$3 - $14 / night

Camper submitted image from Winding Stair Campground - 1

Camper submitted image from Winding Stair Campground - 2

Nature

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Roads

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Signs & Maps

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Facilities

Established Camping

Winding Stair Campground

10 Reviews

About

National Forest

Visitors enjoy the peaceful setting of this campground located within three miles of several trail systems, including Horsethief and Billy Creek Trails. The Mountain-top Trail has a one-mile loop and a two-mile loop adjacent to the campground. The 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes the campground as it extends from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas. This campground is one of many attractions along the Talimena Scenic Byway, a 54-mile highway winding along the crests of Winding Stair and Rich Mountains. Emerald Vista, north of this campground, boasts a birds-eye view of the Ouachita National Forest from atop the Scenic Byway. Picnic tables are available. A backpacker’s camp, located about 300 feet west of the main campground, is open year-round. Facilities include five tent pads, table, fire ring, lantern poles and pit toilet.

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Location

Winding Stair Campground is located in Oklahoma

Directions

From Hodgen, OK, take US Rt. 270 south 10.5 miles to US Rt. 259. Turn right onto Rt. 259 and go 4.3 miles to Talimena Drive sign (State Rt. 1). Turn right onto Talimena Dr. and proceed to stop sign. Turn right onto State Rt. 1 (Talimena Drive) and go 2 miles to Winding Stair campground sign. Turn right at sign and proceed into campground.

Coordinates

34.71396344 N
94.67776382 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Poor
AT&T
Fair
T-Mobile
Available

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites

$3 - $14

/ night

For information regarding reservations, contact this campground directly.

First Come - First Served

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Contact

General Info

Jon D.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 13, 2024

I did not stay here, just passing through.

I did not stay at this campground (I was driving the scenic byway), but I stopped for "scouting purposes". It seems very nice, the vault toilet was locked? But otherwise, a well kept dry campground with many sites and good views. Also, the pricing on here is incorrect; USFS website says $8/night for singles, $14/night for doubles (can't beat those prices honestly). Will stay if I pass this way again!

Month of VisitOctober

Rachel H.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 29, 2022

Super safe and beautiful

The site felt really safe for me as a first time solo camper, and the scenery was beautiful. Really clean trash and litter wise, but dang…those bathrooms 😬 Still, it was a really great experience and an absolutely gorgeous setting!

Site#9

Month of VisitNovember

Ben M.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2021

Decent place for people set up to dry camp

The campground is very peaceful, only two other campers On a Thursday in the middle of June. There used to be places to get water but they are turned offIt really looks like there is very little maintenance. There are pit toilets But that is it. It is a very peaceful place but lacking in amenities

Site16

Month of VisitJuly

Crystal C.

Legend

Reviewed May. 30, 2021

Views for days!!

Driving from Mena to Talihina along this stretch of highway is a treat when it comes to the spectacular views. But stopping at places like this campground even further explain just how much of an amazing place this part of Oklahoma really is! This area was once logged to the point that it was basically worthless before the Forest Service took it over and started to replenish the land and create public spaces like this campground. It now is a thriving place for recreation and viewing.

The campground is a series of pull ins and thru sites which vary in size allowing for tent camping with single cars or even some larger rigs. There are vault toilets centrally located at the entrance in addition to extra picnic tables for those wanting a little extra space to enjoy.

A few spigots are around camp that are not in the best of shape, but they do still work, so don't be fooled.

The roadways through camp and the sites themselves are very well taken care of, however because of recent rains the grass was a bit more wooly than it typically would have been. Despite this the sites were still clear of grass for the most part.

Each site was equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, lantern hooks, grills and prep stations and large spaces for tents, should you have one. Additionally you can find trash cans around camp in a few places.

From the campground you can easily access the scenic point which additionally has more picnic tables with a view, definitely suggest checking it out!!

Campground is first come first serve and does have a senior discount with the park pass. Envelopes are provided at the main kiosk.

(12) View All

Neil T.

Legend

Reviewed Mar. 3, 2021

Tucked up in the mountains

If you plopped me into this camp I wouldn’t have guessed I was in Oklahoma.

Just a bit off the beautiful Talimena Drive, it is well shaded, close to spectacular overlooks and lots of hiking options around.

Ouachita Trail access and other options available.

23 sites to pick from and there are a variety to choose from. Some pull-through, some smaller. All appeared to have tables and grills.

Neatly kept and peaceful.

I had Verizon service, but bring what you need - it’s a long way to town.

It had bear caution signs, so be advised.

(14) View All

Jesse H.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 27, 2020

Excellent Camping

Of the 23 campsites, we choose #1. A single campsite that we doubled up in. One of our group of 4 arrived early last Friday morning and our campers all were there by 5pm. We had enough room four 3 vehicles and one trailer. It was pretty foggy for the entire trip so I am sure that the Emerald Vista view would have offered a bit of wow, but nevertheless we found time to enjoy our company.

On Saturday we found ourselves on the 2.5 mile Mountain Trail Loop. The beautiful hike heads out of the camp, around the mountain to a rocky vista which probably has a cool view (again...foggy) and then back on the opposite side of the highway (which is almost always in earshot from the trail but not intrusive) to the campsite. From both the turnback point, and the beginning of the trail are opportunities to hope on the much larger Ouachita Trail.

Back to the campsite. A circular campsite with 2 human dropping stations. I didn't see any water, but we never looked. Almost every type of camper type was there, from RVs down to single tents. The high temp for the weekend was about 56 and the place was packed solid.

Payment is via a pay station as you come in. The ranger will come around in the morning some time and check your stubs. We paid $8 per night for a single camp site.

Site1

Month of VisitNovember

ShaneB

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 3, 2020

One of the best in Oklahoma

A great campsite, one of the best in Oklahoma in fact. some sites are large enough for small trailers. But with no electric or water hookups at the sites (there is community water) they are limited to “the right folks ;)” Tent camping is fantastic too of course. Even better. It’s a no reservations campground which is nice but be prepared to dispersed camp in the National Forest if needed on popular weekends. The fall color is stunning. Campfire rings, grills and tables at each campsite. Standard NFS fair.

The trails are what really shines here. The Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes by the camp and ties you into hundreds of miles of adventure.

During the summer the trail can be a little hard to follow. Fall too if the leaf fall is heavy. But watch for blue blazes on the trees and you are good. A great set of volunteers keep this trail system in great shape!

If interested in the entire trail, Ike even just an overnight there is a great guidebook out there by Tim Ernst. Super details with great mileage records and maps.

Lots of 4wd fun around too if you look in the right place!

This is a hands down favorite in the late spring and mid fall. Check it out for sure!

(12) View All

Lauren M.

Traveler

Reviewed May. 16, 2019

INCREDIBLE

A must visit! Stunning views of pines and mountains. No reservations, fire rings and picnic tables on every site. A couple trails within walking distance. No firewood or ice available to purchase on site.

Katie K.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 17, 2016

Winding Stair Backpacking

My boyfriend and I took our first backpacking trip in the Ouachitas, and stayed at this campground. We absolutely LOVED it. The views are spectacular, lots of wildlife, all the wildflowers were blooming, and it was so quiet. The stars were amazing. No complaints, would do it all over again if we still lived there.

Just make sure if you do go camping, get out on some trails. You won't regret it.

(7) View All

Kelly Z.

Ranger

Reviewed Jun. 24, 2016

Really Great Campground

This is a beautiful place to camp along the Talimena drive. You are up on top of the Ouachita Mountains and there are beautiful views. This campground was very quiet when we stayed, not a lot of people were here. There is a restroom at this campground. Lots of great hiking nearby.