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Best Tent Camping near Duncan, OK

251 Reviews

Tent camping opportunities near Duncan, Oklahoma include several primitive and established options with varying amenities. Waurika Primitive Camping offers free dispersed camping with a 14-day stay limit in a natural setting near Waurika Lake. Other options include Chandler Creek Campground at Lake Ellsworth City Park and Honey Creek Campground, both within reasonable driving distance from Duncan.

Road conditions at these campgrounds can present challenges, particularly after rain. At Waurika Primitive Camping, the dirt and gravel access road features significant ruts and holes that require careful navigation, especially for vehicles without high clearance. Most tent sites in the area lack formal improvements and typically feature natural surfaces rather than designated tent pads. Fire rings are available at several locations, including Waurika Primitive Camping, though fire restrictions may apply seasonally. Campers should be prepared for self-sufficient camping as drinking water is not available at most sites, and toilet facilities are either non-existent or primitive vault toilets.

The lake access at Waurika Primitive Camping provides opportunities for kayaking, fishing, and wildlife observation, though the beach area tends to be muddy rather than sandy. Sites generally offer open areas with minimal shade. Guy Sandy Campground at Chickasaw National Recreation Area provides a more developed alternative with grassy tent pads, picnic tables, and vault toilets for $14 per night. One camper noted, "There are some rock fire rings and nice open areas that are mowed so no tall weeds. There is a great area to put the kayaks in and enjoy the lake." Weekend crowding can be an issue at popular sites, particularly during summer months, making weekday visits preferable for those seeking solitude in backcountry tent sites.

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Best Tent Sites Near Duncan, Oklahoma (5)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Duncan, OK

251 Reviews of 5 Duncan Campgrounds

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2018

    Guy Sandy Campground — Chickasaw National Recreation Area

    Nice Campsite On Busy Boating Area

    Of the campgrounds around the water, this one is perhaps one of the more busy. When visiting we noted numerous boat trailers just waiting for their owners to return to them. Despite it being so busy it was pretty quiet as a whole. Lots of trees around this location make for plenty of shade during warmer months and sites are large enough to easily accommodate rigs of all sizes or tent campers.

    Sites are well priced at $14 which wasn't bad considering how the campground was set up. Despite it being a primitive camp and only having vault toilets it was surprisingly comfortable feeling and does have water spigots around. It is also one of the smaller campgrounds at the Lake of the Arbuckles so during summer it can fill up quickly.

    The site I checked out here had a picnic table and fire ring and was fairly even. There was a nice grassy pad which was ideal for tent camping like I enjoy.

    I lot of people, as I mentioned before, take advantage of the lake from this campsite area so it is pretty noisy during the day at some of the sites and getting in the water can be a bit hard when its super busy because the boats really kick up the waves and there is no designated swimming area, however a bit further away it wasn't to bad. Nighttime, pretty quiet.

    TIPS:

    • These sites are not reservable so it is first come first serve. Arrive early during busy times of year to ensure your space.

    • If you have a boat, make sure your registrations are cleared by the State of Oklahoma before entering the water, this site is a very active site for game wardens to inspect so if you are hauling anything which does not fit guidelines to the water, you might want to reconsider doing so here.

  • Megan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 5, 2021

    Buckhorn Campground Loop C — Chickasaw National Recreation Area

    Pretty, Wooded Site

    We stayed here in loop D for one night in mid-December. There were only 2 other groups when we arrived to set up camp, but another 10-12 groups had come through by the time we were finished. Our site still had a lot of privacy and plenty of room to gather wood and explore. We did have to pick up some trash before we set up camp. Our pad had a table, a fire ring with a grill grate, and a lantern pole.

    The restrooms were down the road a bit, but still fairly close. They were large, clean, and well stocked.

  • Mandy K.
    Oct. 11, 2017

    Rock Creek Campground — Chickasaw National Recreation Area

    Scouting Outing

    We visited Rock Creek on a Girl Scout family camp outing. The area is nice--lots of tree cover, which is essential in OK's hot summers and early falls. You are able to scavenge your own firewood and kindling; however, there are places in town to purchase.

    The restrooms are clean, and the campgrounds are mostly clean. Leave no trace, y'all! Pack in, pack out! There are extremely convenient trash and recycling bins throughout the area and campgrounds. This is probably an issue because the area is large, with a lot of traffic, and not enough rangers (read: babysitters) to clean up after all the bodies coming in and out.

    Rock Creek isn't as close to Little Niagara and the Travertine Nature Center as Cold Springs, but it's a short drive or a couple miles' walk. The springs do not disappoint. They are refreshingly cool and perfect to play in when walking on the trails. The spring on the Antelope Springs trail is drinkable. The kids filled up their water bottles where the water was coming out of the rock.

    We saw some wildlife--deer, turkey, and owls.

    There are other multi-use trails, such as biking, off Rock Creek and through other campgrounds, though we didn't get to check them out.

    Don't forget: kids can take part in the FREE Junior Ranger program through the Travertine Center. Upon completion of a super easy and informative booklet, kiddos are sworn in as junior ranger and receive a patch and a badge. Pretty sweet deal, if ya ask me.

    Noteworthy: Originally, we had reserved a group spot in Cold Springs, but I made the mistake of thinking it included two campsites in a loop when it only included one. Pay attention to that one, folks. The person on the awesome group campsite that I thought we had reserved made the same mistake. The reservation will list the loop, including the campsites in the loop. That doesn't mean you get all the sites.

    Options to pay are online through recreation.gov or at the onsite kiosks. Convenient!

    All in all, though it is a popular spot in OK, it's beautiful and cost effective. We will return as scouting groups and weekend family getaways. Though, I will be more careful regarding site selection.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2020

    Camp Doris

    Primitive and Semi Improved Spaces With Access To Wildlife Preserve

    Inside the wildlife preserve there are not a lot of camping options as the attempt to keep the wildlife wild is the primary focus. However if you are looking to stay inside the area, you will want to check out Doris Campground, located centrally in the property. 

    Camping options at Doris vary with both primitive and improved options. 47 sites without electricity offer only shaded retreat, regular sized pull ins and basic amenities with picnic tables and fire rings. However the improved sites offer electricity and larger pull ins for mid to large sized RV units. There is an additional set of camping options which are hike in style sites with a common parking area, these are a little harder to get to as the area is overgrown. 

    Sites range in price points from$12 to$24 and all have access to common spigots and restrooms. 

    One restroom is a bit more updated but offers only restrooms no showers while the less updated offers showers but is a bit creepy. 

    Something you will want to be mindful of staying at this site is wildlife. While many campgrounds often experience a wild animal or two, the raccoons here are quite menacing and snakes are very common. 

    If you do decide to come out to the Wichita Mountains, I suggest checking out some of the many hiking options and view points. The tower trail is a great one for views of the lake and terrain with minimal challenge and only some slightly uneven spaces from weathering and wash. Mount Scott is the highest point in the park and can be accessed through an invigorating hike to the top or through the scenic drive which features several pull offs and a parking area at the top. 

    Prairie Dog town is one of the more unique features of the park with dozens of colonies visible from several view points and pull offs. Being able to see the critters up close and personal will leave you smiling for hours. Walking throughout the preserve are buffalo and longhorns. 

    An extremely unique feature is the park’s Holy City, an area which was designated for use in the 20s and at its peak welcomed up to 250,000 people per year to an annual program performed on the hillside. This feature is unique in that it is a rock city constructed on the hillside which includes the story of Christ and also is the home of a chapel modeled after one that George Washington once attended in Virginia. A very unique piece of history.

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 17, 2018

    Camp Doris

    Favorite place to camp in Oklahoma

    I stay regularly in the walk in campsites here. The walk in sites are 40 to a few hundred yards walk from the parking lot. Each campsite has a fire ring and concrete picnic table. Most have tree shade. You'll want to bring firewood and water. Don't expect cell service but there's a good chance you'll see wildlife.

  • Dave V.
    Nov. 30, 2021

    Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area

    Beautiful Setting, but Military Ordinance can be noisy even inside a Cabin

    Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area, Fort Sill, OK

    Cabin 3 (both late June and mid-October)

    Lake Elmer Thomas(LETRA) is a 334 acre lake located on Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma. LETRA offers a pretty nice location for recreating. Offering quite a bit for families in a limited space.                                                                                                            •A nice beach and cordoned swim area, complete with restrooms and shower house(11a-7p)…lifeguards                                                                                                          •Sand volleyball court                                                                                                             •Watersport rentals: paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, pontoon boat                                      •Mini golf course                                                                                                                         •Disc golf course                                                                                                                     •RV/Camper area                                                                                                                         •Rustic rental cabins                                                                                                                    •Random primitive tent camping                                                                                        •Fishing                                                                                                                                              •Nearby off-base hiking(Mount Scott and the Medicine Park Wildlife Refuge)              •Bicycling-ample quiet, paved road opportunities but surprisingly limited off road options 

    Tent Camping: there are no specifically designated loop or numbered site tent areas. Tenters are permitted to camp all along the lake’s edge in the grassy area. There are a few picnic tables and elevated charcoal grills(no ground fires permitted), so you may have to do without. There are also a few picnic tables under shelters, but half are in a state of disrepair and caution-taped off. Tenters cannot set up tents within the cabin rental inner circle. 

    The modern facility restrooms are across from the playground as you enter the cabin rental peninsula. Tent campers are able to utilize the shower house/restrooms in the RV/Camper section, as well as the beach areas during open hours. There is no ground cover to separate one tent from the next…all can be seen and heard. 

    RV/Camper Sites: big rigs are lined up side by side in a separate gravel loop immediately to the left of the entrance. Sites have water and electric hookups. The nicest shower house/restroom is located there. There is a small patch of grass between sites, picnic table and elevated charcoal grill. These sites are closest to the entrance, beach area, watersport rental and campground activities. 

    Cabin Rentals: log home rentals are on a small peninsula with great views of Mount Scott and Lake Elmer Thomas. At the time of this review, you must bring your own bedding linens/blankets, towels, etc. I would also recommend packing extra eating utensils, condiments and any other items that you would take camping. We rented Cabin 3, which the website says will sleep 4…inaccurate. One full size bed and a small futon will sleep two average-sized adults and one small child in marginal comfort. The table only provides two chairs, not four for two not four. I would subtract 1-2 persons on the cabins unless you count floor space. Cabin 3 was$80 nightly. 

    Painted turtles are in abundance around the lake, as are smallish ‘fist-sized’ tarantulas. Bicycling the Artillary Range perimeter roadways on base, coyote dash across in early morning hours. Note: you are on a military base, so there are a number of restrictions that you need to be aware of and abide by. 

    Additionally, the campground is positioned along the northern side of the Artillery range. Yes, you will see and hear C-Ram’s lighting up the sky randomly during the day and night hours, as well as other ordinance. I enjoyed the display and out-of-the-ordinary disruption. Think unanticipated fireworks.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 21, 2018

    Rock Creek Campground — Chickasaw National Recreation Area

    Huge Campground With Group Camping

    My first impression of this campground was a little fear.... but let me explain....

    When I pulled into this campground it looked like a festival had set up shop right inside the gate with dozens of tents in a clearing. It was a little overwhelming and I was afraid that with the closure of one of the local camps, I felt the overflow had come mostly to this camp and that it was not going to have an ounce of privacy.

    But... turns out that it was just a Boy Scout group in the group camp which is positioned right inside the gate. So my fear of overcrowding subsided and as I traveled a bit deeper into camp I noticed it wasn't to bad, in fact there were tons of places because this campground has over 100 sites, spread over several loops. This gave me not only a great confidence that I could find something perfect, but also something removed from the sounds of the populated group camp and enjoy a little time away from it all.

    Sites at this camp vary, there are both pull through and back in sites. The strange however, was that online on Receation.gov (where you typically book any sites located on government lands) this campground is known only to be a "group camp". However clearly there are individual sites, and you can access these through the kiosk just inside camp.

    The site I selected had a strange configuration for parking, you park beside the spot, but in a large truck it seemed to be a bit in the way of the road, in my car it would have by far been a bit better fit. I was positioned on a corner which meant I had a lot of space and my campsite had both a picnic table and fire ring with attached grill in addition to the lantern post. Overall minus the parking the site was pretty ideal with big shade trees and a pretty even place to set up a tent.

    I did notice around camp not all sites are created equally, while my site had a nice even space not he table top some of the sites still were utilizing the older tables which were warped from weather.

    TIPS:

    • If you aren't a group wait til you get here to select a site because online there doesn't seem to be a good reservation system for regular campers.

    • If you are a rig which uses solar, the sites on the furthest loops might be a better fit, the first loop of camp is pretty tree covered.

  • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2018

    Camp Doris

    A great place for wildlife watching

    From when I was younger I remember going to the Wichita Mountains to see the Holy City and the prairie dog city. It has always been a place of fond memories and a lot of fun for not only myself but the entire family. It wasn’t until more recent years however that I was aware that there was a camping area there right within the wildlife preserve itself.

    In the footprint of the mountains this campground welcomes both tent and RV campers looking to enjoy an overnight stay or more lengthy stay.  Primitive camping is available with a park and walk through a short trail or in camp there are both electrical and non-electrical sites with prices ranging for these from $8 to $20.

    I noticed that the in campground sites are pretty typical in that they offer both fire rings and picnic tables.  They do have a shower and restroom which is available during non-winter months and other toilets for usage during the cooler months.  They do have drinking water available here which is also nice considering distance to nearest stores.

    The best feature of this campground is not the campground itself it is the access you have to the refuge area where you can on any given day see herds of deer, buffalo, long horn cattle, turkey and of course prairie dogs.  A lot of times you will find these wandering around into camp itself.  

    The area has become more and more popular for rock climbing and hiking with several people setting up basecamp at this campground.  This campground does have posted closings of gate hours so you cannot explore in the area past these posted times (during summer 10 during week or 11 on weekends).

    TIPS:

    • Check into the visitor center for lists of guided tours for Bald Eagle spotting and other tours.
    • Take a drive up Mount Scott for some of the best views in the area.
    • Listen for barking of the Prairie Dogs, this is how they warn one another of people in the area, it is very interesting to hear and if you drive by the sites where you see their mounds, pull off and roll down your windows you can watch and hear them.
  • Dave V.
    Nov. 30, 2021

    Buckhorn Campground Loop C — Chickasaw National Recreation Area

    Midweek Early Summer Respite

    Chickasaw National Recreation Area- Buckhorn Area Oklahoma. 

    Site 36 Loop B 

    Continuing our late spring journey west…we ventured to Chickasaw NRA. 

    Stopping in at the beautiful Visitor’s Center at the edge of town, those that assisted us at the information were extremely gracious and helpful, having never visited before. Taking their advice we travelled 7.5 miles south on Rt 177 and turned west on Buckhorn until arriving at the Buckhorn Area campground loops off to the south. 

    Anxious to get out of the car, we settled too quickly on Site 36 Loop B before surveying the three other Loops. There are some really nice and spacious sites out there…especially on C and D. Site 36 Loop B is located amidst six other sites in an open area on Lake of the Arbuckles. Upon setting up camp, we were the solitary campers in Loop B(Tuesday night mid-June) other than the host. 

    Later, another family arrived choosing a nearby lakefront site. It should be noted that this is a busy lake. Powerboats raced from end to end like today was their last day on earth and their choice of blaring music may not be to your liking. So it is not always quiet and tranquil. Pretty popular with the fishermen as well. I witnessed a lot of fishing but not a lot of catching. Once the power boaters, personal watercraft and tubers call it a night, lake of the Arbuckles is supremely tranquil. 

    The lake was as warm as bath water on June 15th, which was surprising…days were 90’s with nights in the 70’s and cloudless skies. 

    Personally, I would choose a more shaded site if we were to spend more than one night. Each Loop B site had a level gravel horseshoe shaped pad. Tents must be within that area. 

    • Each site has a grated fire ring, a lantern pole and a movable picnic table. Tent sites were clearly marked. 

    • Numerous lakefront sites are in a cleared area below the shower house/restrooms and Check-In kiosk…each are visible from the other we no understory or foliage to provide privacy. Those nestled in the woods along the outside perimeter offer much more privacy.

    • Water spigots are sporadically spaced for easy access in the“primitive” loops.

    • Electric/water sites obviously offer those amenities are a bit deeper, more spacious and some have two parking spots. Most of those on Loop D were taken.

    • The loops are separated substantially so that other campers are not seen nor heard from loop to loop. Surprisingly, I could not even locate trails that led from loop to loop.

    • Shower-house/restrooms were very clean and well stocked. Loop B had one shower for the entire loop in both men’s and women’s restrooms…as well as one family shower between the two. On our visit the electrical outlets were not working in the restrooms. Facilities are modern and showers are warm and on a push button timer to conserve water.(men’s-2 sinks/2-stalls, 1-standup, 1-shower)

    • Milton, Our Loop B host, was a pleasant gentleman that was a full time RVer and very knowledgeable of the area.

    • The Check-In Kiosk(located in each loop) was an easy, painless affair IF you have a credit card.

    • Multi-use trails are aplenty in various parts of the NRA. Some lead you by bison, others to waterfalls, and some simply through serene forest. The terrain is undulating so be prepared…especially by bicycle.

    • Traveling north on 177 there is a Bison Viewpoint trail, and if the bison cooperate you’ll be rewarded.

    • Several springs and 1930’s CCC built dams exist creating small waterfalls and refreshing swimming holes on many. There are some springs that are posted“no swimming.” The Travertine Nature Center is also worth a visit providing numerous wildlife dioramas and several live exhibits. NP Rangers possess great knowledge and eager to answer any park questions.

    • Dump station turnoff is 9/10 and 7/10 of a mile from thr campground entrances Primitive campgrounds also exist near the numerous falls and Travertine River closer to the city of Sulphur. Campsites appeared close to the park roadway as we traveled toward the Nature Center.

    • All in all, a wonderful park that needs several days to fully explore.

Guide to Duncan

Tent camping near Duncan, Oklahoma offers a variety of scenic spots where nature lovers can enjoy the great outdoors. With options ranging from primitive sites to those with essential amenities, there's something for every type of camper.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

Tent campers should check out local activities

  • At Honey Creek Campground, guests can enjoy peaceful lakeside views and opportunities for fishing and hiking in a serene environment.
  • Joe Benton Park - Lake Nocona is perfect for those who enjoy biking and exploring the area, with quiet surroundings ideal for a daycation.
  • The hiking trails near Waurika Primitive Camping offer stunning views and a chance to connect with nature, making it a great spot for outdoor enthusiasts.

Unique features of these campgrounds

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Duncan, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Duncan, OK is Waurika Primitive Camping with a 4-star rating from 2 reviews.

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