The Chickasaw National Recreation Area’s Bison Herd In Oklahoma Is Getting A New Pasture

We've got some exciting news for all you bison enthusiasts out there. The Chickasaw National Recreation Area bison herd is on the move! That's right, these majestic creatures are packing their bags and relocating to a brand new pasture on Thursday, April 6, 2023.

The Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma is a stunningly beautiful area, featuring tall bluffs, hiking trails, meandering rivers, and lots of natural springs. It's also home to a variety of wildlife, including majestic bison.

The park bison herd has been around since way back in 1920 when 3 bison were first brought to the park from Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge.

These furry guys have been living it up in an 84-acre bison pasture since the 1930s.

Now, the herd is getting a new home on a 42-acre pasture with even more grazing land available. And once they move, the park staff will have the opportunity to perform some much-needed prairie restoration work in the old enclosure. Talk about a win-win situation.

According to Resource Management Specialist Steve Burrough, "Having a second pasture will allow us to rotate the bison back and forth. This will benefit both the land and the bison." We love to see it. If you're interested in learning more about the history of the bison, stop by the Travertine Nature Center.

But hold your horses, folks (or should we say bison?), there's a chance the relocation may be rescheduled if the weather doesn't cooperate. We all know how unpredictable Mother Nature can be, right?

If you're curious about the relocation schedule or just want to chat about bison, give the Travertine Nature Center a call at 580-622-7234. And if you want to learn more about how the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior manage bison herds across the country, including the one at Chickasaw National Recreation Area, be sure to check out the National Park Service website.

One of our favorite things to do in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is to go hiking. Read more about this 3-mile hike that takes you to beautiful natural springs. Or, if you enjoy bridges, check out this hike that will you to multiple bridges in the recreation area.