Charon's Garden Wilderness Area

The 5,723-acre granite landscape contains numerous mountain peaks, including Elk Mountain, Mount Lincoln, and Granite Mountain within the wildlife refuge boundaries.

The area became part of the Wichita Forest Reserve in 1901 and was later designated as a Game Preserve by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1905.

Native American tribes, particularly the Comanche and Kiowa, used the rocky terrain of this region as a strategic hiding location during territorial conflicts.

Backcountry camping requires permits limited to ten people per three-day period, available either Friday through Sunday or Monday through Wednesday.

The granite formations in this wilderness area date back 500 to 550 million years, creating natural climbing routes ranging from basic to technical difficulty levels.

Location: Comanche County

Part of: Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge

Website: https://recreation.gov/permits/4675313

GPS coordinates: 34.72140,-98.73170

Latest update: March 6, 2025 21:03