📷 Photo by Jonny Gios on UnsplashHoly City of the Wichitas
Lawton, OK
A set of stone buildings built for an Easter passion play first staged here in 1926. It sits inside the wildlife refuge, so watch for bison on the drive in.
The Holy City of the Wichitas is a group of stone buildings for an Easter pageant in the Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma, about 22 miles (35 km) northwest of Lawton. The pageant began on April 4, 1926 in the Wichita Mountains near Medicine Park as an Easter service with drama; the present site was built in 1934-35 by the Works Progress Administration, about five miles west of the original location.
The structures include a temple court, Pilate's judgment hall, Calvary's Mount, the Garden of Gethsemane, watch towers, rock shrines and walls, and later a Lord's Supper building, Herod's Court and a chapel. Locally quarried granite was used. The 150-acre (about 60 ha) site is leased from the federal government by the private Wichita Mountains Easter Pageant Association and, according to the Oklahoma Historical Society, is open to visitors during daylight.
In the late 1930s the pageant drew more than 100,000 spectators a year; by the 1980s it was about 3,000. Check access and event dates beforehand (as of October 2026).
- Nearest town
- Lawton, OK
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 34.7210, -98.6280
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. Hot in July. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Featured in these trip guides
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Doris CampCampsite1 mi from Holy City of the Wichitas
- Letra CampgroundCampsite6 mi from Holy City of the Wichitas
- Lake Lawtonka - Robinson Landing CampgroundCampsite7 mi from Holy City of the Wichitas
- Lake Lawtonka - East CampgroundCampsite8 mi from Holy City of the Wichitas
- Motorhome stopover · Medicine ParkMotorhome stopover8 mi from Holy City of the WichitasMotorhomes
- Camp George ThomasCampsite14 mi from Holy City of the Wichitas
All campsites in Oklahoma · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Holy City of the Wichitas?
Holy City of the Wichitas is in Lawton, OK, at GPS 34.7210, -98.6280. It is about 7 mi from Medicine Park.
Can you camp near Holy City of the Wichitas?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Doris Camp, about 1 mi away; within 25 mi there are 10 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
Which road trips pass Holy City of the Wichitas?
Holy City of the Wichitas is a stop on these CampingSpirit trip guides: Bison and granite in the Wichita Mountains.
What is there to see near Holy City of the Wichitas?
Places worth a stop nearby: Mount Scott (6 mi), Quartz Mountain Nature Park (40 mi), Oklahoma City National Memorial (82 mi) and Turner Falls Park (87 mi).
When is the best time to visit Holy City of the Wichitas?
The most pleasant months are usually May and September–October. Still fine, with some compromises, in April and June. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)