Do you love the outdoors and horses? If you're looking for a rustic but comfortable experience, horse camping in Atoka is the way to go. Equestrian camping is an adventurous and unique way to experience the city. At The Dyrt, you can find top-rated spots for horse camping, as reviewed by campers.
Platter Flats Campground is located on Lake Texoma in Oklahoma's Cross Timbers Region. The lake is said to be the "Playground of the Southwest," where outdoor activities like fishing, boating, hiking and hunting abound.
Lake Texoma is a large reservoir with an excellent fishery and many access points. Boating, swimming, water skiing, hunting, birding and relaxing on the sandy beaches are the typical pursuits of most visitors. The lake is known as the "Striper Capital of the World," one of the few reservoirs in the nation where striped bass reproduce naturally. Other popular species include largemouth and smallmouth bass, white bass, hybrid striped bass, white crappie, black crappie, channel catfish and blue catfish. Also available is the scenic Cross Timbers hiking trail, a very popular trail that winds for 14 miles above the lake on rocky ledges and through blackjack woodland. Forty miles of equestrian trails surround the lake as well.
The campground is situated on the eastern side of Lake Texoma. Post and blackjack oaks forest the rolling hills of the region. Deer, turkeys, bobcats, hawks, waterfowl and songbirds are abundant around the lake.
The lake features two wildlife refuges, two state parks and 23 commercial concession areas dedicated to the enjoyment of over six million visitors annually.
$15 - $24 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Coffee Mill Campgrouns has 13 campsites and is open year-round. There is boat access to the 750 acre Coffee Mill Lake and a new fishing pier.
Lake Davy Crockett and non-motorized trails.
$10 / night
This location is available on a first-come, first-served basis only. Visitors are required to physically arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you may be able to pay for your campsite(s) by scanning a QR code using the Recreation.gov mobile app, and the Scan and Pay feature. If this option is available, you will need to first download the free Recreation.gov mobile app https://www.recreation.gov/mobile-app prior to your arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cellular service. Bois D'Arc Trailhead has 28 campsites with picnic tables. Bois D'Arc Trailhead also has a pailion with grill.
Lake Davy Crockett and Coffee Mill Lake
$10 / night
Journey to southeastern Oklahoma for a picturesque getaway at Sardis Lake, where Potato Hills Central Campground offers fresh-air campsites shaded by blackjack oak, post oak and pines.
The lake is a popular fishing destination, with some of Oklahoma's largest species of prize bass. Catfish, walleye and crappie also reside in the lake. Other water sports include jet skiing, swimming and canoeing; hiking is also a popular pastime.
The waters of Sardis Lake are sourced from Jackfork Creek, a tributary of the Kiamichi River. Surrounding terrain extends out into the rolling foothills of the Ouachita Mountains.
More than 8,000 acres of public land around Sardis lake is available for wildlife watching and hunting. Additional camping is also available at Potato Hills South Campground.
$20 - $150 / night
Guide
This is a nice campground on the shore of a small man made lake. The lake has a boat ramp and fishing pier. Some of the sites need minor repairs and the some disgusting person made a mess of the men's pit toilet but the a crew cleaned it in the morning. The campground has decent views of the stars especially looking north. The site I chose was close to the lake and relatively level.
Ranger
This is a review of scouting the area. Numerous sites to choose from, some pull thru, some back in. Water, tables, and fire pits at every site. Although the sites are close together there is plenty of space to spread out depending on how busy it is. Heavily shaded. Not sure how effective solar charging would be during summer months. We first scouted it on a Thursday, nobody was there. Pulled thru again a few days later and there were a number of hunters there. Plenty of space for big rigs. Pit toilets on sites, no trash. Would have stayed here, but opted for West Lake Crockett down the road due to stronger cell signal.
Legend
Amazing and Great for trail riding
Sites: 26 family with electric and water
35 equestrian with hookups
3 equestrian tent sites no hook ups
1 day use shelter with electric
Reservations only: 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov
No camp host Flush and pit toilets, showers, drinking water, trash, picnic table, dump station, boat ramp, dock
Great for horseback riding, fishing, hiking, fishing, hunting, and boating. Beautiful rolling hills with mature trees. Great shade especially in the equestrian area. Well maintained. Wonderful lake views with amazing sunsets.
LNT
BTYFI
Travel safe.
Traveler
Half of the campground is an equestrian camp. There are great hiking trails and beautiful views. Good shady spots.
We had two kids with us and we loved walking around the campground and seeing all the horses! But remember it will also smell like them so camp on that side at your own risk.
Also there was no attendant and we switched sites for the weekend with no issue 🤷♀️🤫
ScoutThe Campground is secluded in The Grassland National Forest.
Great bass fishing.
Very Quiet
ScoutPlatter Flats is usually quiet. It's been our favorite campsite for years because of this. We've always been able to find and open spot with a nice view.
GuideI grew up in the area, my family really loves it here. Nice and peaceful. We prefer the primitive area.
TravelerI really like the fact that we could boondock our camper with in reason of the table area. (side of the road) plenty of room to let the slide out.. Fishing was great on the bank. Bathrooms were not horrible.. and had toilet paper.. Loved the fact it had a fire pit. and a grill.. even a place to hang your lantern.. Was a great experience if you want better.. go to places that charge more than $6 a night.. Loved it.. will be going back again.. does have trails.. to explore.
GuideThe park hosts and volunteers are very friendly, responsive, and work hard with the resources available to them. They deserve 5 stars This 2 star review is on the park only.
This campground is one part regular campground, one part equestrian campground. Having horses is not a requirement to camp in the equestrian area and that is hany when the "regular" area is filled. The sites are pretty close together and the entire park feels packed together when it comes to camping space.
The facilities are extremely outdated but there are new bath/shower combos coming online very shortly in the equestrian section. In the meantime there are 2 shower stalls available for men and 2 for women in the entire camp. There are pit toilets in the equestrian area and only 1 flush toilet for men located in the "regular" area until the new ones come up in the equestrian area. Possibly only 2 for women available.
The worst thing was the traffic. People would drive to swim, fish, use the restroom, visit others in adjacent campsites or just cruise around with no aim from 8 AM to 10PM Thursday thru Sunday afternoon. The outer gates close at 10 PM but some drove around inside the park after that anyway. The equestrian camp area has dirt/gravel road and all the traffic creates a dusty environment. The Main road to the entrance which runs along the south side of the equestrian area also leads to the Platter Flats Recreation area which has no gates nor closing time so there is activity on the road all day and night.
There is a long equestrian trail that goes over to Lakeside Park across the lake that can also be hiked pretty easily that has a couple secluded spots to swim along the way. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. There are large map signs on each end of the trail and markers along the way.
I would not recommend visiting this park on a weekend unless traffic doesn't bother you. It should be noted there is a rail freight line and siding not far from the camp and once the vehicle traffic slows down, the trains seem to start. The train horns at crossings may be a bother to some.
GuideThe park hosts and volunteers are very friendly, responsive, and work hard with the resources available to them. They deserve 5 stars This 2 star review is on the park only.
This campground is one part regular campground, one part equestrian campground. Having horses is not a requirement to camp in the equestrian area and that is hany when the "regular" area is filled. The sites are pretty close together and the entire park feels packed together when it comes to camping space.
The facilities are extremely outdated but there are new bath/shower combos coming online very shortly in the equestrian section. In the meantime there are 2 shower stalls available for men and 2 for women in the entire camp. There are pit toilets in the equestrian area and only 1 flush toilet for men located in the "regular" area until the new ones come up in the equestrian area. Possibly only 2 for women available.
The worst thing was the traffic. People would drive to swim, fish, use the restroom, visit others in adjacent campsites or just cruise around with no aim from 8 AM to 10PM Thursday thru Sunday afternoon. The outer gates close at 10 PM but some drove around inside the park after that anyway. The equestrian camp area has dirt/gravel road and all the traffic creates a dusty environment. The Main road to the entrance which runs along the south side of the equestrian area also leads to the Platter Flats Recreation area which has no gates nor closing time so there is activity on the road all day and night.
There is a long equestrian trail that goes over to Lakeside Park across the lake that can also be hiked pretty easily that has a couple secluded spots to swim along the way. The trail is well marked and easy to follow. There are large map signs on each end of the trail and markers along the way.
I would not recommend visiting this park on a weekend unless traffic doesn't bother you. It should be noted there is a rail freight line and siding not far from the camp and once the vehicle traffic slows down, the trains seem to start. The train horns at crossings may be a bother to some.
LegendWe stayed here by happenstance. This campground isn't really near anything and is a 30 minute drive from even the smallest town so come prepared for all your needs. There is a vault toilet and the grounds weren't in terrible shape. This would be my choice for a campground in the National Grasslands. There is lake access here and you could tell that this is a equestrian meet up area. The camps pots weren't leveled and you just throw your tent wherever you want. We didn't have any neighbors so it was quiet. The spot we got had a fire ring and a table. This is basic no frills car camping here if you are interested. We didn't have time to research so we don't know if there are any trails or anything in this area as we couldn't find any.
GuideI am always pleasantly surprised with 'national' organizations' campgrounds. Whether a national forest or like this one, national grasslands, they are always pretty good, and this one is no exception. The campground is small, maybe 12 sites, vault toilets decently cleaned, and multiple water spigots. There was only one other camper, but there is access to the lake at this site with a few cars in the parking lot when we arrived, so you will see people even though it is secluded on the whole. We also saw a lot of horse riders. The sites have picnic tables, fire pits and are well spaced. You basically have your pick of sites so you can choose wooded areas or open without trees.
Rangergreat place for fishing, and if you are looking for a wonderful sunset, you have found the best place for it. generic campsite but close to the lake. great stay vacation if you are local or camping weekend with the kids
Oklahoma offers a variety of horse camping experiences, perfect for equestrian enthusiasts looking to explore the great outdoors with their horses.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Atoka, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Atoka, OK is Platter Flats with a 4-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Atoka, OK?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Atoka, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.
