Lawton area
Around Lawton area
Photo: Crimsonedge34 · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Oklahoma · 170k people
Lawton area
Locals say Lawton-Fort Sill · “City of the Plains”
Where the plains meet the granite hills.
Cameron University maroonCameron University goldArmy green
Welcome to Lawton-Fort Sill, where the prairie meets the mountains. Whether you're here for the outdoor adventures or the friendly community, you'll find a place that feels like home. Come explore the trails, the lakes, and the local spirit.
Clubs for Lawton area
No clubs for Lawton area yet.
The room
Lawton area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Lawton's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Lawton. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Lawton area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Fort Sill Historic Army post with museums.
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Home to bison, elk, and hiking trails.
- Medicine Park Old resort town with cobblestone buildings.
- Mount Scott Scenic drive to the top with panoramic views.
- Lake Lawtonka Popular for fishing, boating, and swimming.
- Museum of the Great Plains Exhibits on regional history and culture.
- Outdoors Hike the Wichita Mountains
- Outdoors Fish at Lake Lawtonka
- With kids Visit the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
- With kids Swim at Lake Lawtonka
- Evenings Bar hop on Cache Road
- Evenings Catch live music at local venues
- Locals love Lake recreation areas
- Locals love Wildlife viewing spots
Through the year
- Lawton Rangers Rodeo August Major PRCA rodeo.
- Comanche County Free Fair September County fair with exhibits and rides.
- Lawton Arts for All Festival Spring Arts and crafts festival.
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Bison Roundup Fall Annual bison herd management event.
- Medicine Park Music Festival Summer Outdoor concerts in the park.
Lawton has a humid subtropical climate with hot summers and mild winters. The best time to be out is spring or fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities, with mild temperatures.
Talk like a local
- “The Wichitas”
- Short for the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
- “Cache Road”
- The main road through Lawton, often used for directions.
- “On post”
- Local term for the area around Fort Sill.
- “Going to Medicine”
- A quick trip to Medicine Park for fun.
Getaways
- Duncan Small town charm and oil heritage.
- Wichita Falls Waterfall and river walk.
- Altus Gateway to Quartz Mountain.
- Vernon Historic downtown and Red River.
Local flavour
Rooting for Oklahoma City Thunder (NBA), Oklahoma Sooners (NCAA), Oklahoma State Cowboys (NCAA), Dallas Cowboys (NFL)
Eat and drink
- Chicken fried steak A classic Oklahoma comfort dish
- Indian tacos
- Onion burgers A statewide Oklahoma specialty
- Braum's ice cream Beloved regional dairy chain
Where people go
- Fort Sill Major US Army installation and historic site
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Granite peaks, bison herds, and hiking trails
- Medicine Park Historic cobblestone resort town at the edge of the Wichitas
Heritage and traditions
Lawton-Fort Sill is proud of its deep military heritage, the natural beauty of the Wichita Mountains, and the vibrant Native American cultures of the Comanche, Kiowa, and Apache nations.
This time of year in Lawton area
- Bison Roundup October The refuge's annual roundup is a public event.
- Hunting season Fall Deer and turkey hunting in the Wichitas draws locals.
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Bison Roundup October Public event where bison are gathered for health checks and branding.
Say it like a local: “fixin' to” — About to do something
Festivals
- Lawton Rangers Rodeo June One of the largest rodeos in the region, featuring PRCA events and a parade.
- Comanche County Free Fair August Agricultural exhibits, livestock shows, and carnival rides.
- Lawton Arts for All Festival April A celebration of visual and performing arts with local and regional artists.
- Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge Bison Roundup October Public event where bison are gathered for health checks and branding.
- Medicine Park Music Festival September Live music in the historic cobblestone town along Medicine Creek.
- Apache Rattlesnake Festival April A quirky small-town festival with rattlesnake demonstrations and food.
Landmarks with a story
- Fort Sill Established in 1869, this active Army post preserves historic stone buildings and the Apache prisoner of war cemetery.
- Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center Showcases Comanche history, art, and culture in Lawton.
- Holy City of the Wichitas A religious site near Medicine Park with a life-sized replica of Jerusalem and an annual Easter passion play.
- Medicine Park Historic District A cobblestone resort town built in the early 1900s, listed on the National Register.
- Apache prisoner of war cemetery at Fort Sill Final resting place of Geronimo and other Apache prisoners.
- Quanah Parker Star House The home of the Comanche chief Quanah Parker in Cache, Oklahoma.
Food traditions
- Indian tacos Fry bread topped with taco fixings, a staple at powwows and Native American events.
- Fry bread A Native American bread, often served with honey or as a base for Indian tacos.
- Calf fries Breaded and fried bull testicles, a rodeo delicacy often served at western events.
- Chicken fried steak A diner classic, a breaded and fried beef cutlet smothered in cream gravy.
- Onion burgers A regional burger style with grilled onions pressed into the patty.
Music and arts
- Native American traditional art Kiowa and Comanche beadwork, ledger art, and painting are celebrated.
- Powwow music and dance Gourd dances and other ceremonies are held throughout the year.
- Country music A strong local scene with honky-tonk and western swing influences.
- Lawton Philharmonic Orchestra Performs classical and pops concerts in the region.
A little history
- 1869 Fort Sill established
- 1901 Lawton founded as a townsite on former reservation lands
- 1894 Geronimo and other Apache prisoners brought to Fort Sill
- 1908 Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge established to protect bison and other wildlife
- 1930s Dust Bowl impacts the region's agriculture
Rivalries
- Lawton High vs. Eisenhower High Local football rivalry.
- Cameron University vs. local community College sports pride.
- Lawton vs. Duncan Friendly competition between towns.
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Game day Lawton Rangers Rodeo
- Outdoors Drive to the top of Mount Scott
- Outdoors Hike the Charon's Garden Trail
- With kids Visit the Comanche National Museum and Cultural Center
- With kids Attend the Easter Passion Play at the Holy City
A blend of Southern drawl and Midland American English. You'll hear 'y'all' and 'fixin' to,' and soda is called 'pop.' The accent is relaxed and friendly, with a hint of Western twang.
Only here
- The Holy City of the Wichitas hosts an Easter passion play with a life-sized Jerusalem replica.
- The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is one of the few places to see wild bison in Oklahoma.
- Fort Sill is the home of the U.S. Army Field Artillery School.
- Medicine Park is a historic cobblestone town built around natural springs.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot summers and occasional tornadoes; have a weather radio and a plan.
- Fort Sill is a major part of the community; you'll need a valid ID to enter the post.
- Try an Indian taco at a local powwow or event—it's a regional favorite.
- The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is free and great for hiking, but watch for bison and snakes.
- Learn to say 'y'all'—it's common, and locals appreciate the friendliness.
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Areas in Lawton area
Nearby
Every areaAnadarkoOklahomaLand of red earth and the powwow drum.HobartOklahomaWhere the plains meet the skyArbuckle MountainsOklahomaWhere the springs run clear and the hills hold stories.Wichita FallsTexasWhere the falls roar and the plains stretch forever.ArdmoreOklahomaWhere the plains meet the pines, and the lakes welcome you home.AltusOklahomaWide skies, warm hearts, and wheat fields as far as you can see.VernonTexasWhere the plains meet the Red River.WeatherfordOklahomaBig skies, warm hearts, and the spirit of the prairie.
Lawton-Duncan, OK CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.