Best Dispersed Camping near Big Cedar, OK

Recent Dispersed Reviews in Big Cedar

21 Reviews of 12 Big Cedar Campgrounds

• K

  Kaleb G.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 4, 2024

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  Great secluded spot

  Stayed here in early November the creek was dry but beautiful. We pulled of the highway and wend down deadman’s trail about halfway and pulled into a very secluded camping spot with a good amount of space with an established fire pit.

• J

  John H.

  Scout

  

  Nov. 1, 2024

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  Great, quiet location.

  My buddy and I read the other reviews and decided to give this site a go. Someone was camping at the main site just off the park road, and honestly, I’m glad they were there, otherwise we wouldn’t have found the great alternative spot. As the gentleman in the other review said, there ARE three alternative spots back North a little ways on the park road. As you pull off the little turn off just before (or after, depending on which way your going) the bridge of the creek, you’ll find the first spot. It’s nice with an established campfire ring, etc. further down (you definitely want a higher riding vehicle, no sedans down this road) about 40 yards maybe is the second site. This is a great little site as well, again with an established fire ring. Go another 40 ish yards and there is the end of the side ‘road’/stone path and you’ll find the site we stayed at.
  There is a great fire pit and a well established site. As was mentioned in the other review, there was some trash about, but we cleaned it up. If you go here, practice leave no trace. Don’t be a jerk. Even if you never meet another person who camps there, if everyone treats the site like garbage it will be no good for anyone in a short amount of time.
  We noticed that there wasn’t much wildlife about and guessed it was because the creek bed was bone dry and a bunch of smoke in the are might have made them leave (there were a few wildfires in SE Oklahoma when we visited). We’ll probably find another place next time for the sake of adventure, but I could see myself coming back someday.

• J

  John

  Traveler

  

  Sep. 28, 2024

  Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite

  Beautiful spot

  This spot I found already had a man built fire ring made from rocks. Small peaceful pond and is right off the Deadman South Trail.

• k

  ken H.

  Traveler

  

  Jul. 23, 2024

  Quachita NF Dispersed by Cedar Creek off 51220

  Quachita National Forest

  Right off of Forest road51220, large area to park and camp all by yourself. stream is 40 feet away with a swimming hole. Very private

• M

  MacKenzie D.

  Scout

  

  Jun. 9, 2024

  Pigeon Creek Dispersed

  No access

  We drove slowly back and forth along the road exactly where the coordinates lead us to but there is no vehicle access to the forest there. It’s completely overgrown

• 

  azul darcy L.

  Traveler

  

  May. 26, 2024

  Pigeon Creek Dispersed

  Would have been perfect

  The river and creek merging was so beautiful! It was a beautiful drive there. But whoever was there before me trashed it out. It’s sad.

• 

  Carlos P.

  Scout

  

  Mar. 18, 2024

  Blue Knob Road in Ouachita National Forest

  Its tight...but its 1500 feet

  I have a CDL and back stuff all day. Don't try to pull in. Back in off the Buck Mountain

• E

  Ernest W.

  Scout

  

  Feb. 13, 2024

  Mena Arkansas

  Brodys camp site

  Good secluded spot for Privacy

• 

  Jessie M.

  Scout

  

  Dec. 3, 2023

  Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed

  Could not find.

  Could not find. find. The grid cordinates lead to someones private cabin. Tucked in middles of residential cabin colmunity. It is national forest borders but private lots.

• H

  Heather C.

  Traveler

  

  Nov. 29, 2023

  Blue Knob Road in Ouachita National Forest

  Solitude

  I have a 30ft Class C which is probably the largest vehicle you would want to drive down the dirt road to this site. There is a clearing near the Ouachita Trail with a fire pit and plenty of space to park. You're in the middle of nowhere and it's gorgeous!

• 

  Jeanne A.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 25, 2022

  Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed

  Forgot somethings

  Stayed 5 days in all. Att service good. The creek is just to the east of camp spot. Most camp spots you have your own driveway and large spot. Adjacent spots probably a mile apart

• 

  Jeanne A.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 25, 2022

  Ouachita NF - CR 51220 Dispersed

  Great spot!

  We were her two days and loved it. Then we found the creek just east of us off a small trail. Just start walking right into the woods and you’ll find it. Many camps here some small some large. Some full sun some full shade!

• 

  Jessica W.

  Guide

  

  Nov. 16, 2021

  Pigeon Creek Dispersed

  Just what I was looking for.

  The road in was a little bumpy take it slow and you’ll be fine. Just on the right is a clearing you can’t miss next to the Kiamichi River along side pigeon creek. You’re surrounded by trees, moss and running blue mountain spring water. What’s not to love? The terrain is rocky so use a thick mat or hammock but you will love it.

• 

  Kellie M.

  Scout

  

  Oct. 3, 2021

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  Great place!

  Had a great time. Beautiful scenery

• 

  Larry B.

  Traveler

  

  Aug. 28, 2021

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  Small site

  Used the direction provided by this app and Google maps. If this is the site it's small. Could possibly get 3 small pickup trucks side by side in this spot. if you don't need a big area then this would be a nice place.

• C

  Charles

  Traveler

  

  Mar. 20, 2021

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  Great place to treat right

  Great spot. As most have said the main site that this link takes you to is up hill some ways from a creek that runs quite a way through the area snaking around and getting to various fill levels depending on recent weather. It also has great spots to see while hiking around. I've been here twice and loved both times. This second time I discovered there are it seems at least 2-3 more, seemingly established, campsites here. The ones that are not given here are along the same main road but along a separate turn off (IT IS NOT MARKED PRIVATE though there is private property marked in the area) that looks more suited for 4 wheel drive or at least something sitting higher than my small car. The furthest of these is essentially on the other side of the creek down from the main site. I can't speak to how nice they are to stay at but I imagine they are nice enough given how nice the main one is. I did walk through 2 and they didn't look bad as I walked through (the 3rd was occupied so I didn't get a look there just saw a person caming). All and all this place is great and I highly recommend. Just please don't take rocks and set up your own fire ring. The main has 2 already and the others all seem to have one. PLEASE PRACTICE LNT!!!

• S

  Steven A.

  Traveler

  

  Dec. 8, 2020

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  Perfect for all

  First time in the Ouachita national forest and we found a most excellent spot next to Lillard Creek off of 6010 Deadmans trail Rd. Would recommend a 4wd vehicle. There’s a short rock trail to go up to reach the campsite, also too narrow for my Tundra. Enough space for a family or if your going on a solo camp. Done hanging out at camp? There’s an awesome trail a little north of camp called Boardstand trail, take it east and you you can follow it to 8554 Red Bank, follow it south to Ouachita Trail, then follow it west until you reach Talimena Scenic drive, then you can walk along side the road to the Scenic view of where you were just hiking and bask in its glory! Next you’ll run up on 6010 deadman’s gap trail road again. Take it back down to your camp! Your back! It’s a good 6 mile hike that will get your heart going. Steep hills, beautiful waterways, gorgeous mountains! Nothing better! The creek water runs all the time so no need for your forest noise making machine. All the sounds you’ll need are by the fire and the Lillard Creek. It was a blast! Get out there and breath the fresh air! Peace and Love, Seth Armes

• 

  West River J.

  Guide

  

  Oct. 19, 2020

  Potato Hill Vista - Dispersed Camping

  Right off the highway and right off the Ouchita Trail

  If you're near the end (heading west) or got a late start heading east, detour north towards Potato Hill Vista for a flat area with a stone fire ring near Highway 88/1. You can throw down your tent here for the night. The side trail even leads to a parking lot off the highway if you're driving and want a place to camp or want someone to pick you up a few miles closer than Talimena State park.

• 

  Ryin J.

  Guide

  

  Sep. 21, 2020

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  A Great Dispersed Camp in Ouachita

  We were skeptical on this spot’s location, but it was very easy to locate (the road in/out has some tough spots, 4WD would be preferred). We camped 9/19/2020 and the spot was great. The previous visitors had left the spot a mess with beer cans and food wrappers (clean up after yourselves, folks!), but after clean-up it was the perfect spot. A small running creek lies at the bottom of a short downhill hike. Our closest neighbors were at least 300 yards away and we only knew they were there because we had hiked away from our camp and noticed their fire. Highly recommend this spot for anyone willing to be 100% off-grid (no cell service or nearby bathrooms). Be weary of the spiders (daddy long legs) and stick bugs everywhere! Harmless but creeped out the young one.

• R

  Rudy D.

  Scout

  

  Sep. 8, 2020

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  Nice spots for car camping

  Looked like there were four or five openings for a car or tent. I was the only one on the road the Friday night before Labor Day.

  Also looks like there is a trail that starts at the road and connects to the Ouachita trail. I drove down to the state park about ten minutes away but saw it marked on the trail map while hiking.

• 

  Daniel S.

  Traveler

  

  Jun. 8, 2020

  Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

  Solid Dispersed Campsite

  Pretty great dispersed campsite. If you're not familiar with dispersed camping, PLEASE research it before going. Completely undeveloped other than fire ring. Plenty of flat clear space for tents but we used hammocks, and plenty of trees were available for that. Campsite is right off the forest road and a few miles off the paved road. Surrounded by mature pine trees. There is a creek with a pool maybe 100 yards downhill from the campsite, great for cooling off on a hot summer day or filtering water.