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."
