Charon's Garden Permit: Quota, Dates and Route
Charon's Garden permits are booked by advance reservation in Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The route covers 1.5 miles.
This guide covers the Charon's Garden Wilderness Backcountry Camping permit.
10
People Per Day
$10 Charon's Garden fee plus a $6 Recreation.gov reservation fee, plus $5 per person
Permit Cost
Fixed three-day permit periods
Duration
1.5 miles
Distance
moderate
Difficulty
About Charon's Garden
Oklahoma's only quota backcountry camping permit: ten people at a time in the Charon's Garden Wilderness, in fixed three-day blocks.
The Charon's Garden route
- Distance
- 1.5 miles
- Route type
- out-and-back
- Trip length
- Fixed three-day permit periods
- Difficulty
- moderate
Starts at Sunset Picnic Area
Wichita Mountains, southwestern Oklahoma. Nearest town: Cache
Points along the route
- Sunset Picnic AreaMile 0
- Unmarked backcountry trail
- Designated backcountry camping areaMile 1.5
- Charon's Garden boulder field
Charon's Garden permit detailsandAll Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge permits
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Pro Tips
Two parties of five fill the wilderness for a whole three-day block, so a single cancellation can be half the quota.
Reservations open three months ahead; the Friday-Saturday-Sunday blocks go first.
Group size cannot be changed after booking — adding a person means a new reservation and new fees.
Bison and longhorn roam free on the drive in. Do not approach them.
100+ wilderness permits, extensive backcountry experience
This guide is based on personal experience obtaining wilderness permits and is regularly updated to reflect current policies and strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a Charon's Garden permit?
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Charon's Garden permits require advance reservations. Book online as soon as reservations open for your desired dates.
When is the best time to visit Charon's Garden?
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October through April. The permit is issued year-round, but Oklahoma summers in an open granite wilderness with no shade and no reliable water are genuinely dangerous.
How long is the Charon's Garden route?
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The route is 1.5 miles, as an out-and-back.
How difficult is the Charon's Garden route?
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Backpackers within reach of southwestern Oklahoma who want a genuine wilderness night without a long drive.
Where does the Charon's Garden route start?
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Sunset Picnic Area.
What gear do I need for the Charon's Garden route?
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Essential gear includes: All your drinking water, carried in — the refuge says not to rely on streams or ponds, A stove, since fires of any kind are prohibited, A wag bag or equivalent, because solid human waste must be packed out, A map and compass or a downloaded offline map; the approach trail is unmarked and there is no cell coverage, The signed permit, in the group leader's possession for the whole trip.
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