Best Campgrounds near Clayton, OK

Clayton, Oklahoma sits amid a diverse camping landscape that includes both state parks and national forest lands. Clayton Lake State Park Campground provides developed sites for tent, RV, and cabin camping with amenities including electric hookups, showers, and toilets. The surrounding Ouachita National Forest offers more primitive options, including dispersed camping at locations like Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite, where campers can enjoy free, more secluded experiences. Several campgrounds in the area feature water access, with sites available along Clayton Lake and nearby waterways.

Road conditions and seasonal considerations significantly impact camping experiences in this region. Many campgrounds remain open year-round, including Clayton Lake State Park, though some facilities like Potato Hills South operate seasonally from April through September. A review mentioned that "Clayton Lake is right on the edge of the section of SE Oklahoma with the least light-pollution," making it ideal for stargazing. The area experiences hot summers and mild winters, with spring and fall offering the most comfortable camping conditions. Cell service varies throughout the region, with better coverage near established campgrounds and limited or no service in more remote forest areas.

Campers report high satisfaction with waterfront sites and natural features throughout the Clayton area. The pine forests provide ample shade at many campgrounds, while hiking trails offer opportunities to explore the surrounding mountains and woodlands. A recent review noted that "if you love getting the full effect of beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and stars - this may be the perfect spot for you to watch the skies!" Fishing is popular at Clayton Lake and other nearby water bodies. Campgrounds like Potato Hills South and Central provide electric hookups and amenities for RV campers, while those seeking more primitive experiences can find solitude in the dispersed camping areas within the Ouachita National Forest. Wildlife viewing opportunities include deer, various bird species, and occasional larger mammals native to the region.

Best Camping Sites Near Clayton, Oklahoma (100)

    1. Robbers Cave State Park — Robbers Cave State Resort Park

    61 Reviews
    Wilburton, OK
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 465-2565

    $32 / night

    "Our first Oklahoma camping trip lead us to Robbers Cave State Park in the southeastern portion of Oklahoma. It is located on more than 8,000 acres in the San Bois Mountains. "

    "Campground was alongside the highway, however the highway divides the state park, sites up the hill are farther away from the highway."

    2. Clayton Lake State Park Campground

    3 Reviews
    Clayton, OK
    4 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 569-7981

    $14 - $150 / night

    "If you check dark-skies maps, you'll see that Clayton Lake is right on the edge of the section of SE Oklahoma with the least light-pollution."

    "We got here in the dark and it was hard to find a a spot but when we woke up the next morning we had a great view of the lake."

    3. Sardis Cove

    3 Reviews
    Clayton, OK
    7 miles
    Website

    "They came and sat at my campsite and we talked about the lake and the roads around the lake.  I had a great time"

    4. Potato Hills South

    1 Review
    Clayton, OK
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 569-4131

    $16 - $75 / night

    5. Talimena State Park Campground

    11 Reviews
    Talihina, OK
    27 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 567-2052

    "This State Park is located in SE Oklahoma and is a hidden gem. The park has a number of RV sites and tent sites."

    "There was at least one other trail leading away from camp.

    Camp store is closed during the week - at least during the time of year of our visit.

    The town of Talihina is about 6 miles from camp."

    6. K River Campground

    5 Reviews
    Daisy, OK
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (580) 298-2442

    "Right next to the river for kayaking, canoeing or just relaxing. Off-road vehicle trails a petting zoo on site."

    "Electric and water but no sewer if you’re close to the river which we were. The cabins are adorable and their general store was so cute! They have a community kitchen anyone can use!"

    7. Potato Hills Central Campground

    Be the first to review!
    Clayton, OK
    3 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 569-4131

    $20 - $150 / night

    8. McGee Creek State Park Campground

    18 Reviews
    Lane, OK
    35 miles
    Website
    +1 (580) 889-5822

    "The campground we stayed in was very nice with easy access to the water. I could also tell that some camping spots were upgraded for ADA compliance, which looked spacious and neat."

    "From OKC, it's about a 3.5 hour drive, but it is well worth it. This little park is very quiet and not heavily trafficked. The trails are wonderful, and it's in close proximity to the lake."

    9. Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

    9 Reviews
    Talihina, OK
    30 miles

    "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."

    "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."

    10. Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite

    3 Reviews
    Talihina, OK
    29 miles

    "Small peaceful pond and is right off the Deadman South Trail."

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Recent Reviews near Clayton, OK

300 Reviews of 100 Clayton Campgrounds


  • Wesley H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    County Road D1590 Dispersed

    Deep woods

    Definitely isolated, kind of creepy at night. Drove our 29ft class c to the site,road is mostly small rocks

  • Wesley H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    County Road D1590 Dispersed

    Really in the woods

    Took our class c down the narrow road. Pretty good mostly rock.camp site was clean.

  • Kristina B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2025

    Little River Park

    Beautiful and quiet

    We had spot A15, full hookup with a 38ft 5th wheel for 1 night. There is a board when you pull in to tell whats available. Had the whole place to ourselves. The camphost was awesome. We pulled in around 10pm and he came out to greet us, super nice gentlemen. Highly recommend

  • B
    May. 12, 2025

    Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite

    Quiet, Hidden, Gem

    This spot was amazing, the first place I had planned for was taken, so this was my next option and it did not disappoint. The pond was calm, with some bullfrogs and snakes which were cool to experience. There was plenty of space for a couple of cars on level ground, fire pit was nicely maintained as well. Don’t mess this place up!

  • Ashley H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 21, 2025

    Turkey Flat Campground — Arrowhead State Park

    Quiet simple campground with large spots

    We stopped here for a few nights as my husband worked in McAlester. Very spacious spots. Feels like you are out in nature. No issues with reserving or setting up. The entire state park feels a little outdated but the RV site itself was great. No extra amenities like WiFi or an office but has a clean bathroom.

  • jThe Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 1, 2025

    Turkey Circle — Beavers Bend State Park

    Secluded spot in Beavers Bend

    Beautiful little hideaway spot, elevated with cozy tree cover, very private, haven’t seen anyone the whole 3 days!

  • M
    Mar. 31, 2025

    Heavener Runestone Park

    Great weekend with families at site 1

    We came to Heavener Runestone Park with three families and nine young children and had the BEST time! Totally worth the drive from Tulsa. The park is beautiful and secluded, very clean and well kept. It has some really fun little themed touches in keeping with the Viking Runestone. The history around the Runestone is so interesting, the kids loved hearing about the Vikings. The hiking was beautiful and just challenging enough to be fun while accessible for little kids. Bathrooms were clean and easily accessed from our tent sites. The views were spectacular. Out of the three cliff tent sites I would say only 1 was safe for kids, 2 and 3 were too close to the cliff (beautiful views though). The playground was really fun and right by site 1. It’s a big site so we put four tents and 15 people on that site comfortably, it also has a covered pavilion which helped us in the rain and a brief storm. The park hosts were incredibly kind and welcoming. One last note, you do need to bring your own drinking water in. We had such a great time and would totally recommend the park for adults or families. My only complaint was the persistent barking dog on the private residence by the entrance to the park, including late at night.


Guide to Clayton

Camping near Clayton, Oklahoma, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking: Explore the numerous trails around the area. One camper mentioned, "The park itself is phenomenal…so much to do but the hiking is the best. Don’t miss the Cave Trail!" at Robbers Cave State Park.
  • Fishing: Many lakes and rivers in the region are perfect for fishing. A visitor at McGee Creek State Park said, "The lake is pretty small but nice for fishers and there is a swim area in walking distance from the campground."
  • Wildlife Watching: Keep an eye out for local wildlife. One reviewer at Dogwood Campground noted, "Plenty of trees, squirrels, birds, and a few deer."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful landscapes. A visitor at Cedar Lake said, "I love it. Asphalt and gravel sites. Clean bathrooms. Gorgeous 3-mile hike around the lake."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peaceful environment. One camper at Winding Stair Campground shared, "The campground is very peaceful, only two other campers on a Thursday in the middle of June."
  • Helpful Staff: Campground hosts often receive praise for their friendliness. A reviewer at Arrowhead State Park mentioned, "Camp host very nice and makes sure you’re happy with your location."

What you should know:

  • Road Noise: Some campgrounds are near busy roads. A camper at Talimena State Park noted, "Only negative part is the road noise."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full facilities. A visitor at Queen Wilhelmina State Park mentioned, "The campsite layout is…weird. It’s like most of the sites were designed for a motorcoach to drive into."
  • Bring Your Own Firewood: Some campgrounds do not provide firewood. A camper at Robbers Cave State Park advised, "Word to the wise, bring your own wood because they charge $6 for 4 really pathetic twigs."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for sites with playgrounds and activities. A reviewer at Arrowhead State Park mentioned, "Great playground area for kids!"
  • Plan for Clean Facilities: Make sure to check the cleanliness of bathrooms. A camper at McGee Creek State Park said, "The grounds are maintained and the bathrooms clean."
  • Pack Snacks and Drinks: Having food on hand can make family outings easier. A visitor at Dogwood Campground noted, "The park office has ice!"

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Cedar Lake mentioned, "The access road is very narrow caution if you’re pulling a large TT or Class A-C."
  • Full Hookups: Look for campgrounds with full hookups for convenience. A reviewer at McGee Creek State Park appreciated, "Full hookup, enough space from neighbors while not being too spread out."
  • Bring Leveling Blocks: Some sites may not be level. A camper at Dogwood Campground advised, "Bring your leveling blocks as asphalt sites are less than level!"

Camping near Clayton, Oklahoma, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. With beautiful parks and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot to unwind and enjoy nature.

Frequently Asked Questions

What camping is available near Clayton, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, Clayton, OK offers a wide range of camping options, with 100 campgrounds and RV parks near Clayton, OK and 10 free dispersed camping spots.

Which is the most popular campground near Clayton, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Clayton, OK is Robbers Cave State Park — Robbers Cave State Resort Park with a 4.2-star rating from 61 reviews.

Where can I find free dispersed camping near Clayton, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 free dispersed camping spots near Clayton, OK.

What parks are near Clayton, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 32 parks near Clayton, OK that allow camping, notably Sardis Lake and Hugo Lake.