Cedar Lake in the Ouachita National Forest offers one of the most accessible glamping options near Big Cedar, Oklahoma. The surrounding pine forest sits at approximately 1,200 feet elevation, providing a cool retreat during summer months when temperatures typically range from 75-95°F. The area contains multiple campgrounds spread across the Ouachita Mountains that span both Oklahoma and Arkansas, with terrain characterized by steep ridges and valleys.
What to do
Fishing at Cedar Lake: The 86-acre lake provides year-round fishing opportunities. One visitor noted, "We brought our kayaks and had so much fun hitting the lake in the morning. It does get busy as the day goes on, especially in the summer on the weekends."
Hiking the Horsethief Springs Trail: This trail starts behind the dump station at Cedar Lake and offers flexible hiking options. "You can either hike a small couple mail loop or extend it to 14 miles. Be warned however that the trails can be overgrown in the late Summer/Fall as a recent fire cleared some of the trees on the trail," explained one camper.
Wildlife viewing: Multiple campgrounds provide opportunities to spot native wildlife. A visitor at Cedar Lake reported, "Saw a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes," highlighting the importance of being aware of your surroundings while exploring.
Visit the old fire tower: Located a few miles from Queen Wilhelmina State Park, this historical structure offers adventure for the daring. A reviewer mentioned, "A few miles down the road you can find an old fire tower which is interesting and can be accessed if you are daring."
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campers value the spacing and natural barriers between camping spots. At Cedar Lake, "The campsite spots themselves are pretty big in size and are separated by trees and bushes. Feels very private."
Quiet hours: Cedar Lake enforces quiet time after 10pm. One camper appreciated this policy, noting "This is nice because there aren't people partying all night long."
Mountain-top views: Queen Wilhelmina State Park sits atop Rich Mountain with panoramic vistas. A visitor observed, "Beautiful vistas everywhere. Visited during summer of 2020 COVID lockdown. Small compact campground next to lodge."
Water access: Several campgrounds feature direct lake or river access. At Boondockers Landing, one camper described it as "Nestled right beside the upper Mountain Fork river, this campground doesn't disappoint. Roomy, with large shade trees, cement pads and all services."
What you should know
Limited facilities at some sites: While main campgrounds have good amenities, more remote sites have fewer services. A Queen Wilhelmina visitor cautioned, "Limited activities for younger children, but we enjoyed the hiking trails."
Seasonal challenges: The area experiences distinct seasons affecting camping experiences. At Cedar Lake, a camper advised, "When we lived in Oklahoma we would camp out regularly in March, bring jackets and stuff to keep warm because it is still very chilly, but warm enough during the day for some nice hiking."
Campground layouts vary: Some campgrounds have less privacy than others. At Queen Wilhelmina State Park, one camper noted, "The campground for the most part is one single road with many camp spots on each side."
Limited tent camping at some parks: CMA Iron Mountain Cabins and Campground has good tent options but other parks have fewer. A motorcycle camper shared, "Camped here in a tent off my motorcycle. Site was awesome. Bathrooms and showers are spotless. The staff is extremely kind and helpful."
Tips for camping with families
Cedar Lake for kids: The combination of swimming, hiking and wildlife makes this a family favorite. A parent shared, "We completed this campout with another family and this is our favorite campout in Oklahoma. The large pines, the facilities and the hiking is wonderful."
Robbers Cave State Park activities: Robbers Cave State Park offers numerous family-friendly amenities. A visitor detailed, "There is a pool with two water slides and a splash zone, it is $5 dollars to enter for the entire day. My son also got to play miniature for the first time at the course located next to the pool."
Pack extra supplies: Due to remote locations, shopping options are limited. A Cedar Lake visitor advised, "Don't forget the ice, there's nothing close."
Consider campground location: At Robbers Cave, the park layout affects mobility. "The park is split in half by Hwy 2 with the east side of the park consisting of the RV campgrounds, cabins, and Belle Starr Lodge. The west side of the park includes Lake Carlton, the equestrian camps, swimming pool, miniature golf, and nature center."
Tips from RVers
Site selection for comfort: Different campgrounds offer varying levels of space and privacy. At Cedar Lake, an RVer mentioned, "Site 33 looks to be my fav," showing how experienced campers often identify preferred spots.
Hookup availability: Campgrounds vary in their utility offerings. At Shadow Mountain Campground, a visitor observed, "Sewer hook ups on almost every site and a lot of trees and well shaded area, but little tight place and not well leveled."
Leveling challenges: Some sites require additional preparation. Shadow Mountain was described as "not well leveled," which may require RVers to bring leveling blocks.
Campground access: Most area campgrounds can accommodate larger rigs. At Boondockers Landing, a visitor appreciated that it was "Roomy, with large shade trees, cement pads and all services. This is as near perfect as you can get!"
