10 Places to Camp in Oklahoma: State Parks and More

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My grandmother used to call us grandkids and announce “Destination Unknown.” We knew she was coming to pick us up for an adventure, often at an Oklahoma state park. Those trips are part of why I still love camping here. Below are ten Oklahoma camping destinations, including state parks and a few federal lands and river-camping areas, with links to help you plan your own getaway.

I’ve lived in Oklahoma all my life, and Robbers Cave holds another special memory: it’s where I went to church camp as a kid. This is a collection of places we enjoy recommending, with personal memories alongside practical planning notes. Campsites, hookups and pet access vary, so confirm the exact site before booking.

For state-park availability and reservations, start with Oklahoma’s official state-parks directory. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, Chickasaw National Recreation Area and Ouachita National Forest are federally managed; Illinois River camping is generally arranged through individual operators. Their booking and access rules differ from state parks.

Start with the kind of trip you want

• A cave tour and camping: read our Alabaster Caverns trip report, including our stay at campsite 8 and current tour-planning notes.
• More time around Sulphur: combine campground research with our Sulphur activity guide.
• A weekend from Oklahoma City: compare our nine Oklahoma weekend getaways before choosing your base.
• Cold-weather RV travel: use our winter RV checklist and ask about services before reserving.

Our childhood visits and camping memories are why these places matter to us. For your own trip, compare shade, walking distance to facilities, the exact hookups, site length and pet rules—not just the park’s name.

The Best Time to Go Camping In Oklahoma State Parks:

Camping Oklahoma State Parks can be a lot of fun if you plan your trip wisely. The Summer months in Oklahoma can get pretty hot, with record heat in July and August. So if you are not a fan of the heat then the best times to camp are in the spring or fall.

The weather is fairly mild in September or October which is perfect for campfires and S’more making. Mornings can be chilly so you will want to dress in layers.

If you enjoy lake trips, summer offers plenty to plan around, but check current water access and conditions. Before fishing, use the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation licensing information to confirm the licence and exemptions that apply to you and your chosen location.

10 Oklahoma camping destinations: state parks and more

These ten picks are in no particular order. Use the trip ideas below to narrow the list, then check the current campground map, amenities and rules.

Beavers Bend State Park:

Beavers Bend State Park is a 1,300 acres Oklahoma state park located in McCurtain County. They have a total of 56 tent sites for you to choose from. They also have cabins available to rent. Book early because they book up quickly. They do offer RV sites with water and electric hookups as well as 2 group picnic sites available for reservation.

• Grapevine and Hickory offer picnic tables with vault toilets.
• Dogwood Campground has a children’s play ground and trout fishing. It also offers picnic tables. From there you can walk to a sandy beach area that has paddle boat rental and miniature golf.
• Elm Campground will be the closest to the riding stable if you love horseback riding.

The park also offers canoe, boat and kayak rental if you want to float down the river. If you plan on camping closer to the Broken Bow Lake you may want to check out the Blue Jay, Coyote, Hawk, Eagle and Dear campgrounds.

Barkcations Tip: pets are allowed on leash. There are also pet friendly accommodations.

Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge:

Photos Taken by: Roaming My Planet.

The Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a beautiful place to camp with so many places to explore. If you’re a wildlife lover like me the park is home to buffalo, elk, longhorn cattle and prairie dogs. Here you can go hiking, rock climbing, fishing, bird watching and more.

If you are interested in learning some great photography lesson while you are there check out the Wichita Mountains Photography Classes put on by the Wichita Mountain man himself. Explore hidden and unique locations often missed without the assistance of a knowledgeable guide. He will provide 2 or more hours of photographic instruction of the unique beauty within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge boundaries.

Doris Campground is the refuge’s developed camping option. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service camping page says all refuge camping requires a reservation and explains the separate youth-group and backcountry options. Check the current booking listing for site services and availability.

Even if you do not camp here, I recommend considering a day trip for wildlife watching and scenery. Check refuge rules for the activities you plan, and treat nearby Medicine Park as a separate stop.

Barkcations Tip: pets are allowed on leash.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area:

Chickasaw National Recreation Area near Sulphur was one of my favourite places to visit as a kid. There is plenty to explore around the area, from walks to spring-fed water features. For a fuller trip plan, see our things to do in Sulphur guide.

NPS lists six campgrounds, with different seasons and services. Check the official Chickasaw campground comparison; it currently lists an ongoing closure at Guy Sandy. The lake-area options below are only part of the full campground inventory.

• The Point: compare utility and non-utility sites and the facilities in each loop.
• Guy Sandy: currently listed by NPS as closed; do not plan around it without checking for an update.
• Buckhorn: services and booking arrangements vary by loop.

Barkcations Tip: pets are allowed on leash.

Ouachita National Forest

The Ouachita National Forest is a National Forest that lies in the western portion of Arkansas and portions of eastern Oklahoma. It offers over 352,000 acres of hiking trails, horseback riding trails, mountain biking trails, hang gliding, hunting, fishing and more.

There are 4 campgrounds that offer RV and tent camping:

• Winding Star – Offers 4 double and 23 single campsites. Flush toilets, showers and comfort station also offered.
• Billy Creek – offers 12 sites with a vault toilet, picnic table and a grill or fire pit.
• Cedar Lake – Offers both primitive and modern camping experiences.
• Cedar Lake Equestrian Campgrounds – Over 100 miles of horse trails with picnic tables, comfort stations, horse corrals, hitching posts, wash fracks and pavilions.

Barkcations Tip: pets are allowed on leash. Keep your pets safe when Camping In Oklahoma State Parks.

Robbers Cave State Park:

Robbers Cave State Park is a state park in Latimer County, Oklahoma. this is where I went to church camp every year as a kid and I had so many fun memories here. It has a ton of history here. Did you know that this is where famous outlaws like Jesse James and Belle Star used to hide out. ( we have a lot of outlaws in our family history but that’s another story for another day)

Robbers Cave State Park offers 22 RV sites with full hookups including sewer and 64 sites with electric and water. As far as activities goes, there are lots of places to hike including a small cave you can walk through. There is also an equestrian campground.

You can also rent cabins or even a yurt or you can pitch a tent in one of the 86 primitive campsites.

Barkcations Tip: pets are allowed on leash. Pets friendly cabins are offered but pets are not allowed at the lodge.

Black Mesa State Park & Nature Preserve:

Black Mesa ( the highest point in Oklahoma) is located in Oklahoma’s panhandle along the tri-state border with Colorado and New Mexico. It offers 25 tents and 29 RV sites that include water and electric hookups. You will also find picnic tables, a playground, showers, restrooms and a boat ramp.

If your into dark skies, this is the place for you. It’s one of the largest dark skies on publicly own land in the country and the best time to go is in August to see the stars. This is when the Perseid Meteor Shower is visible.

The Black Mesa Nature Preserve is only open from dawn to dusk. You want to allow 4-5 hours to hike to the top of the Mesa. There is no camping allowed in the actual preserve. Pleased be prepared for high temperatures in the Summer and bring plenty of sunscreen and water.

Barkcation Tip: Dogs are allowed in the park, nature preserve, and camp areas for no additional fee. Dogs must be leashed, under their owner’s control, and cleaned up after at all times.

Illinois River:

Located in Tahlequah, (northeastern Oklahoma) the Illinois River is a class 2 river that offer 60 miles of winding river with mild rapids perfect for renting a canoe, kayak or raft. there are several outfitters here that offer both rustic and scenic river campgrounds for both RVers and those wanting to tent camp.

Here you may be able to catch a glimpse of a red fox, deer or several bird species. If your planning a trip you should know that Memorial Day to Labor day is the busiest season. Don’t forget to pack your life jacket and plenty of sunscreen.

Barkcations Tip: pets are allowed on leash.

Boiling Springs State Park:

Boiling Springs State Park is a park built 6 miles northeast of Woodward, Oklahoma, USA. It was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It was named after it’s natural boiling springs. The park is full of wildlife and there is plenty of hiking in the area.

There are two campgrounds, Spring Hill and White Tail that offer 12 tent campsites and 40 RV hookups. There are 3 pavilions available with electrical outlets a cook grill and water.

If you love fishing, Shaul Lake is spring fed and there is also a swimming pool. there are 5 hiking trails and 18 hole golf course for campers to enjoy as well.

You can also rent cabins here as well. Barkcation Tip: Pets are allowed in the cabins for a small fee.

Sequoyah State Park & Fort Gibson

Sequoyah State Park, is a 2,200 acre peninsular recreation space on the eastern shore of Fort Gibson Lake in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Camping sites offer both RV and tent camping.

For an RV stay at Sequoyah, check the current booking map for the precise hookup combination and equipment length at your chosen site. Do not assume all sites within a named campground have the same services.

For tent camping you will want to use Choctaw, Creek and Paradise Cove campgrounds which have a boat ramp and showers. Paradise Cove is the closet to the boat ramp and Eagle Roost Trail.

There is an 18 hole golf course , a riding stable, a pool and a restaurant.

Barkcations Tip: Dogs are allowed on a leash but not at the lodge.

Greenleaf State Park:

Greenleaf State Park is located near Braggs, Oklahoma that houses Greenleaf Lake. The Park offers 16 cabins for rent with fully stocked kitchens and satellite tv, but you will need to bring your food.

Barkcation Tip: Pet’s are allowed in cabins for a small fee.

There are 50 amp electric and full RV hookups and you must reserve your spot online. This area also offers a fishing dock, pavillian, both enclosed and outdoor shelter and more. You can visit the office to get a wristband to use the 18 hole miniature golf and splash pad.

If you are pitching a tent, check out the following campgrounds: Lakeview, Eagles Nest, Trailhead Point and Gobbler Ridge.

Also available for use is the kid’s pond, discovery center, volleyball courts and basketball courts.

There is an 18-mile hiking trail that begins inside the park and weaves its way around Greenleaf lake and into the adjacent government land of Camp Gruber which also has a swinging bridge.

We hope these ideas help you plan your next Oklahoma camping trip. For current state-park operations and bookings, use the official Oklahoma state-parks directory. If you are choosing a colder-weather trip, read our winter RV preparation checklist and confirm seasonal services with the park.

Photos provided by: Oklahoma Tourism except for Wichita Mountains which were taken by Roaming My Planet.

Awesome Camping Supplies:

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• First Aid Kit
• Coleman Camping Cot
• Waterproof Solar Charger
• Hammocks
• Portable Fire Pits
• Expandable Smores Sticks
• Cast Iron Camping Tripod
• Pre Seasoned Cast Iron Dutch Oven
• Solar Lanterns
• Solar Generator

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We love sharing news and information that can be helpful as you plan to travel.

Before travelling, check current weather, road access, fire restrictions and the specific campground’s operating status. Planning from a current park page is more useful than relying on an old closure announcement.

 Check out these tips for an Oklahoma City Girlfriend’s Getaway. 

More Places to Visit in Oklahoma

• Beautiful Backpacking Trails in Oklahoma
• Things to Do in Hochatown OK
• Visit the Arbuckle Mountains and Turner Falls Oklahoma
• Your Complete Guide to Camping Robbers Cave
• Camping at Sequoyah National Park Oklahoma
• Great Salt Plains State Park: Your Complete Guide
• 9 Best RV Camping Sites in Oklahoma

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