Robbers Cave State Park offers equestrian camping facilities with clean restrooms and showers that are well maintained. The equestrian campground exceeds typical expectations with amenities designed specifically for horse owners. Each campsite includes fire rings, picnic tables, and pads for tent setup. Horse owners enjoy direct access to multiple riding trails throughout the park, making it easy to explore the scenic terrain of eastern Oklahoma without having to trailer horses between rides.
Located approximately 90 miles from Checotah, the park features an extensive trail system ideal for day-long rides through varied terrain. Riders can explore caverns, wooded areas, and scenic overlooks while enjoying well-maintained paths suitable for various experience levels. Primitive to full hookup sites accommodate different camping styles from tent camping to RVs with horses. Robbers Cave Stables provides guided horseback riding opportunities for visitors without their own mounts. The equestrian campground tends to fill quickly during holiday weekends and peak seasons, with sites available on a first-come, first-served basis outside of peak season. Riders particularly appreciate the convenient layout allowing horses to remain near campsites while providing adequate space for both animals and camping equipment.
"The road from the highway to the park is easy to navigate for any size rig. The same inside the park; it's well-marked and easy to navigate."
"Stayed in the Equestrian campground with access to miles and miles of trails. It was wonderful and some of the best hiking I have done in quite a while. The hikes along the lake edges were great."
"Campground was alongside the highway, however the highway divides the state park, sites up the hill are farther away from the highway."
from $32 / night
"My son fished in the lake right outside our spot and we had deer walking by!"
"It is close to Hwy 51 but you really can’t tell. Gate keepers were wonderful and very helpful I saw some old oyster mushrooms all over the place possibly some lions mane 💓 I had a great time."
"They also have normal cabin rental and tiny home rentals that were perfectly positioned around campground and fishing pond. My only complaint would be that the sites are really compact."
"Also hiking trails. Also some tent sites. There is a whole new section for Class A and large 5th wheel campers now."
"Store outside gate. Gates going in locked at 10:00 p.m. and open at 6:00 a.m."
"We had a great spot located 200 yards from the lake. Also had the boat dock just on the other side of us. Great place to stay, friendly staff!"
Campground full this weekend
Get a text when availablefrom $21 - $50 / night
GuideWe stopped at Taylor’s Ferry for one night on a road trip and pretty much had the whole campground to ourselves! We stayed in spot 51 (pull through) right on the water and shaded! Campground is very clean and hosts are helpful. My son fished in the lake right outside our spot and we had deer walking by!
GuideDuring the past five years, we've stayed at this park at least six times. It's a good overnight stopping point as we head back to Texas, with easy access from the highway and a nice dog park. If you travel with pets, then you know why that's important.
All the park staff we have ever dealt with were very friendly and helpful. The road from the highway to the park is easy to navigate for any size rig. The same inside the park; it's well-marked and easy to navigate. Even though it's close to the highway, you really won't hear much traffic noise, especially if you're at the rear of the park away from the roadway.
We were assigned to pull-through site number E1 with a concrete pad that is level from side to side. Power, Water, and Sewer were all conveniently located, and the power supply had no issues at all. We use a power management system, and all electrical parameters were spot on during our stay. Water pressure was very good, and the in-ground sewer connection was conveniently located.
NOTE: We always request space E1 because it is level, has a nice-sized shade tree that blocks the afternoon sun, and is close to the bathrooms, showers, pool, and laundry room. I've included several aerial photos of the park, and you will see that it is pretty full. Probably 90% of those staying here are full-time or seasonal. Row E is usually left open for travelers, so you might want to request a site on that row, as they are pretty much level. Even though the park has mostly full-time residents, it is nice, quiet, and well maintained. If it wasn't, we wouldn't continually stay here.
The bathrooms, showers, laundry room, and pool area are all located in one location at the front of Row E and are clean and well maintained with secure door and gate codes. Wi-Fi, Satellite, Cable, and OTA: We were able to get AT&T 5G with 3 bars. AT&T achieved 567 Mbps down and 6.43 Mbps up. Satellite reception should not be an issue at most sites, and if you do need totally clear access for satellite reception, there are sites available with no trees. We were able to get 30 OTA stations available, and they all had great reception with clear HD pictures. Cable and Wi-Fi were not available.
Dog Park: They have a very nice fenced-in park that is always in great condition. The park is divided for big and small dogs, and the large-dog area is very large with lots of tree coverage. They also provide doggie bags and a trash can.
Amenities: Lots of items are listed on their website, and you are only a few miles from town, where you can find plenty of stores and restaurants. Also, this is a Good Sam Park, so if you're a member, you'll get a discount if you let them know. Summary: A great place for an overnight stay, and I would not hesitate to recommend it- enjoy your stay!
ScoutHauling our new camper home and Fort Gibson was a convenient mid point. Dialed up campgrounds and chose this one on CBC a whim. Spent a week here and during that time scouted out all the other government sites in the area. This one is the best gov site in the area.
LegendStayed in the Equestrian campground with access to miles and miles of trails. It was wonderful and some of the best hiking I have done in quite a while. The hikes along the lake edges were great. There are horse trails id have loved to have done but it was time to move on. Of all the campgrounds, and there are many in the park, the Equestrian is the best if you want to hike.
LegendI think part of the possibility confusion is the north and south campground. There is both on the campground on the south side of the road. There is also a day use area on the overall north side of the road which is for boating and picnics. Campground is great but if you have read you can stay for free on the picnic area, that is not correct as it allows no camping.
TravelerFriendly helpful staff. Decent lots. Many are shaded. Several things for kids including a pool.
TravelerShowers need cleaning and water pressure is very poor
GuideGreat camp ground, pleanty of shady spots. Would have given 5 stars, but they are limited on sites with 50amps. Showers were in rough shape as well
LegendThis was our second stop at the KOA in Fort Smith AR. They have many improvements since out last stay. The campground is convenient to I-40. It’s far enough away to not have traffic noise. The sites are level, there is a pool, Propane, fishing pond, and camp store. Also hiking trails. Also some tent sites. There is a whole new section for Class A and large 5th wheel campers now. The are located behind a highway department facility, and last visit the smell of the treated power line poles was overwhelming. No problem this time. This is one of the few campgrounds I’ve been to that have a storm shelter!
Robbers Cave State Park sits in the San Bois Mountains of eastern Oklahoma, covering over 8,000 acres of pine forests and rocky terrain. The equestrian campgrounds near Checotah, Oklahoma offer specialized facilities beyond standard amenities, with direct trail access to diverse terrain. Riders have access to multiple campground options within a 90-minute drive of Checotah, with varying levels of facilities specifically designed for horse owners.
Explore historical sites: Robbers Cave State Park features caves once used by outlaws including Jesse James and Belle Starr. "Lots of history at Robbers Cave State Park! Belle Starr famous Lady Outlaw! Jesse James Gang! Beautiful lakes and numerous hiking trails!" notes Eddie J. from Robbers Cave State Park.
Go swimming: Multiple swimming areas available at Robbers Cave. "We spent two afternoons swimming in Lake Carlton. The designated swim area has a very rocky drop-off for an entrance, but once out it was very nice swimming. There is a concrete pier that is located along the swim ropes that you can climb up and jump off of," according to Kyle H.
Try scuba diving: Lake Tenkiller offers exceptional diving opportunities near Checotah. "Lake Tenkiller is an amazing location to scuba dive. It's waters are clear and cool from a distance of 8 to 28 feet. A diver will have the opportunity to investigate a sunken airplane fuselage, school bus, helicopter and two boats," reports N I. from Chicken Creek.
Fish directly from camp: Some campsites offer direct water access for fishing. "Had a great time fishing at our campsite. Were the only ones at this campground. You'll have to find this treasure spot," mentions Valerie C. about a secluded area in Robbers Cave State Park.
Private shower facilities: Taylor Ferry campground provides dedicated shower areas. "We stayed on the north end which has a private shower house. We caught some catfish right off the rock peer," explains Elizabeth B. from Taylor Ferry.
Family activities: Numerous structured programs for children throughout the week. "The Oklahoma Park staff were very knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to answer any of my questions. Also when you get to camp they will give you a schedule of all the events that are going on throughout the week you are staying," shares Kyle H. about Robbers Cave State Park.
Good site spacing: Some areas provide more privacy between campsites. "We booked site 23 in the Old Circle Campground... Site 23 was a pull through site with full hookups located only about 5 feet off the main campground road. The site then on the opposite side held our own little secluded spot surrounded by pine trees down a slight slope from camper," notes Kyle H.
Pet-friendly options: Most equestrian camping areas welcome dogs along with horses. "This is such a great park, one of the best I have ever been to for equine camping. Horses are very happy here, just remember to bring your coggins paperwork," advises Kent B. from Robbers Cave State Park.
Off-season availability: Some horse campgrounds remain open year-round. "All year" notes the operating season for Robbers Cave State Park, while Taylor Ferry indicates "Two dump stations! I do advise having a water filter system on your rig. We Will totally be returning anytime of year because this COE stays open all year," reports Elizabeth B.
Trail difficulty varies: Hiking paths may be more challenging than marked. "We tried a few trails but were too hard for us. We have a daughter with cerebral palsy that we pull in a wagon and the trails were too rough for the wagon," shares Matt B. about Robbers Cave.
Lake conditions changing: Water levels may affect activities. "The only thing is we were told that the lake would be low for the next two years for reconstruction of the dam. Because of the low water you can walk very far into the water from where we we're staying," notes Elizabeth B.
Documentation requirements: "Horses are very happy here, just remember to bring your coggins paperwork," advises Kent B. about Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA, highlighting the need for proper horse health documentation.
Pool facilities: Several parks offer swimming pools with extra features. "There was a pool with two water slides and a splash zone, it is $5 dollars to enter for the entire day," mentions Kyle H. about Robbers Cave State Park.
Cave hiking with children: Kid-friendly adventure options available. "The last thing we did before leaving Robbers Cave State Park after our three night stay was to go and search for the outlaws in the cave ourselves. I will give you a spoiler alert, the hiking trail to the cave is steep and rocky with big drop-offs, so be careful with small children. It is a ¾ of a mile trail that my son absolutely loved," shares Kyle H.
Fishing for kids: Dedicated fishing areas suitable for children. "Our family has been coming here in rv's for years. It is a great spot to fish and hang out with acceptable bathrooms. Located right on the lake, my family would spend hours fishing while the kids would play," notes Tom K. about Taylor Ferry Campground.
Educational programs: Structured activities available for different age groups. "We did a hayride that lead us through the park to the stables where there is a petting zoo, we saw the second largest pine tree in Oklahoma, and drank water from anartesian well," reports Kyle H.
Gate timing awareness: Some parks restrict overnight access. "Gates going in locked at 10:00 p.m. and open at 6:00 a.m.," notes Mark J. about Chicken Creek Campground.
Hookup variations: Electric service differs between campgrounds. "Only seven 50 amp spots and no sewer sites but the campground is great," shares Mark J. about Chicken Creek.
Water quality issues: "I do advise having a water filter system on your rig," recommends Elizabeth B. about Taylor Ferry, suggesting variable water quality in the region.
Dump station locations: Plan for waste management without full hookups. "Grey water and sewage must be properly disposed of in the provided dump station receptacle," explains N I., highlighting the facilities at Chicken Creek.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Checotah, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Checotah, OK is Little Turtle RV & Storage with a 3.5-star rating from 2 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Checotah, OK?
TheDyrt.com has all 5 equestrian camping locations near Checotah, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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