Campsites near Davis, Oklahoma are nestled within the Arbuckle Mountain region at elevations between 900-1,400 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with fall temperatures ranging from 40-70°F, making September through November an ideal camping period with reduced crowds. Most campgrounds close to Davis operate on creek-fed water systems that maintain consistent 65°F temperatures year-round regardless of ambient weather conditions.
What to do
Swimming in spring-fed creeks: At Cold Springs Campground, visitors can enjoy the natural swimming areas along Travertine Creek. "This spot is a local favorite. The natural spring water is crystal clear and ice cold. The sometimes fast flowing creek offers several beautiful waterfalls you can perch up on and forget about the summer sun," notes Jessica W.
Explore historic structures: The castle ruins at Turner Falls provide unique exploration opportunities. "Be sure to take the time to explore 'the castle' it is Huge and if you can make it to the top you'll be rewarded with a view," recommends Natalee F.
Hiking on less-traveled paths: The Point Campground offers access to secluded trails where wildlife is common. "When the sun starts setting the wildlife start to appear. 3 deer passed right by our campsite with no fear. And I watched a family of squirrels having a good day in a tree we had our tarp tied to," shares Erin-Frannie R.
Visit cultural sites: The nearby Chickasaw Cultural Center provides educational programming just minutes from camping areas. "We were honored to dance with the local Indians," reports Myra P., who camped at Buckhorn Campground.
What campers like
Tent site privacy: The tent-only areas at The Point Campground offer excellent seclusion. "The tent sites are walk-in, not too far from the parking spots. Each are pretty secluded and quiet," writes Erin-Frannie R.
Clean facilities: Rock Creek Campground maintains well-kept bathrooms and grounds. "The restrooms are clean, and the campgrounds are mostly clean. Leave no trace, y'all! Pack in, pack out! There are extremely convenient trash and recycling bins throughout the area and campgrounds," notes Mandy K.
Night sky viewing: Clear skies and minimal light pollution create excellent stargazing conditions. "The skies were full of stars and it was pleasant hearing water rush over the falls while going to sleep," says Bendee Z. from Cold Springs Campground.
Diverse camping options: Sites range from open to heavily wooded. "We have always stayed in the north end of The Point, the bathrooms are good and not that far of a walk. I really like that the camp sites are not close together and well treed," explains Jon B.
What you should know
High season crowds: Summer weekends bring significant visitor numbers. "Incredible when there's no crowds. As everyone else has said, crowds here are the worst. Don't go on weekends. It simply won't be worth it. Sneak a day off and go middle of the week," advises Natalee F. about Turner Falls Park.
Payment systems: Most campgrounds have modernized payment methods. "The pay kiosk has to be one of my favorites at a site as it takes debit cards and is very easy to operate," reports Crystal C. about Cold Springs Campground.
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds operate limited schedules. "Camped one night here the first week of May 2019, and was the only camper in this camp ground. It was great with a little abandoned feel to it. The camp host was a little grumpy, and the season had just started," mentions Jon B.
Wildlife encounters: Expect various wildlife including insects. "Our site was infested with ticks. We're leaving early because of this. (We brought the dog) other than that, it's a great place," warns Teresa S.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly swimming spots: Multiple designated areas provide safe water play. "The swimming holes can be crowded. Sometimes they close things when the water is too high. Awesome springs for swimming!" shares Lynn G. who visited Buckhorn Campground.
Educational programs: Take advantage of ranger-led activities. "Don't forget: kids can take part in the FREE Junior Ranger program through the Travertine Center. Upon completion of a super easy and informative booklet, kiddos are sworn in as junior ranger and receive a patch and a badge," recommends Mandy K.
Family-specific campgrounds: Central Campground is well-suited for groups with children. "We stayed at site 71 and it was just an amazing site. It's got the benefit of being the last site on the walk up trail so you get a lot of space to play around! Bathrooms were very clean and the solar showers rocked!" reports Nashoba_tohbi.
Activity options: Diverse facilities keep children engaged. "Just the wife and I, but there are lots of activities for young kids. A couple fishing ponds, small ziplines, large checkers & connect four games, hammocks, picnic areas," notes Frank S. who stayed at Arbuckle RV Resort.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven parking. "We stayed at Loop C site 56. Great view of the lake, clean restrooms and showers! Campground hosts were friendly and helpful! Just beware if you are camping in an RV, the site is VERY unlevel! We were in a pop up camper and had one tire up off the ground at least 6 inches with our Baleveler," advises Gina H. at Buckhorn Campground.
Generator restrictions: Plan for limited power usage times. "On the topic of RVs… The generator hours are 7AM-9AM, 7PM-9PM. We didn't hear a single generator over our 4 days there," mentions Erin-Frannie R. about The Point Campground.
RV park alternatives: For full hookups near Davis, private options exist. "This is a beautiful COE campground on the Lake of the Arbuckles near Sulphur, OK in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area. There's a variety of tent and RV sites from lakeside to sites enclosed in trees. 50, 30, 20 amp service with water, mostly level and easy to back-in," explains Randy about The Point Campground.
