Roman Nose State Park and Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park offer upscale glamping accommodations just a short drive from Canton, Oklahoma. Located in the western part of the state where elevation ranges from 1,600 to 1,800 feet, the region experiences hot summers and mild winters. The red sandstone canyons throughout the area create natural windbreaks that help protect campsites during Oklahoma's notoriously windy conditions.
What to do
Hiking trails: Multiple trail options at Roman Nose State Park range from easy to moderate difficulty. "Amazing trails and great views," writes Justin J., who gave the park a 5-star rating. The trails provide access to natural springs and unique geological formations.
Fishing opportunities: Foss State Lake offers year-round fishing with seasonal trout stocking. "During the Fall and Winter months the lake provides great Trout Fishing that is stocked every 2 weeks," notes William A. from Roman Nose State Park.
Wildlife viewing: Buffalo Bend Campground at Foss State Park offers wildlife encounters. "I don't know if it's an Oklahoma thing but the wind was crazy making tent camping a little rough," shares Anna M., who warns visitors to "plan accordingly" for gnats and even "raccoons trying to get in our tent."
What campers like
Natural springs: The cold springs offer relief during hot weather. "After a day of hiking we love to go wade in the springs. Nice and refreshing," writes Nohemy T. about Roman Nose State Park.
Canyon views: The dramatic red rock formations create unique scenery. "It's interesting upon driving across flat plains and arriving at a canyon in the middle of it all!" says Cheryl M. about her experience at Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park.
Family activities: El Reno West KOA offers numerous recreational options. "Pool, pedal carts, jumping pillow, and a playground for the kids!" says Brittany J. about the El Reno West KOA, adding that "it's way less crowded than the state parks."
What you should know
Seasonal weather challenges: Strong winds can affect camping comfort, especially for tent campers. "The wind was crazy making tent camping a little rough," reports Anna M. about her stay at Foss State Park.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between parks. "The bathrooms are super nice and clean," writes Brittany J. about El Reno West KOA, while Jo A. notes that at Foss State Park, "tent campers have unpaved roads along with a permanent building for the toilet provided (basically a huge hole under the toilet like a porta potty and no showers)."
Reservation requirements: Most glamping sites near Canton require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. Availability can be limited for premium sites.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Different parks offer varied water recreation. "This campground offers an area sectioned off for swimmers," notes Colton K. about Foss State Park, adding that there's "a lot of room is available for boating fun wether it be fishing, skiing, tubing, etc."
Kid-friendly amenities: Seek out campgrounds with designed play areas. The Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park has "pool, camp store, playgrounds and numerous rappelling sites," according to Jenny F., who calls it a "hidden treasure" that's "very family friendly."
Sheltered camping: Look for sites with natural wind protection. "This camping park, with lots of sites for RV's with full hookups, partial hookups, and a seperate tent area" has some tent sites "tucked in among a tight bunch of trees," notes Annie C., providing shelter from Oklahoma's strong winds.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Choose sites based on privacy needs. Leslie N. from Roman Nose State Park recommends: "Cedar Cove had water & electric and seemed to be the sites with least traffic & felt a bit more peaceful," while noting that "Canyon Vista is very crowded, open & only for those that enjoy knowing their neighbors well."
Low-hanging branches: Watch for overhead obstacles when driving larger RVs. Brian F. cautions about Roman Nose: "Be careful of low hanging branches if you have a taller RV."
Hookup variations: Full-service sites offer different experiences across parks. At El Reno West KOA, Julia H. warns that "full hook up spots up front are literally a parking lot. The spots are so close you are almost touching the RVs beside you," suggesting campers select more spacious sites when available.