Stories from the Wichitas
Our Journal
Read Our Latest Posts
Local insights, travel tips, and stories about the area we call home.
Jul 27, 2026
Medicine Park: A Festival-Filled Escape All Year Long
Discover Medicine Park's year-round festivals, from The Roots Ball to the Christmas Parade, nestled in Oklahoma's Wichita Mountains.
Jul 27, 2026
Explore Elmer Thomas Park & Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area
Discover Elmer Thomas Park and Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area near Wichita Mountains Lodge, offering swimming, water sports, hiking, and family-friendly outdoor activities.
Jul 27, 2026
Water Fun in Medicine Park: Bath Lake to Lake Lawtonka
Explore swimming, wading, fishing, and kayaking at Medicine Park's Bath Lake, Medicine Creek, and Lake Lawtonka near Wichita Mountains Lodge.
Jul 27, 2026
Family Fun in Medicine Park: Activities for All Ages
Discover family-friendly activities in Medicine Park, from Bath Lake swimming and wildlife spotting to the Aquarium, escape rooms, and scenic hiking trails.
Jul 27, 2026
Discover Medicine Park Aquarium & Natural Sciences Center
Explore over 90 native and non-native species at Medicine Park Aquarium, featuring interactive exhibits, river otters, touch tanks, and daily feeding demonstrations for families.
Jul 27, 2026
Christmas in Medicine Park: What Makes It Special
Discover why Medicine Park's historic cobblestone charm and festive holiday events make it a special small-town Christmas destination near Wichita Mountains.
Jul 27, 2026
Shopping in Medicine Park: Local Artisans & Boutiques
Discover local galleries, boutiques, and artisan shops in Medicine Park, from Red Door Gallery to White Buffalo Trading Post and beyond.
Jul 27, 2026
Exploring Medicine Park Trails: Your Gateway to Nature
Discover six distinctive hiking trails in Medicine Park, Oklahoma, nestled in the Wichita Mountains foothills, ranging from leisurely strolls to challenging climbs.
Jul 27, 2026
Birding in the Wichita Mountains: A Guide for Nature Lovers
Discover over 240 bird species in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, a premier birding destination on the Central Flyway with year-round sightings.
Jul 27, 2026
Charon’s Garden: Best Hikes in Wichita Mountains Refuge
Explore dramatic granite canyons, seasonal waterfalls, and remote wilderness trails in Charon's Garden, a rugged backcountry area of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Jul 27, 2026
Charon’s Garden Trails: Hiking Wichita Mountains Wilderness
Explore Charon's Garden Wilderness in Oklahoma's Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge with detailed trail guides, boulder scrambles, and scenic waterfall routes.
Jul 27, 2026
A Brief History of Medicine Park: From Cobblestones to Tourism
Explore Medicine Park's evolution from Oklahoma's first planned resort town in 1908 to a revitalized cultural destination with iconic cobblestone architecture and natural beauty.
Jul 27, 2026
Romantic Getaways in Medicine Park: Where to Stay and What to Do
Discover romantic stays and activities in Medicine Park, Oklahoma, from creekside lodges to scenic hikes and live music under the stars.
Jul 27, 2026
Medicine Park: A Culinary Trail in Oklahoma’s Cobblestone Gem
Explore Medicine Park's dining scene near Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, featuring historic restaurants, plant-forward cafés, and creekside eateries with local charm.
Jul 27, 2026
Live Music and Nightlife in Medicine Park
Discover live music venues, festivals, and nightlife in Medicine Park, Oklahoma, from free outdoor concerts to intimate taverns and annual music celebrations.
Jul 27, 2026
Historic Cobblestone Architecture in Medicine Park
Explore Medicine Park's unique red granite cobblestone buildings from the early 1900s, including the iconic Old Plantation Restaurant and charming East Lake Drive cottages.
Jul 27, 2026
Hike Wichita Mountains: See Wildlife in the Wild
Explore 15+ miles of trails in the 59,000-acre Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge to spot bison, elk, and longhorns near Medicine Park.
Jul 27, 2026
Medicine Park: A Roaring 1920s Hideaway for Outlaws
Explore Medicine Park's Prohibition-era history as a 1920s resort town that secretly harbored bootleggers, speakeasies, and notorious outlaws like Al Capone and Bonnie and Clyde.
Jul 27, 2026
The Outlaws of Medicine Park: Prohibition-Era Legends
Explore Medicine Park's wild Prohibition-era history, from notorious outlaws like Al Spencer to hidden speakeasies and secret tunnels that shaped this Oklahoma town.
Jul 27, 2026
The Bison of the Wichitas: Where to See the Herd
Discover where to spot over 600 bison roaming freely across the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, established in 1907 to protect American buffalo from extinction.
Jul 27, 2026
Fort Sill: From Frontier Outpost to Living History
Explore Fort Sill's transformation from 1869 cavalry post to U.S. Army artillery training center, featuring 150+ years of military history and historic landmarks.
Jul 27, 2026
Your Perfect Weekend Itinerary in Medicine Park
Discover a three-day weekend guide to Medicine Park featuring hiking, dining, live music, and creekside lodging near the Wichita Mountains.
Jul 27, 2026
Big News from the Mountains: Our New Website Is Live!
Wichita Mountains Lodge launches a redesigned website with mobile-friendly booking, real-time availability, and exclusive online discounts for mountain getaways.