Washita

Plan Your Visit

National wildlife refuges offer us all a chance to unplug from the stresses of daily life and reconnect with our natural surroundings. Washita National Wildlife Refuge offers wildlife-dependent recreation. Come hike our trails, drive the auto tour route, hunt for dove and quail, catch a fish or photograph wildlife.

The entire refuge is closed to all entry during the following controlled hunts

• Youth Deer Hunts: October 9-10, 2026; November 6-7, 2026.
• General Deer Hunt: November 10-11, 2026.
• Youth Turkey Hunt: April 9-11, 2027.

Driving Directions

The Refuge Headquarters is located 5 miles west of Butler, Oklahoma on State Highway 33, then 1 mile north on 2090 Road and one-half mile west on 940 Road.

Fees

There is no charge to visit.

Restrooms

Vault toilets are located at the refuge headquarters and recreation areas: Centennial Trail, Riverside, Turkey Flats, Owl Cove, Pitts Creek and Lakeview.

Points of Interest

Let our staff at the visitor contact station help you plan your visit! This is a great starting point for visitors to become more familiar with the refuge and the wildlife that live here. Visitors can obtain maps and brochures at the refuge headquarters.

What To Do

If you have 15-minutes.

Try your hand identifying tracks at the Owl Cove recreation area or visit the overlook at the refuge headquarters.

If you have one hour.

Drive the auto tour route.

If you have half a day or more.

Spend the day fishing at one of the designated fishing areas at Turkey Flats or Lakeview recreation areas.

Know Before You Go

Bring plenty of water, sunscreen and your fishing pole to enjoy a day of fishing and wildlife viewing at the refuge.

Trails

A few short walking trails at Washita National Wildlife Refuge allow visitors to access a variety of areas within the refuge.

Rules and Policies

• Refuge is open daily from sunrise to sunset.
• Vehicles are permitted only on designated access roads. ATVs and UTVs are not permitted on the refuge.
• Pets must be leashed when outside of vehicles.
• The possession or use of alcoholic beverages while hunting is prohibited on all National Wildlife Refuges.
• Only federally approved nontoxic shot is permitted on the refuge.
• Littering, fires, cleaning or filleting fish, water skiing, jet skiing, swimming, fireworks, and collecting plants and objects of antiquity, including Native American artifacts are prohibited.
• Fishing is allowed according to Oklahoma State Fishing Regulations and specific Refuge fishing regulations.
• Boating is permitted March 15- October 14. The refuge is closed to watercraft October 15-March 14.