‘Fall Foliage Walks’ Saturday & Nov. 23

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refugeand the Friends of the Wichitas are inviting the public to interpretive “Fall Foliage Walks” on Saturdays, November 16 and 23.

Tours begin at 10 a.m.. Reservations are a must. You can easily secure your spot online, by phone, or in person but remember, it’s first-come, first-served.

These lovely Fall Foliage Walks will take you to some incredible spots in the refuge where you can enjoy the breathtaking colors of maples, oaks, and sumac, all framed by the gorgeous Wichita Mountains. As you wander, guides from the Friends of the Wichitas will share fascinating insights about native plants and the seasonal changes that create such stunning views.

Online reservations are available at https://www.signupgenius.com/go/fall_foliage_walk_tour. Online reservations are the easiest and safest way to secure your spot. If you’d prefer to call, you can reach Refuge personnel at (580) 429-3222, Option 0, as long as there’s space available. Reservations are held until 10 minutes before the tour begins, and after that, standbys are welcome. If the bus fills up with standbys, late arrivals with reservations may not be able to join, so be sure to arrive on time.

Meet at the Refuge Visitor Center at the intersection of Oklahoma 49 and Oklahoma 115. Grab a Refuge leaflet and map from one of the dispensers at any of the five entrances. These walks are perfect for individuals and families, and each tour lasts about three hours.

Please note that kids need to be at least 8 years old to join in the fun. Each reservation can include up to six family members, but keep in mind there are no restrooms available during the tours. If you need wheelchair access to the bus, just let it be known when you make your reservation, and it’ll be arranged.

Remember that tours depend on the weather, so there may be need to cancel or modify them if conditions aren’t right. Canceled tours won’t be rescheduled.

For more information, feel free to check out www.fws.gov/refuge/Wichita_Mountains/ or www.friendsofthewichitas.org/tours/.