Roger Mills County, where Washita Battlefield sits, recorded a violent crime rate of 423 per 100,000 residents in 2023 — roughly 70% higher than the national average — making off-site security the sharpest concern for visiting families. The park itself is a small, open historic site with limited staffing, so the surrounding rural area sets the tone for personal safety more than the grounds themselves do.
When you overnight nearby, choose campgrounds or RV parks with gated access and good lighting rather than isolated pull-offs along county roads. Keep valuables locked in your vehicle or RV rather than visible in a tent or on a picnic table, and note that the area also sees regular hail and tornado activity — five tornado events are on record — so confirm your lodging has a storm shelter or basement before you book and download a local weather alert app before you leave cell range.
Top recorded hazards in Roger Mills County
County dataFrom NOAA Storm Events (2024). Counts of recorded incidents — not all occurred at this park.
- Hail 5
- Tornado 5
- Thunderstorm Wind 2
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About Washita Battlefield National Historic Site
On November 27, 1868, Lt. Colonel George Armstrong Custer led the 7th US Cavalry on a surprise dawn attack on a Cheyenne village led by Peace Chief Black Kettle. The event was an example of the tragic clash of cultures that occurred during the Great Plains Wars. It is also a place of remembrance and reflection for those who died here. Read More
Weather
Weather in western Oklahoma can vary considerably. Winters can be mild to severe with ice storms being the biggest concern. Spring is usually short but pleasant although severe weather, including tornadoes, is still a possibility. Usually a strong breeze is associated with spring weather. Summers are brutally hot and visitors should be cautioned about spending any length of time in the heat. Falls are cool with a bitter wind.