Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Bethel, OK

This place is a beautifull forested remote area and you have to drive over 4.5 miles to get to the campsite, its a two lane dirt road, lookout for deer and other critters crossing. We stayed at the walk in campsites, they have those and a few where you can park next to your site, don’t expect very much privacy, you can’t make reservations, they are all first come first serve and you pay at your site. All are tent only. we stayed at #20 with a short walk from the parking area but a little bit too close to #21, 18 and 19 seem to be the ones with more privacy. We did have a nice shaded site with a fire ring, a barbecue grill, a picnic table and nice surface for your tent. the camping area is just a short walk to the sandbar where you can enjoy the cool floating water. The bathrooms are adequate but no running water, therefore don’t expect showers. We camped with our dog Lulu, the sites are pet friendly and she had fun in the water too. There is an abundance of wild life, keep an eye for snakes and thicks!

We learned about this campground through the owners activities with Veterans. We stayed for 7 days and we were able to have totally relaxed days as well as very active days. Right next to the river for kayaking, canoeing or just relaxing. Off-road vehicle trails a petting zoo on site. Check the web site for activities, there may be live music or a large gathering scheduled which may or may not be your thing. The only reason I rated it 4 stars is that it’s a work in progress. New cabins were being added and more trails were being cut while we were there.

When it comes to Oklahoma one location which continually is brought up is Broken Bow, OK where you can find a great escape from the DFW area or a retreat from your own location which is like no other. Offering a paradise of water activities for summer, cozy cabins for winter and a vast array of amenities for any taste you can find something within this park on pretty much any budget.

**Campground Review **

I visited Beavers Bend State Park and took a moment to explore the accommodation options and WOW oh WOW!! From primitive tent locations to full hook ups and cabins outfitted in a variety of styles and sizes there truly is something for everyone at this park. You can find sites located on the waters edge for quick boat launching or further removed for forrest and trail access. 

During the wet season there is a waterfall which rests at the end of a scenic hike, during summer various locations rent everything from paddle boards to kayaks and there is an abundant supply of fishing equipment which can be found for those wanting to try their hand at fly or rod and reel fishing.

 When I visited mid week during early summer the park was filled with life yet did not seem crowded. A small half way stop where a private owner offers horseback riding, train rides and affordable shopping was buzzing with a filled parking lot. The swimming beach was filled with those wanting to have a little fun in the sun. The visitor center was bustling. Yet even with all these areas seeming very lively, the park itself is large enough where I never felt overwhelmed by the people around me. There were still plenty of quiet moments to be had in areas which seemed very remote, despite being no oh so far away from these populous areas. 

The real feature of this park is by far the water! If you can follow the water you can see how amazing this area of Oklahoma truly is. Around this area the trees thrive and area green and beautiful. You find that even through the world around this section of land is flat, the world opens up when you arrive and you are met with hills and low laying mountains. It is unique in its location to say the least. I found that the primitive campgrounds as well as improved campgrounds were very shaded and each came equipped with a picnic table, fire ring and lantern hook. The main differences in the sites other than the obvious electricity were in the restrooms. Restrooms near improved campgrounds were much larger and nicer, they included flush toilets and showers unlike the vault style toilets of the primitive sites. 

When booking online during peak season there is a 2 night minimum required currently on weekends. On holiday weekends during peak season you must reserve for 3 nights when it comes to cabins. For campsites there is no requirement. I did notices however that many of the campsites are on a first come first serve basis and after speaking to several park employees during peak season the grounds fill up quickly as of Thursday evening for the upcoming weekend. You will want to get there as early as possible especially to secure an improved campsite. 

Prices are very reasonable for tent and RV patrons at only$12 for a primitive site and$20 for an improved location. Pets are allowed in these areas however if you choose to bring your pet to stay in a cabin there is a pet fee.

**TIPS: **

• Plan ahead and stop in Broken Bow for supplies. While Hochatown is also close by the prices in that community are much higher than in the main city of Broken Bow. 
• Take time to stop at the visitor center and nature center area they are worth it because of the rich history of the area which are made visible through the museum.
•  If you are renting a watercraft check out the stop closest to the swimming beach. They have miniature golf for the family and also the best selection of options including paddle boats, kayaks, canoes and paddle boards.

**Product Review **

When checking out new locations many times I get the opportunity thanks to the Dyrt to test out products on my adventures. For this fun filled day in the sun I was able to check out the Stream2Sea Face& Body Sunscreen in the 1 oz Travel Size. 

This product is perfect for a person on the go and has just enough to reapply several times throughout the day to keep you safe and protected from the UVA and UVB rays. The product itself is mineral based and does not appear sticky or tacky on the skin once applied. Although I will say it does take a little while to fully absorb which can leave you appearing a little more ghostly until it does. With this being said, this also makes it very easy to know where the sunscreen has been applied and where you might have missed a spot. 

The sunscreen is water-resistant which is perfect for a location such as Beavers Bend State Park where you will likely be in and out of the water in a multitude of ways. The product is unscented so it will not attract mosquitoes. I think this aspect is potentially one of the best qualities of this particular sunscreen because it allows you to have fun and adventure without worrying about the unpleasant feasting which bugs often do when they area attracted to sunscreens which have fruity or floral fragrances. 

When I wore the product I truly did test it to the max on my fair skin. I reapplied every 80 minutes per instruction and then decided that I would skip my last application to see if it continues to work. I did learn they make these directions for a reason so follow instructions for application and do not miss reapplication times.**TIPS: **

• Apply before you get in the water by at least 5 minutes to allow your base layer to fully absorb. 
• Follow the schedule for reapplication relatively close to the 80 minute mark.
• This is a body and face product and works well on either so do not forget the face!!

Every so often my family and I will venture into Oklahoma to do some camping and hiking. About 5 years ago we came to Kiamichi Park and enjoyed our time there. There is a lot of grass area which was nice because we love to play KOOB and throw the freesbie for our dog. There is also a lake nearby called Hugo Lake which was amazing because we went to the lake to cool off, and our dog enjoyed swimming. People were fishing in the lake as well, and kayaking too. The kayaking looked like a blast. We looked for places nearby to rent, but couldnt find any. If you have your own I would recommend bringing one because the lake is gorgeous. We also enjoyed biking on the trail, running, and hiking. There is a boat ramp next to the lake as well. We also saw people horseback riding on the trails. There honestly was so much stuff do it! We loved it and stayed super busy.

The campground is small with limited pads. Each site is close to the next and are generally occupied with RVs or camper trailers. I would suggest that this campground is most appropriate for the camper who prefers a more modern feel. There is ample cell phone service, WiFi is nearby, facilities are clean and modern. It is approximately a 15 minute drive into Mena, AR where you can find significant shopping. The campground is also near a large hotel. There are many hiking and mountain bike trails available in the area. A few miles down the road you can find an old fire tower which is interesting and can be accessed if you are daring. This area is dog friendly, dogs can access the trails as well. There are also some very neat driving trails, the bypass is a popular destination for motorcyclists which can offer some noise during the day. The park is also approximately a mile from the Oklahoma state line. This is a nice area for the avid cyclist, hiker, and motorcyslist.

The campground is tricky to locate, I would recommend familiarizing yourself with the directions especially if you are arriving after dark. There are several miles of driving on a gravel forest road between the main highway and the campgrounds.

The campsites are relatively private, we pretty much had the campground to ourselves until after the first night. A very large family arrived and decided that the best campsite available was immediately next to us. Had it been full this wouldn't have been irritating, but there were more than a dozen other sites to choose.

Each campsite has a picnic table and a fire pit, there are toilets available but no showers and phone signal is sparse. River access is within a very quick walk, this section of the river is very calm. Overall the campground is isolated. Its about a fifteen minute drive to the park headquarters, popular trails, and other activities. The park is dog friendly, the surrounding trails are accessible for dogs.

Many flock to Broken Bow for their cabins and beautiful outdoor spaces.   What better way to take advantage of those spaces than with a trip to Carson Creek!!   

Carson Creek is a bit removed from the State Park access points and with that comes a unique charm which is fun for the family without quite the large crowds which sometimes can bottleneck into the State Parks.    

There are three camping areas at Carson Creek, referred to as Quail, Turkey and Hawk.   Both Quail and Turkey allow you to set up in an RV for $16 while Hawk is designed for primitive camping and is only $8. The sites cannot be reserved so much like other portions of the lake I do recommend arriving early on weekends during warmer months.  

The camp offers great amenities for those camping here including standards such as fire rings and picnic tables and access to restrooms.    Additionally they do have community style events at the campground which are nice for those visiting.

My favorite point of this campground was the access to the water.   From the shore you can easily fish, swim or put a small boat in the water to explore.    

The town of Hoochatown is just a short drive from this campsite and has everything you will need for supplies as well as some very fun and unique attractions to even further your experience.   I spent an entire afternoon at the Hoochatown Petting Zoo enjoying the wildlife which includes a variety of species you won't find just everywhere.     

A great way to spend a day, a weekend of a week away with a bit less crowds.