Oklahoma is the heartland of America; with its wild landscapes, clear lakes and stunning mountains, the state is a camper’s dream. Here are the best campsites in Oklahoma.
With its rich history and sprawling landscapes, Oklahoma allows visitors to glimpse the nation’s past. From hiking, swimming and horseback riding to canoeing and white water rafting, it’s the perfect backdrop for your next camping adventure.
Around 300 days of sun yearly means Oklahoma offers something for everyone, whether you opt for the comfort of an RV or prefer to rough it in a tent. Before checking out our picks for the best campsites in Oklahoma, you should understand how to camp respectfully and sustainably. Here’s how.
Eco-Friendly Camping Tips
- Pay park entry fees: Prevent hefty fines and support the local ranger services in protecting and conserving the natural environment. Fees keep parks safe and amenities well-maintained.
- Camp in designated areas: Keep your impact to a minimum and preserve the space for future generations to enjoy.
- Respect flora and fauna: National parks and reserves exist to preserve and nurture our precious natural wonders, so interfering with or damaging local flora and fauna is an absolute no-no.
- Take out what you bring in: Take all garbage, waste and gear with you when departing any park or campground. Leaving no trace is the cornerstone of any camping experience and ensures our pristine national reserves remain that way.
- Pack organic food and natural body products: Packing organic food and natural body products like soaps and shampoo lowers the potential for chemicals and other pollutants to enter the ecosystem and end up pollution in the ocean.
- Bring snacks and meals: Take homemade meals and hiking snacks in your own containers to prevent plastic and paper waste. This also reduces the work required to clean your campsite before leaving, ensuring your location stays among the cleanest and best campsites in Oklahoma.
- Use reusable dishes and utensils: Disposable plastic or paper plates and utensils are entirely unnecessary, as many nifty camping meal kits and utensils are available. Failing that, taking along your kitchen dishes and utensils is far better than using disposable plastic products and leaving your trash behind.
#1. Best Campsites in Oklahoma: Beavers Bend State Park
Beavers Bend State Park is a popular camping spot and a shoo-in for our compilation of the best campsites in Oklahoma. Its 10 major campgrounds offer amenities to suit everyone, from hardcore campers to weekend explorers. The lush landscapes and waterways are a sight to behold and offer a laundry list of outdoor adventures. Perched on Lower Mountain Fork River at Beavers Bend, you can enjoy watching a misty river sunrise, picnic along the water’s edge, soak up the peace and quiet as you hike around Broken Bow Lake or drift gently downriver in a kayak or canoe.
Getting there: Beavers Bend State Park is located 8 miles north of Broken Bow on Hwy 259, then 4 miles east on Hwy 259A.
#2. Robbers Cave State Park
Once a hideout for infamous frontier outlaws like Jesse James and Belle Starr, Robbers Cave State Park offers a fascinating look at the past. This stunning park has plenty of camping options for all budgets and styles. Its 86 campsites might be considered a little rudimentary, but they provide convenient access to fantastic hiking trails.
The more central campgrounds of Deep Ford or Dogwood will likely be the first choice for most campers, but if you want to get away from the larger crowds, your efforts will be rewarded when you pitch your tent near the magnificent Lake Carlton or Lake Wayne Wallace.
Getting there: Robbers Cave State Park runs north and south along Highway 2, located 5 miles north of Wilburton. From Highway 2, turn south on Park Cabins Road and drive along the winding road past the Horseshoe Bend and Bobcat Tent Campgrounds to the park office.
#3. Greenleaf State Park: One of Oklahoma’s Best Campsites for Outdoor Activities
Another of the best campsites in Oklahoma has to be Greenleaf State Park. This park satisfies everyone from avid camping enthusiasts to vacationing families who like to camp more comfortably. Nestled near Greenleaf Lake, this popular vacation spot offers a natural beauty combined and a host of outdoor activities to entertain everybody. Swimming, hiking and stunning natural scenery are paired with playgrounds and even mini-golf to keep the kids busy, ensuring this campground lands on the list of best campsites in Oklahoma.
Popular places to set up camp include the well-maintained campsites at Trailhead Point, Lakeview, Eagle’s Nest and Gobbler Ridge.
Getting there: From I-40, Exit 287 (Gore/Webbers Falls), travel 6 miles following Hwy 100 to Hwy 10, then Hwy 10 N to park.
#4. Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Whether buffalo spotting, swimming, hiking or cycling, the Chickasaw National Recreation Area is one of Oklahoma’s most charming camping destinations. Home to rich mineral springs and sparkling creeks, hidden waterfalls and clear lakes are just waiting for campers to discover. Little Niagara is the ideal spot to swim and cool down after hiking, and fishing enthusiasts can try their luck on Lake of the Arbuckles.
The main attraction is the scenery, however, where keen-eyed visitors spot wildlife and learn more about the area’s unique flora and fauna at the Travertine Nature Center.
Getting there: Located 75 miles south of Oklahoma City and 140 miles north of Dallas/Ft. Worth, east of I-35 on Hwy 7. The park headquarters are located at 901 W 1st Street, Sulphur.
#5. Best Campsites in Oklahoma: Black Mesa State Park and Nature Preserve
Black Mesa State Park and Nature Reserve is yet another popular of Oklahoma’s best campsites, where visitors will be in awe of the vast Oklahoma plains. The campgrounds offer 25 sites for tents, 12 bunkhouses available for rent and 29 parking spots for RVs equipped with water and electrical connections. Once settled in, visitors can explore the local landscapes, relax at a picnic or grill, and even indulge in some in-season trout fishing.
Kids can enjoy the adjacent playground, and there are plenty of toilet and shower amenities where campers can freshen up after a long day of activities.
Getting there: Located 28 miles NW of Boise City on Hwy 325.
Read more:
- Wild Camping: A Beginner’s Guide to Free Camping in the US & Canada
- 20 Best Camping Tips for a Smoother Trip
- 8 Best Spots for Camping in Montana
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