Charon's Garden Trail (Wichita Mountains) Hiking Guide
Charon's Garden Trail crosses the Charon's Garden Wilderness in the western part of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. It runs from the Sunset Picnic Area to the Treasure Lake parking area through granite boulder fields, creek bottoms and open meadows. The refuge's own description says the route isn't for the faint of heart.
Route and Shuttle
The refuge and Hiking Project both put the trail at 2.4 miles one way. Hiking Project shows about 283 feet of climbing and 165 feet of descent heading north. As a through-hike it needs a car at each end, which is why the refuge tells hikers to arrange a pickup. Without a shuttle you face roughly double the distance as an out-and-back, and more boulder work than most people expect.
The Boulder Garden
In the central canyon the path gives way to a jumble of granite boulders that you climb over and squeeze between. Hiking Project's contributor describes linking up with the stream, following it into the garden and hopping across rocks, with several small wet and dry creek crossings in the meadows on either side. The route is unmarked and laced with side paths, so carry a map or GPS track and keep checking your bearings. Some write-ups mention crawling through small caves here, but refuge rules close all caves to entry to protect bats from white-nose syndrome, so stay out of them.
Permits, Group Size and Dogs
Day hiking is free and needs no permit. Groups in the wilderness are capped at 15. Backcountry camping is allowed only at designated sites in Charon's Garden, by permit through Recreation.gov: a $10 administrative fee plus $5 per person, for up to three days, either Friday to Sunday or Monday to Wednesday, with no permits issued for Thursday. Campfires are banned in the backcountry. Dogs may come on a leash under 10 feet, though big boulders can be hard on them.
Safety Out Here
The refuge has no drinking water and spotty cell service, and its Treasure Lake and Sunset lots have been closed in the past while crews ran search-and-rescue operations in this area. Carry extra water, a headlamp in case you're slower than planned, and a charged phone. Trailheads close at sunset. Bison and longhorn graze the meadows at either end; give them room.
Seasons and Hunt Closures
Spring, fall and winter are the comfortable months. Summer heat on bare granite can be dangerous, and the refuge has imposed early-morning-only hiking during past heat waves. From December into early February, controlled elk hunts run on weekdays, and the refuge has closed Charon's Garden, Sunset, and Post Oak and Treasure lakes on hunt days. The closed areas change with each hunt, so check before you drive.
Hiking tips for Charon's Garden Trail (Wichita Mountains)
- Stage a second car at Treasure Lake before you start at Sunset.
- Load a GPS track; the route is unmarked through the boulders.
- Budget extra time for the scramble in the central canyon.
- Stay out of the rock caves, which the refuge closes to protect bats.
- Confirm winter hunt closures before driving out.
Nearby trails to explore
- Elk Mountain Trail (Wichita Mountains)
- Crab Eyes Trail (Wichita Mountains)
- Kite Trail to Forty Foot Hole (Wichita Mountains)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Charon's Garden almost needs a group: one car at each end, and someone to spot you in the boulder field. Plan it in TrailMates, sort out who parks at Treasure Lake in the event's group chat, and set off from Sunset together. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.