Cabin camping near Depew, Oklahoma provides options within an area characterized by rolling prairies, oak-hickory forests, and the Arkansas River watershed. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F, while winter nights can drop below freezing, affecting cabin availability and amenities. Several lakes surround the area, creating diverse camping environments from secluded woodland settings to lakefront locations.
What to do
Hiking trails: Lake McMurtry West Campground offers multiple trail systems for various skill levels. "There are many nice hiking trails," notes one visitor who particularly recommends sites #11 and #12 for their access to both hiking and water activities.
Water activities: Lake Carl Blackwell provides boat rentals and fishing opportunities. A camper mentions, "The lake has cabin, R.V., and tent spot rentals along with kayak and golf cart rentals at the gas station/convenient store by the lake."
Wildlife viewing: Bear Glen cabins offer opportunities for wildlife observation. According to one camper, this "beautiful little hidden gem" provides excellent spots "out on the beach" where visitors can observe local birds and wildlife in a natural setting.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Keystone State Park Campground offers well-spaced cabin accommodations. "The fully modern sites have nice, level concrete pads with picnic tables and grills," explains a camper who appreciated the layout and amenities.
Clean facilities: Campers consistently note the cleanliness of cabin options. At Lake McMurtry, visitors appreciate that "campgrounds are very clean, quiet, and offer privacy" with convenient access to hiking/mountain biking trails and shower facilities.
Winter camping options: Three Ponds Community provides year-round cabin experiences. A solo traveler notes, "There is currently no running water due to colder temperatures. But once it warms water is on site. The land is beautiful and firewood is provided for a small fee."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance booking, especially during peak seasons. At Lake McMurtry, a camper warns about availability: "The only con is it is hard to get reservation. They have a very nice online reservation system, but the campsites fill up quickly and pretty far out date wise."
Road conditions: Access roads to some cabin areas can be challenging. A visitor to Lake McMurtry West Campground noted, "The road access to this campground is probably the worst that I have experienced... the last several miles to this campground are incredibly rough."
Amenity variations: Cabin facilities differ significantly between locations. Some offer bare-bones accommodations while others provide more comforts. At Oaklake Trails Naturist Park, visitors note "two swimming pools, a very nice restaurant, tennis, pickleball... recreation rooms a meeting hall" among other amenities.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Checotah-Lake Eufaula KOA offers family-friendly amenities. One visitor notes they have "clean bathrooms, short trail walk to lake, a donkey, geese, a park for the kiddos, and a little c store to get some extras you may need."
Swimming areas: Keystone State Park features designated swimming areas for families. A camper mentions, "Many family's go here for the shore line swimming and boating opportunities," though they caution the facilities haven't been extensively updated.
Kid-friendly fishing: Several cabin locations offer fishing opportunities for children. At Keystone State Park, one visitor mentions a "children's fishing pond" that can be accessed via the Ranger trail, making it an ideal activity for families.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Sparks America Campgrounds receives positive reviews for their cabin and RV options. A visitor notes, "The grounds was very clean the bathrooms was totally clean easy to get to overall a great experience."
Seasonal considerations: Cabin availability and amenities vary by season. Winter visitors should call ahead to confirm operational status, as some facilities reduce services. During summer, high temperatures may affect comfort levels in cabins without air conditioning.
Hookup options: Many locations offer cabins adjacent to RV sites with full hookups. Checotah KOA features "water, electric, sewer, all available, fire pits, clean restrooms for showering" according to a satisfied camper, making it suitable for those who prefer cabin camping with RV amenities nearby.
