The Wichita Mountains Wilderness now contains a total of 8,570 acres and is managed by the Fish & Wildlife Service's Wichita Mountains National Wildlife Refuge. All of the Wilderness is in the state of Oklahoma. In 1970 the Wichita Mountains Wilderness became part of the now over 110 million acre National Wilderness Preservation System. Of the refuge's 59,020 acres, 22,400 acres are open to public use. The rest of the refuge is a special-use area reserved for the wild animals.

In 1901 this area was proclaimed a "Forest Preserve," and in 1905 President Theodore Roosevelt signed a law creating the first "Game Sanctuary" here for the almost-extinct Bison bison. Thanks to careful management, a remnant bunch of 15 buffalo has grown to a maintained herd of about 650, which live among the rugged rocky outcroppings, oak forests, and the mixed-grass prairie of the refuge.

Within the northern portion of the special-use area lies North Mountain Wilderness Unit. The rugged southwestern corner of the refuge is protected as Charons Garden Wilderness Unit and is open to the public. The outstanding and unique scenic qualities of this wilderness unit attract many visitors.