Structural damage along the Mt. Scott roadway was discovered on July 24, 2023. In the interest of public safety, Refuge management has made the difficult decision to temporarily close vehicle access to the road. Pedestrian and bicycle access will remain open, though closure of the road to all users will occur for short durations over the next 2 weeks, while crews conduct repairs. All closures will be posted at the base of the mountain when in effect. Refuge regulations allow refuge managers authority to restrict uses on refuge lands “…in the event of a threat or emergency endangering the health and safety of the public or property…” Refuge Manager, Amber Zimmerman, stated, “Closing Mt. Scott to vehicle access is not an easy decision. We want to ensure the safety of our visitors and we are unable to do so until the damage can be repaired.” Approximately 2 million visitors a year now visit the scenic Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. Mt Scott remains one of the Refuge’s most heavily visited attractions. The Mt. Scott Road not only receives heavy and increasing motorized vehicle traffic, but it has also become an increasingly popular place for pedestrians and bicyclists.

This scenic road was completed by the Works Progress Administration in 1938. The curvy 3- mile road twists and turns as it climbs roughly 1,000 feet to the mountain summit. Though it has been repaved several times, this two-lane road has experienced significant undercutting of its road base over the years that was repaired in a large project in 2019. Damage from recent rains appears to be minor.

Information about the closure can be found on the Refuge website at www.fws.gov/ refuge/wichita_mountains, by contacting the Visitor Center at 580-429-2197, or by following the Refuge on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Wichita-MountainsWildlifeRefuge.

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