Best Dispersed Camping near Coleman, OK

The Coleman, Oklahoma area features primitive camping options centered around water access, with Blue River Camp offering dispersed sites for both tent and RV campers. Located in southeastern Oklahoma, Blue River Camp provides waterfront sites along the Blue River with natural features including boulder formations and swimming areas. Nearby in Texas, the Cross Timbers Trail along Lake Texoma shores offers primitive backcountry camping at sites like 5 Mile Camp and Eagle's Roost Campsite, accessible primarily by hiking or walking in. These dispersed camping areas provide a more remote experience while still being relatively accessible from Coleman.

Permits and licenses are required for most camping in the region. Blue River Camp requires either a hunting/fishing license or a wildlife conservation passport, which currently costs $51 for a 3-day pass. As one camper noted, "To enter the grounds you need a hunting/fishing license or a 3-day wildlife conservation passport." Access varies by location, with Blue River Camp featuring gravel roads that may challenge low-clearance vehicles. Visitors report navigation challenges, with one camper sharing, "When I arrived at the location to which my GPS directed me, I was a little concerned that there was just a building with bathrooms and three large dumpsters off to the side." Some access points to 5 Mile Camp have reported issues with private property and no trespassing signs.

Waterfront camping represents the primary draw for visitors to the Coleman area. Blue River Camp features Hughes Crossing, described by one camper as "a waterfall that you can drive over" that "is perfect for swimming." The water quality receives positive reviews, with campers noting it is "amazing and clean" with "a bit of green algae, but otherwise clear and refreshing." Weekday visits typically offer more solitude, as one visitor mentioned, "We went on a Tuesday so there wasn't anyone else there." The Cross Timbers Trail camping areas provide what one camper called an "amazing backcountry feel on Lake Texoma shores," with Eagle's Roost Campsite situated "on a wooded peninsula along a spur that overlooks the lake" where "birds flock over and it's far enough away from the freeway that it's quiet."

Best Dispersed Sites Near Coleman, Oklahoma (3)

    1. Blue River Camp

    5 Reviews
    Milburn, OK
    11 miles

    "When I arrived at the location to which my GPS directed me, I was a little concerned that there was just a building with bathrooms and three large dumpsters off to the side."

    "There was so many campsites and they were all well maintained and flat. There is a huge flashing sign going into the area telling every adult to have a fishing/hunting license."

    2. 5 Mile Camp Primitive Dispersed Camping

    3 Reviews
    Gordonville, TX
    39 miles
    Website

    "I stayed in my hammock and buddy in his tent back in Nov 2019. Stopped just before a cold front with rain hit and built a fire."

    "Amazing backcountry feel on Lake Texoma shores. Come prepared it's fully primitive but there are spots all up and down the Cross Timbers Trail you can either boat or backpack too."

    3. Eagle’s Roost Campsite

    1 Review
    Gordonville, TX
    39 miles

    "Cross Timber’s Trail is technical for the region and is a 14 mile point to point trail along the shore of Lake Texoma."

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Recent Free Dispersed Camping Photos near Coleman, OK

7 Photos of 3 Coleman Campgrounds


Dispersed Camping Reviews near Coleman, OK

9 Reviews of 3 Coleman Campgrounds


  • mThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 6, 2024

    5 Mile Camp Primitive Dispersed Camping

    No trespassing and dog warning signs

    The coordinates bring you to what looks like a driveway that has signs for no trespassing and beware of dogs. After looking at the map, it looks like that’s the only way to get back there, so I’m assuming the homeowner who shares that road put those signs to keep people away.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2023

    Blue River Camp

    Pleasant Surprise!😃

     When I arrived at the location to which my GPS directed me, I was a little concerned that there was just a building with bathrooms and three large dumpsters off to the side.

    If I had a been brave enough to drive my little Mustang down the gravel path that was on the opposite side of the road leading away from the restrooms, I would have found waterfront campsites along the Blue River, large boulder, formations to climb, and beautiful views.

    What I did, though, was continue down the road I had a been on and found a large dirt parking lot. There were fire pits and designated camping set up along one side of the parking lot, which seemed a little weird.

    There was a gravel road on the opposite side of the parking lot that led to the RV camping and a couple of tent sites along that road, so I chose one. The campsite was secluded with several paths that lead down to the river. 

    What I found to be the best part of this area was Hughes Crossing! It’s a waterfall that you can drive over. I did not attempt this in the mustang, but watched several trucks easily pass over.

    Not only is there a beautiful little waterfall that also substitutes as a bridge, but the area is perfect for swimming. There is a bit of green algae, but it is otherwise clear and refreshing.

    The only downside was the amount of trash that people had left. I think I might make it a new goal to try to carry out at least one or two grocery bags worth of other people’s trash so that I can hopefully leave places better than I found them.

  • Shane W.
    Mar. 10, 2021

    5 Mile Camp Primitive Dispersed Camping

    Hammock or tent

    Good spot. I stayed in my hammock and buddy in his tent back in Nov 2019. Stopped just before a cold front with rain hit and built a fire. Found a long sheet of tent to reflect the heat so had a great time hiking in.

  • Ryan H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 2, 2020

    5 Mile Camp Primitive Dispersed Camping

    Remote feel close to home

    Amazing backcountry feel on Lake Texoma shores. Come prepared it's fully primitive but there are spots all up and down the Cross Timbers Trail you can either boat or backpack too.

  • Carrie T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 25, 2024

    Blue River Camp

    Beautiful river

    The water was amazing and clean. We went on a Tuesday so there wasn’t any one else there. We did some awesome exploring up and down the river. There was so many campsites and they were all well maintained and flat. There is a huge flashing sign going into the area telling every adult to have a fishing/hunting license. The fishing however is not good. We stayed for 3 days and fished the whole time with no luck. There’s a really neat little spot south of the dam with a rope swing.

  • Wesley H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 13, 2025

    Blue River Camp

    Very peaceful

    Easy access for our class c, very scenic river water falls

  • Kelly G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2021

    Eagle’s Roost Campsite

    Favorite campsite on entire Cross Timber’s Trail

    Cross Timber’s Trail is technical for the region and is a 14 mile point to point trail along the shore of Lake Texoma. It’s on army Corps Of Engineers Land and there are many free walk/hike in first come first serve campsites. But this is my favorite!!!! It’s way up on a wooded peninsula along a spur that overlooks the lake. Birds flock over and it’s far enough away from the freeway that it’s quiet (with the exception of the occasional fishing boat). The trail is more technical than most in the vicinity and is a great place to do a gear shake down and train for those longer through hikes in more mountainous regions.

  • NThe Dyrt PRO User
    Mar. 5, 2024

    Blue River Camp

    Camping on the Blue River

    Gorgeous.

  • lThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 29, 2024

    Blue River Camp

    Not free camping

    To enter the grounds you need a hunting/fishing license or a 3day wildlife conservation passport. The passport is for any activity on the grounds, excluding hunting or fishing and they are $51 currently.


Guide to Coleman

Dispersed camping sites near Coleman, Oklahoma offer primitive experiences where visitors can access natural water features. During summer months, temperatures average 92-95°F with high humidity, while spring and fall provide milder conditions in the 70-85°F range. The area sits at approximately 700 feet elevation with terrain characterized by rolling hills, mixed hardwood forests, and prominent water features including rivers and lake access points.

What to do

Explore riverside terrain: At Blue River Camp, visitors can investigate the natural rock formations along the water's edge. One camper shared their experience: "Gorgeous," noting the simple beauty of the riverside setting. The camp offers multiple spots for climbing on boulders and exploring shallow areas of the river.

Hiking opportunities: Eagle's Roost Campsite provides access to the Cross Timber's Trail, which one visitor described as "technical for the region and is a 14 mile point to point trail along the shore of Lake Texoma." The trail system allows campers to experience the lake from various vantage points while getting exercise.

Swimming spots: Natural swimming holes form throughout the Blue River area, particularly during spring and summer. The Hughes Crossing area creates ideal swimming conditions, with one visitor noting there's "a really neat little spot south of the dam with a rope swing." Water levels fluctuate seasonally, so spring visits often provide the best swimming opportunities.

What campers like

Secluded waterfront sites: 5 Mile Camp Primitive Dispersed Camping provides isolation along Lake Texoma. A camper noted, "Good spot. I stayed in my hammock and buddy in his tent back in Nov 2019. Stopped just before a cold front with rain hit and built a fire." This rustic camping area near Coleman provides opportunities for both hammock and tent setups.

Wildlife viewing: The wooded areas around Eagle's Roost Campsite offer excellent bird watching. According to one visitor, "Birds flock over and it's far enough away from the freeway that it's quiet (with the exception of the occasional fishing boat)." Morning hours provide the best opportunities for wildlife observation.

Uncrowded weekday camping: Blue River Camp experiences significant visitor fluctuations between weekdays and weekends. One camper noted the difference in their experience: "We went on a Tuesday so there wasn't any one else there. We did some awesome exploring up and down the river." Midweek visits from April through October generally offer more solitude.

What you should know

License requirements: A hunting/fishing license or conservation passport is mandatory for Blue River Camp. One recent visitor clarified the current situation: "The passport is for any activity on the grounds, excluding hunting or fishing and they are $51 currently." These passes must be obtained before arrival as there is no on-site purchase option.

Navigation challenges: Finding some dispersed camping areas requires careful planning. For 5 Mile Camp, one visitor warned: "The coordinates bring you to what looks like a driveway that has signs for no trespassing and beware of dogs." Alternative access points may be necessary for certain primitive camping areas.

Site maintenance: Primitive camping areas have minimal management oversight. One Blue River Camp visitor observed: "The only downside was the amount of trash that people had left." Bringing extra trash bags to pack out waste is strongly recommended for all rustic camping near Coleman.

Tips for camping with families

Flat campsite selection: Blue River Camp offers numerous level sites suitable for family camping. One visitor observed: "There was so many campsites and they were all well maintained and flat." Sites closest to parking areas provide easier access for families with young children.

Water safety precautions: The Blue River contains variable water depths and currents that change seasonally. A visitor described the water as "amazing and clean" but noted "a bit of green algae," indicating the need for water shoes and supervision for children.

Trail difficulty considerations: When planning hikes with children on the Cross Timbers Trail, note that it's described by experienced hikers as "more technical than most in the vicinity." Cross Timbers Trail sections closest to established access points offer shorter, more manageable hikes for families.

Tips from RVers

Access road conditions: RV access to Blue River Camp requires navigating gravel roads that may present challenges. One camper mentioned: "If I had a been brave enough to drive my little Mustang down the gravel path... I would have found waterfront campsites." Larger RVs should exercise caution, particularly after rainfall.

Site selection for larger vehicles: While Blue River Camp is marked as big-rig friendly, larger RVs should arrive early to secure suitable spots. Most favorable RV sites are located in the main camping area rather than along the more primitive riverside spots.

Limited amenities: RVers should note that rustic camping areas provide minimal facilities. One visitor to Blue River Camp described finding only "a building with bathrooms and three large dumpsters off to the side" at the entrance area, indicating the need for complete self-sufficiency.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Coleman, OK is Blue River Camp with a 4.2-star rating from 5 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 3 dispersed camping locations near Coleman, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.