Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
An ancient granite mountain refuge in southwestern Oklahoma offering a striking contrast between rugged rock formations, oak woodlands, prairies, and golden fall colors alongside native bison and elk.
Forest Composition
Conditions & 5-Day Forecast
Field notes · 2026 estimate
When to see peak color at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Peak fall color is predicted around November 15. Plan for the strongest viewing window from November 10 to November 20.
- Predicted peak
- November 15
- Best window
- November 10 – November 20
- Confidence range
- ±5 days
The prediction comes from 14 years of fall color records at this spot, checked against what observers on the ground saw. Where state foliage spotters report peak (New York, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Missouri), it has landed inside our ±5-day window about two years in three. An unusual summer or autumn can still move it further. Explore fall color around Comanche County and across Oklahoma.
That is 5 days later than usual (November 10): the six weeks to October 24 ran 6.7°F warmer than the 2001–2025 average, and a warmer run before peak delays the color. This will settle about ten days before peak, as the weather comes in.
Nearby locales