. Again, it is not officially marked, but it is there.
If you are looking for this side trail, it will not involve bouldering at all. Meaning, if you’re on a boulder, you’ve gone too far looking for the bypass! This bypass trail will snake down through the trees, passing numerous caves created by the wedged boulders. Note that there are several side trails here to the left of the main trail, but they are all just short spurs for going into the caves. Definitely worth exploring, but don’t let them confuse you from the main trail.
REMINDER! This guide covers this hike from NORTH to SOUTH! That means if you are hiking south to north, the side trail bypassing the boulder field will be on your left!
After passing the boulder field, the trail opens up from the canyon into open grasslands and plateaus, bordered by rugged mountains. The trail continues along a creek bed with a couple minor crossings, before hooking left into a small canyon bordered by cliffs. The creek flows over a small spillway and shallow pool here. Continue along the trail past this little canyon and spillway, and then be on the lookout for the Charons Garden Trail’s next landmark, the Post Oak waterfall, which will be on your left!
The spur trail to the Post Oak waterfall is not part of the official Charons Garden Trail, but it is absolutely worth it, and arguably one of the highlights of the whole hike! There is a sign indicating the spur trail to the Post Oak waterfall off the main trail to the left.
It is a brief walk of only a minute or two towards a canyon wall, where you will find the Post Oak waterfall and the shallow pool it creates among the walls. I was lucky enough to experience this waterfall in the dead of winter, and it is even more stunning when it is frozen and crystalized! There are also some smooth rock plates surrounding the waterfall, which make it a nice place to stop and sit for a break.
After the Post Oak waterfall, hikers can head back to the main trail and continue on towards the two lakes that border the southern trailhead of the Charons Garden Trail, Treasure Lake and Post Oak Lake. Once you reach these lakes, the southern trailhead and termination of the trail is just beyond.
REMINDER! This guide follows the Charons Garden Trail from NORTH to SOUTH! If you hike the Charons Garden Trail from south to north, be sure to reverse the directions in this guide!
Recommendations for the Charons Garden Trail
There are few gear recommendations you should bring and a few helpful tips you should be aware of to get the most out of hiking the Charons Garden Trail responsibly!
- footwear! Something with excellent grip and sturdy support, especially if you plan to take on the boulder field! Waterproof is a plus, especially since this trail involves several bodies of water, and creek crossings. My favorite waterproof hiking boot will cover all your bases for this hike.
- the right layers! No matter whether you hike in winter or summer, make sure all your layers are breathable, moisture wicking, and quick drying. I always trust wool myself. I hike in nothing other than wool layers, and these are some of my most trusted wool accessories: a lightweight wool tank, wool baselayer for the cold, and a weather resistant outer layer for dicier conditions. Don’t forget to take care of your feet as well with the best in cushioned, wool hiking socks! Finally, this region can get windy, so cover your head with an appropriate accessory. My two go to’s are my SmartWool cuffed beanie, and my Buff! Buffs are probably my most cherished hiking accessory, because they are just so versatile! I can fold them to wear as a headband, which keeps my hair in place and my ears covered. I can layer them under a beanie, or they can even be used as a neck gaiter and baklava in really cold and gusty conditions!
- water and a water transport system! Even though this may be considered a shorter hike at just over 4 miles roundtrip in length, you still need to bring plenty of water, especially in the summer. There are large portions of this hike with little shade or cover. My favorite water transport system is my Platypus 3 liter hydration bladder. This particular model has a wide mouth, which makes cleaning and drying way easier! I always prefer the ease of hydrating on the go, and being able to carry a substantial amount of water always eases my mind when day hiking, especially in a remote wilderness area like the Charons Garden Wilderness Area and the Wichita Mountains!
- a daypack with the 10 hiking essentials! This hike is on the side of more remote, with no reliable cell service, so bring along what you may need in case of emergency, as well as good hiking snacks for energy. Store everything you need in a daypack, like this perfectly sized Camelbak Helena daypack that I use for all my day hiking!
- navigation! Cell service is unreliable at best on the Charons Garden Trail, so make sure that you have your navigation ready, and if you are using downloadable maps, have them downloaded ahead of time. Bring along an extra, charged, battery for emergencies, if you need to power your device.
Once you have completed the Charons Garden Trail, if you finish at the northern trailhead, consider adding on the Elk Mountain Trail to your hike. This summit trail contains challenging uphills, and will add another 2 miles on to your day, plus breathtaking views! Its trailhead is located adjacent to the northern trailhead for Charons Garden Trail.
Other Attractions Near the Charons Garden Trail in the Wichita Mountains of Oklahoma
There are additional attractions located in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, as well as outside of the refuge and nearby to the Charons Garden Trail.
Visit the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center
Fish or Boat at Lake Elmer Thomas and Quanah Parker Lake
Hike Other Nearby Trails, including:
- The Bison Trail
- Mount Baldy Trail
- The Narrows Trail
- The Elk Mountain Trail
Mount Scott
Lake Lawtonka
The Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center
***Interested in other memorable hikes in Oklahoma? One of my other favorites is the state high point hike at Black Mesa, the point where the central plains converge with the southern tip of the Rocky Mountains!
PIN for LATER!
I never would have guessed that there are frozen waterfalls and lakes in Oklahoma! They are so cool!