8 Miscellaneous Circular 36, U. S. Dept. of Agriculture 



SCENERY 



In scenic value the Wichita National Forest and Game Preserve 

 ranks high among the national forests of the country. Geologists 

 affirm that the Wichita Mountains are the oldest mountain range in 

 continental United States, and even to the untrained or unscientific 

 eye their appearance seems to bear out this assertion. Disintegra- 

 tion is far advanced, and the countless strange and interesting for- 

 mations, coupled with indescribably beautiful colorings resulting 

 from the play of the elements upon the crumbling rocks, yield scenic 

 effects at once unique and of compelling attractiveness. 



Situated just aside from a main transcontinental highway, in the 

 center of a vast open prairie country and yet within easy reach of 

 populous sections of the Southwest, the Wichita National Forest and 

 Game Preserve is rapidly becoming a public recreation center of 

 great importance and value. 



VALUE FOR RECREATION 



About 65,000 people visited the Wichita National Forest in 1923. 

 This number promises to increase from year to year as transporta- 

 tion facilities are improved, as the growing tendency to seek out and 

 enjoy the outdoor attractions of our own country becomes more 

 pronounced, and as the beauty and unusual elements of interest 

 found in this forest and game preserve become more widely known 

 and appreciated. 



The Forest Service recognizes that public recreation is a major 

 national forest resource. It invites the public to come, use, and 

 enjoy the forests, and places no restrictions upon such use or enjoy- 

 ment except the ordinary common-sense requirements as to sanita- 

 tion and care with fire. 



The entire forest and game preserve, aside from the buffalo pasture, 

 is dedicated to recreational use. Six choice areas have been desig- 

 nated as public camp grounds and are being improved and made 

 more convenient and enjoyable as rapidly as funds are provided to 

 finance the necessary sanitation, water supply, and playground im- 

 provements. The use of these areas is free to all. In this work civic 

 organizations of the towns and cities surrounding the forest are 

 taking a most important and helpful part. The Rotarians, Ki- 

 wanians, the chambers of commerce of Lawton, Hobart, Roosevelt, 

 and Cooperton, and the Cache Improvement Society have each under- 

 taken to help finance the development and improvement of one of the 

 jDublic camp grounds within the national forest. At three of the 

 camps swimming pools are being provided and are the most ap- 

 preciated development which could be undertaken. From the camp 

 grounds interesting trails lead to the mountain tops, and hiking is 

 growing in popularity annually. Informal programs, radio con- 

 certs, campfire talks, and contests of various kinds enliven the hours 

 in camp. 



Among the Oklahomans who live in the cities and towns and on 

 the plains near by there is a great and growing pride in the Wichita 

 National Forest and Game Preserve, a tremendous appreciation of 

 its value as a public property, and a keen willingness and desire 

 to participate in its protection and development. Some 4,000 cattle 



