Best Dispersed Camping near Colcord, OK

Dispersed camping around Colcord, Oklahoma centers on several primitive sites in the nearby Arkansas and Missouri regions. The area features multiple free camping locations including Lookout Tower Road in Arkansas and Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area in Missouri, both within reasonable driving distance from Colcord. Additional dispersed sites include areas near Devils Den in Arkansas and Lee Creek Off Road Site, providing options for campers seeking primitive outdoor experiences without developed facilities.

Several access roads to these dispersed sites require careful navigation, with some presenting challenges for larger vehicles. Lookout Tower Road accommodates larger vehicles including buses according to visitor reports, while areas near Devils Den have narrow access roads that may become impassable during wet conditions. Most sites lack basic amenities such as drinking water, toilets, or trash service. Campers must follow leave-no-trace principles and pack out all waste. Cell phone coverage varies considerably across locations, with some sites offering limited or no signal. Fire regulations differ by location, with some areas permitting campfires while others enforce fire bans.

These dispersed camping areas provide varying levels of seclusion and natural experiences. Lookout Tower Road receives positive reviews for its cleanliness and minimal bug presence, with one visitor noting it was "less trash than most free camps" with "multiple spots with plenty of room." The areas near Devils Den offer water access with "nice walk trails along the water," though visitors should be aware of potential road challenges. Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area provides a more remote experience, described by one camper as "pretty remote. Quiet," while another mentioned it was a "rarely used site" with "nice woods." Road noise can be a factor at some locations, as one camper noted about Lee Creek: "Right off the main road, you can still hear the traffic, but it's not a lot of traffic."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Colcord, Oklahoma (5)

    1. Lookout Tower Road

    3 Reviews
    Siloam Springs, AR
    18 miles

    "Less trash than most free camps. Multiple spots with plenty of room and not many bugs. Cell signal was strong in many places. Bike trails are worth using.

    Bring it in take it out, it's that easy."

    "We were in Bentonville, Arkansas and decided to take a gamble on this and it was about 40 minute drive when we got there."

    2. Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area

    3 Reviews
    Pineville, MO
    30 miles

    "Right off highway K! Coordinates looks like it drops you off at the middle of the road but there is a gravel drive. Brings you to a grass lot with a trail off of it."

    "Pretty remote. Quiet. Tick dog tried to get through the tick gate but failed unfortunately. No table. Burn ban, so no fires. No ticks. Hard to get to in the dark, but nice scenery."

    3. Dam Site Campground at Fort Gibson

    3 Reviews
    Okay, OK
    41 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 682-4314

    "There is plenty to do around the area, fish, hike and explore. The people are nice and the camp host helped us out with firewood."

    "Gibson lake it a great place. The view is awesome, and there is a lot to do."

    4. Dispersed Near Devils Den

    2 Reviews
    Chester, AR
    42 miles

    "The coordinates are fairly accurate. The entryways are a little tight for vehicles, but I made it in my sprinter van so everything else should be just fine. Would’ve been a nearly perfect campsite."

    5. Lee Creek Off Road Site

    1 Review
    Natural Dam, AR
    43 miles
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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Colcord, OK

5 Photos of 5 Colcord Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Colcord, OK

8 Reviews of 5 Colcord Campgrounds


  • Lauren
    Jul. 3, 2025

    Dispersed Near Devils Den

    Be careful!

    I just got back from staying here for a night. For one, it is a very narrow road but my minivan got through just fine. UNTIL I made it to a puddle of water (that I highly underestimated), got stuck in the mud immediately and had to call a tow company (by walking 15 minutes down the highway to get signal; no signal at all at the sites) to help pull me out for $400. The people at the tow company warned me that the forest service does NOT allow cars to drive on these roads anymore, and that is why they added guard rails. They told me that had I gotten caught with my car in there I would have had to pay a big fine. He said camping is fine as long as you park on the turnout by the highway and walk in. Saying all of that, there are still multiple really nice and spread out spots with nice huge firepits. I would have been fine with parking and walking in. Also, I was in pretty deep and could still hear the cars on the highway, but not many come by (at least not on a Tuesday night). The creek is nice. Also tons of fireflies which was cool.

  • Bud D.
    Aug. 5, 2024

    Lookout Tower Road

    Fairly clean

    Less trash than most free camps. Multiple spots with plenty of room and not many bugs. Cell signal was strong in many places. Bike trails are worth using.

    Bring it in take it out, it's that easy.

  • Mack Daddy Van L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 26, 2025

    Dispersed Near Devils Den

    Great hidden spot by the water

    The coordinates are fairly accurate. The entryways are a little tight for vehicles, but I made it in my sprinter van so everything else should be just fine. Would’ve been a nearly perfect campsite. Had it not been for all the trash left by others. Nice walk trails along the water. Local stop in for swimming and fishing. Insect surprisingly weren’t that bad. Traffic from nearby road is almost nonexistent. Stay two nights no issues.

  • Chad K.
    Sep. 25, 2016

    Dam Site Campground at Fort Gibson

    Fort Gibson Lake

    The dam site campground is nice but crowded. The sites are packed together and leave little privacy. There is plenty to do around the area, fish, hike and explore. The people are nice and the camp host helped us out with firewood.

  • Michele E.
    Aug. 8, 2016

    Dam Site Campground at Fort Gibson

    The Dam site

    The dam site at Ft. Gibson lake it a great place. The view is awesome, and there is a lot to do. You can to the dam and fish for all kinds of fish, hike in the woods, swim up at the lake, or put your boat in for a cruise. The site hosts are great and very friendly. Lots of sites and lots of trees for shade.

  • Michelle T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Apr. 28, 2025

    Lookout Tower Road

    Perfect night out from Bentonville Arkansas

    We were in Bentonville, Arkansas and decided to take a gamble on this and it was about 40 minute drive when we got there. There was plenty of space for the dog to roam without getting into high grass where ticks would be festering and it was a sweet little private getaway for a night before driving on. We highly recommend. Starlink didn't work but Verizon did for phone calls only.

  • David M.
    Oct. 4, 2020

    Dam Site Campground at Fort Gibson

    A nice lake usually

    Fort Gibson Lake is a flood control lake so the water levels can fluctuate. Specifically the waters can rise to where boating ramps are not available. 2020 has been a good year (without excessive rain) and everything was open for the summer season. The east side of the lake is spring fed creeks and therefore cleaner and clearer. I grew up on this lake and it can be a fun place. Many people enjoy the summer here.

  • Chad C.
    Jun. 5, 2025

    Lookout Tower Road

    40 foot Bluebird Bus

    I managed to get our 40 foot Bluebird Bus up here. Nice spot well ish maintained.


Guide to Colcord

Dispersed camping options near Colcord, Oklahoma provide alternatives for campers seeking primitive outdoor experiences in northeastern Oklahoma and neighboring states. The area sits at the edge of the Ozark Highlands, with elevations ranging from 700-1,500 feet and heavily forested terrain. Weather conditions vary seasonally with hot, humid summers and mild winters, affecting accessibility to remote camping areas.

What to do

Water activities: At Dam Site Campground at Fort Gibson, campers can enjoy fishing, swimming, and boating. "You can to the dam and fish for all kinds of fish, hike in the woods, swim up at the lake, or put your boat in for a cruise," notes Michele E.

Hiking opportunities: Several dispersed camping areas feature trail access. At Dispersed Near Devils Den, there are "nice walk trails along the water" according to one visitor. The area serves as a "local stop in for swimming and fishing" as well.

Mountain biking: Some sites provide access to mountain biking trails. As Bud D. mentions about Lookout Tower Road, "Cell signal was strong in many places. Bike trails are worth using."

What campers like

Seclusion and privacy: Many dispersed sites offer separation from other campers. At Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area, visitors appreciate the remote setting. One camper described it as "Pretty remote. Quiet" and another noted it was a "Rarely used site! Nice woods."

Convenient access: Some free camping locations near Colcord provide easy accessibility. Emily S. describes Huckleberry Ridge Conservation Area as "Right off highway K! Coordinates looks like it drops you off at the middle of the road but there is a gravel drive. Brings you to a grass lot with a trail off of it."

Natural features: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound in these areas. One camper at Dispersed Near Devils Den mentioned "tons of fireflies which was cool" enhancing the camping experience.

What you should know

Access limitations: Many dispersed camping roads have restrictions or challenges. Regarding Dispersed Near Devils Den, Lauren warns: "the forest service does NOT allow cars to drive on these roads anymore, and that is why they added guard rails. They told me that camping is fine as long as you park on the turnout by the highway and walk in."

Connectivity considerations: Cell service varies widely between sites. Michelle T. notes about Lookout Tower Road: "Starlink didn't work but Verizon did for phone calls only."

Space constraints: Some areas have limited capacity. At Lee Creek Off Road Site, Kurt G. indicates it's "a good public land spot with just enough space for two car campers."

Tips for camping with families

Safety precautions: Water features require vigilance with children. One camper at Fort Gibson Lake shares that it's "a flood control lake so the water levels can fluctuate. Specifically the waters can rise to where boating ramps are not available."

Wildlife awareness: Be prepared for insects in warmer months. At Dispersed Near Devils Den, one visitor noted "Insect surprisingly weren't that bad" but conditions may vary seasonally.

Noise considerations: Road noise affects some sites more than others. At Lee Creek Off Road Site, a camper mentions it's "Right off the main road, you can still hear the traffic, but it's not a lot of traffic."

Tips from RVers

Size limitations: Vehicle size restrictions apply at most dispersed sites. Chad C. reports successfully navigating a "40 foot Bluebird Bus" to Lookout Tower Road, describing it as a "Nice spot well ish maintained."

Road conditions: Access roads may be problematic during wet weather. Lauren describes getting stuck at Dispersed Near Devils Den: "I made it to a puddle of water (that I highly underestimated), got stuck in the mud immediately and had to call a tow company... to help pull me out for $400."

Site selection: Finding appropriate parking can be challenging. Kurt G. notes about Lee Creek Off Road Site: "I don't think a bus would fit but my 21ft. van was mostly a tight fit."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Colcord, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Colcord, OK is Lookout Tower Road with a 5-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Colcord, OK?

TheDyrt.com has all 5 dispersed camping locations near Colcord, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.