Camping cabins near Arcadia, Oklahoma offer access to more than 3,000 acres of public lands with numerous recreation opportunities. The region's mixed forest ecosystem supports diverse wildlife including white-tailed deer and great blue herons that campers frequently spot near the water's edge. Facilities around Arcadia Lake maintain seasonal operations with limited winter services at most locations, though some cabin accommodations remain available year-round.
What to do
Fishing from shore: Lake McMurtry West Campground provides excellent bank fishing opportunities for multiple species. "Heard/saw fish hitting the water often" reports one visitor who appreciated the "nice primitive campsite with water access" and noted the "bottom is sandy" for easy shore access.
Trail exploration: Trails range from beginner-friendly to more challenging routes at Lake Carl Blackwell. "Lake Carl Blackwell has plenty of multi-use trails however, there is no of trail camping. These results are for day hikes only. Great for kids and getting them started in hiking or as a training ground for longer hikes," explains one regular visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The rustic cabin setting at Rockwell RV Park includes a unique wildlife attraction. "They have live buffalo, too!" notes one camper, while another mentions, "The kids loved the 7 baby Buffalo on the property." The buffalo enclosure provides an unexpected wildlife viewing opportunity when staying in the area's cabin accommodations.
What campers like
Lake proximity: Cabin rentals at Arcadia Lake provide easy water access. "Great campsite! Picnic tables and fire pits. Walking distance to the beautiful lake. Fairly private site lots of trees between each. Plenty of sites to choose from water front or in the woods," reports one visitor who appreciated the location options.
Quiet atmosphere: Many cabins offer peaceful settings away from highway noise. "Once you get to the campground, it is peaceful with no traffic noise, light pollution or other distractions. The view of the lake is fantastic and it's easy to relax here," notes a visitor at Lake McMurtry West Campground.
Clean facilities: Oklahoma City East KOA maintains high standards for their cabin rentals. "Nice cabins with 1/2 bath and TV's. Large bathhouses and nice clean showers. Large camp store," comments one visitor. Another adds, "The bathrooms were nice and clean, individual rooms with toilet, sink and shower in each."
What you should know
Reservation timeline: Book cabin accommodations well in advance during peak seasons. Lake McMurtry West Campground fills quickly. "The only other con is it is hard to get reservation. They have a very nice online reservation system, but the campsites fill up quickly and pretty far out date wise."
Access considerations: Some cabin locations require navigating unpaved roads. "The road access to this campground is probably the worst that I have experienced. I don't know if it is an Oklahoma thing or I just happened to be at the wrong place at the wrong time, but the last several miles to this campground are incredibly rough."
Cabin amenities variation: Accommodations range from basic to fully-equipped. "Neat and clean park. Water was brown, but we have a Berkey filter, so it wasn't a problem for us. I wouldn't be happy if we didn't have the Berkey, and weren't still winterized. Use your inline filters here!" advises a visitor to Oklahoma City East KOA.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cedar Crest RV park offers family-friendly amenities near their cabin rentals. "Beautiful park surrounded by magnificent cedar trees and a fishing pond. Showers and laundry are well kept. They have a cute little General Store with vending and items to buy."
Proximity to city activities: Cabin rentals provide access to both nature and urban attractions. "We have taken our family to Arcadia many times to camp. While it's close to the city, it feels far away. Lake activities and hiking are available," notes one regular visitor.
Storm shelters: Several cabin locations provide severe weather safety. "They are well lit, have a tornado shelter and are near a multitude of stores and restaurants," reports a Rockwell RV Park visitor, an important consideration when camping with children in this tornado-prone region.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: Cabin areas at most campgrounds have limited privacy between sites. "The space between campsites is significantly less than I would prefer but manageable. The maneuvering space needed to back a large trailer is more than sufficient," reports a Lake McMurtry West Campground visitor.
Long-term options: Some cabin and RV locations cater to extended stays. "Rockwell RV park was a nice, quiet, and clean stop for us along our route home," notes one visitor. Another reviewer adds, "The park has it all! Even buffalo! Indoor pool. Nice showers, laundry room, clean bathrooms. Coffee and muffins free in the morning!"
Seasonal considerations: Winter cabin options remain available when RV sites may have limited services. "My husband and I rented a little cabin for an anniversary getaway. We went in January, so there were no crowds," reports a Lake Carl Blackwell visitor, highlighting the benefit of off-season cabin rentals.
