Hiking Burford Trail in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge

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The Burford Lake Trail is a 0.8 mile moderately trafficked there and back trail located near Indiahoma, Oklahoma that features prairie lands, a lake, and great views of the surrounding area when you reach the end of the trail.

The Burford Trail in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge – History

The trail was built back in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps but was never added to the official maps of the refuge. Over time it was lost to history. Then in 2011 the trail was rediscovered after the wildfires of 2011. The trail was restored by the Friends of the Wichitas, Treasure Lake Job Corps, and refuge employees. I couldn’t find the history anywhere on the web but I did take a picture from the trail head sign. Its a short history about the lake and why the trail was built.

The Burford Trail in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge – Our Hike

The Burford Trail is a nice leisurely walk in nature. But getting there isn’t all that easy if you haven’t figured out where it is located before heading out there. The trail is off the main road but their isn’t a sign for the trail, just a turn off. But in the small parking area there is a trail head with a sign and a little history about the trail.

As you walk along the trail you will find newly installed signs (Not really new, they were added 2014) that gives you a little information about the wildlife, plant life, and history of trail and surrounding area.

As to Our Hike

On our final day at the refuge was actually just a few hours checking out a few hot spots and a short and easy hike that we could take our dogs one. We have 2 older dogs. One is 15 years old completely binds partially deaf, and had knee issues. The other is a 10 year old pit mix that is lazy and out of shape.

Because of dogs and the shortness of the trail we decided not to take our water or my camera gear. We found this trail to be the perfect short trail for small children and dogs not use to long walks in a nature setting.

Its a narrow one person wide trail that is mostly flat for most of the trail that has short but steep incline to reach the trail end. Without dealing with the dogs or stopping the views, this trail can easily be done in less than 20 minutes. At the end of the trail there are options to explore unofficial trails that go further into the refuge or lead to other trails or you could find the unofficial trail that continues around the lake and back to the parking lot.

The trail is in great shape, only a few sections were there were downed trees across the trail or the brush along the trail crowded the trail.

Even though this a short trail, I really liked the trail and will do it again with the dogs or with the wife and myself so we can explore the other parts of the trails.