The Holy City of the Wichitas
4.7(2.3K)google
4.3(17)yelp
HistoryOutdoor
Overview
The Holy City of the Wichitas is a public park and outdoor theater in the Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge outside of Lawton, Oklahoma. Made up of locally sourced granite, the 66-acre (26,700 m2) park aims to replicate ancient Jerusalem during Biblical times. The park features a large stage with eighteen stone structures, shrines, and watchtowers, as well as interactive displays, a museum, and a gift shop.
Practical Info
Suggested Duration1.5-3 hours
Best TimeFabulous at sunset (4:00 PM to 6:30 PM) on a clear day in April or October. This unique 66-acre hillside replica of ancient Jerusalem is built entirely from raw Wichita pink granite; late afternoon sun rays warm the heavy stone sanctuaries and Roman towers, evoking a striking biblical desert aesthetic.
Getting ThereTucked inside a rugged valley of the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Driving is mandatory: enter the refuge via OK-49 West past the visitor center, veer north onto the dedicated Holy City Road, and weave through the boulders for 3 miles to reach the sanctuary's vast free dirt parking basin.
Travel Tips
- This 66-acre historic stone site locks its main boundary gates sharply at 5:00 PM daily; walkways comprise unpolished native granite rocks, making rigid closed-toe rugged hiking footwear mandatory.
- Hosting the landmark historic 'Prince of Peace' Easter Passion Play, the local rural highway network gridlocks entirely during March-April dusk showtimes; un-registered spectator vehicles will be barred entry.
Photo Tips
Photo Rules
- The World Chapel interior houses delicate historic wall murals where flash clusters and selfie sticks are flatly banned; stay strictly on marked paths as wild prairie rattlesnakes actively nest in un-mowed grass.
Reviews
Positive
- An ancient Jerusalem-style stone city built entirely of raw granite boulders deep in the mountains. The visual impact is rugged, desolate, and holy.
- Home to America's longest-running outdoor Easter Pageant. Features detailed text plaques, and the sanctuary public restrooms are cleanly kept.
- The heritage ruins exude pure raw serenity away from urban noise, completely free of tacky gift shops or commercial traps, keeping a dignified aura.
- Entirely free admission for all hikers and motorists with zero ticket fees. A masterclass in viewing a unique historic sanctuary on zero budget.
Heads up
- Outside the Easter Pageant season, most stone chapels and halls are tightly locked; visitors can only stare at static rock walls, causing an aesthetic gap.
- Built decades ago deep in mountains, certain stone walls and steps show weathering and rubble; smooth accessible ramps are severely non-existent.
- Public transit is completely absent; winding mountain roads require driving. With zero sun canopies, summer noon heat feels like a furnace.
- The wilderness site has zero municipal lighting after dark. Lacking on-site security guards at night, tourists should drive out before sunset.