Camping options near Altus, Oklahoma span elevations from 1,400 to 2,400 feet across western Oklahoma's varied terrain. Located approximately 150 miles southwest of Oklahoma City, Altus sits in a region characterized by granite mountains, prairie landscapes, and several reservoir lakes. Summer temperatures frequently exceed 100°F between June and September, with camping reservations typically required 3-6 months in advance for weekend stays.
What to Do
Hike Mount Scott: At 2,464 feet, this mountain in Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge offers a 3-mile roundtrip paved trail. One visitor at Camp Doris noted, "Drive up Mount Scott for beautiful views of neighboring Lake Lawtonka, and wonderful sunsets."
Explore prairie dog town: Located in the wildlife refuge about 5 miles from Doris Campground, this area lets you observe prairie dogs in their natural habitat. A camper mentioned, "We enjoyed driving over to Prairie Dog town and spending time laughing at their antics. Since our last visit, their area has really grown and continued to spread out."
Try water recreation: Lake activities are available at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area, including paddleboarding and kayaking rentals. "A nice beach and cordoned swim area, complete with restrooms and shower house(11a-7p)...lifeguards," reports one visitor who noted the recreation area also offers "watersport rentals: paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, pontoon boat."
What Campers Like
Well-maintained facilities: Quartz Mountain State Park provides clean camping areas with modern amenities. A recent visitor shared, "A well maintained park lots of shaded sites, picnic tables are the best. Views of the mountain are great. Bathhouse and toilets are new in most sites."
Dark skies for stargazing: The remote location and minimal light pollution create excellent conditions for astronomy. A camper at Doris Campground mentioned, "The night sky viewing was pretty good. I wish they would upgrade their lighting to be more dark sky friendly. This would be an great location for that."
Wildlife encounters: The Wichita Mountains area offers frequent animal sightings directly from campsites. According to a visitor at Camp Doris, "Deer & turkey were often strolling thru our campsite, undaunted by our presence," while another noted seeing "geese, fox, Coyotes, Buffalo, prairie dogs and rattle snakes."
What You Should Know
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds require advance planning, particularly during peak seasons. A visitor at Doris Campground advised, "Weekends at WMWR (Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge) are very popular beginning early in the camping season making it difficult to find open spots by Friday evening."
Water concerns: Several campgrounds have reported water quality issues. One camper warned, "Please note that at the time of this review there is NO potable water anywhere in the WMWR. An e.coli contamination in 2017 is still not resolved and any an all water is considered unsafe, including all streams and lakes. Bring in your own water, the closest store is at least 30 mins away."
Military training impacts: Campgrounds near Fort Sill may experience noise from exercises. A reviewer at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area shared, "Biggest con was absolutely no warning on their site that there is training going on all around the CG. If you have a Veteran with PTSD like I do prepare him/her that they shoot howitzer rounds at any given time."
Tips for Camping with Families
Consider Quartz Mountain for activities: This area offers multiple family-friendly recreation options. A visitor noted, "Would recommend anyone to go check it out. Take some cash they have peddle boats and kayaks you can rent and a little fun park with carnival type ride and water slides."
Plan for wildlife education: The refuge provides excellent opportunities for children to observe animals. A camper at Quartz Mountain Nature Park shared, "This park was turned back over to the state in 2020 and is exactly how I remembered it from the 80's... There are RV and tent Campgrounds, cabins, a very modern lodge with 96 rooms, group pavilions, and a dormitory."
Check glamping close to Altus, Oklahoma: For families wanting comfort, luxury tent options are available. A camper who stayed at a glamping site near Wichita Mountains wrote, "This park was a pleasant surprise. The hiking was splendid and much better than expected. The visitor center deserves at least an hour of time. Fabulous."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: At Doris Campground, specific loops offer better experiences. One RVer recommended, "I don't particularly like the sites on the inside of the loops. Water view sites are circled on the map. I would be happy with these. Best sites in Loop A: 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, 13, 15."
Convenient shopping access: When staying at Rocking A RV Park, you'll find easy access to supplies. A camper noted, "This RV park is right off the main thoroughfare, next to the local Walmart. There is even a path to the Walmart parking lot at the edge of the park," making it an ideal option for upscale glamping near Altus, Oklahoma with convenient resupply options.
