Washita National Wildlife Refuge

Washita National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area featuring wetlands, open grasslands, and river habitat along Foss Reservoir. The landscape includes diverse terrain that supports breeding and resting grounds for waterfowl and other wildlife throughout the year.

The refuge was established in 1961 to provide resting and feeding locations for migratory birds traveling across central North America. Its creation marked an effort to protect water-dependent species during their seasonal movements.

The refuge plays an important role for the local community as a place where wildlife observation and nature study happen daily. Visitors experience how water habitats support the birds and animals that pass through central Oklahoma each year.

The refuge opens daily at dawn and closes at dusk, with marked areas for fishing and wildlife viewing throughout the grounds. A paved walking path with no steep inclines makes it easy for most people to explore and observe the habitat.

In winter months, the refuge becomes home to tens of thousands of geese, ducks, and cranes that gather in visible flocks across the water and grasslands. The site also protects two threatened species that are harder to spot but equally important to the ecosystem.

Location: Custer County

Inception: 1961

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/washita

GPS coordinates: 35.60840,-99.25060

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:20