Chickasaw National Recreation Area offers natural cold spring waters that maintain a consistent 65°F temperature year-round. The 9,888-acre recreation area sits at the foothills of the Arbuckle Mountains with elevation ranging from 900 to 1,050 feet. Camp amenities vary across the park's multiple campgrounds with both primitive sites and developed facilities available.
What to do
Explore historical structures: The park contains stone structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, including a castle-like formation that's accessible via hiking trails. "We took a trip to Turner Falls and put our feet in the water. Climbed to the castle," notes Myra P. from Buckhorn Campground.
Discover natural caves: Lesser-known features include hidden caves throughout the park's limestone formations. "There is even a cave in an off the trail area back behind the bathrooms at the waterfall. Stay in the wash out area and hike up a ways and than off to your left you climb this hill rock boulder up to the cave," explains Tyler S. from Turner Falls Park.
Attend educational programs: Park rangers offer scheduled educational activities throughout peak season. "For fun we went to one of the ranger lectures about nocturnal wildlife," shares Dusty G. from Buckhorn Campground, who found the "trails are nice, long, and there is water in some areas."
Fish in multiple locations: Lake of the Arbuckles provides year-round fishing opportunities with active fish jumping early mornings. "We caught 3 catfish and 2 crappie. Water was much clearer than other lakes I have been to in Oklahoma," reports Darrin L. about fishing near the campgrounds.
What campers like
Crystal clear water: The spring-fed waterways maintain exceptional clarity compared to other Oklahoma water bodies. "Swimming is amazing, you can play in springs and waterfalls," explains Lynn G., while another camper mentions the water is "cold and refreshing after hiking in the heat."
Fall and spring camping: Off-season visits allow for more solitude and comfortable temperatures. "We stayed at Rock Creek on a Girl Scout family camping outing. The area is nice—lots of tree cover, which is essential in OK's hot summers and early falls," shares Mandy K. from Rock Creek Campground.
Nocturnal wildlife viewing: Evening hours bring increased wildlife activity around campsites. "If you are as 'lucky' as we were, you will have giant raccoons as a nightly visitor," notes Tom K. from Buckhorn Campground, while another camper reported: "When the sun starts setting the wildlife start to appear. 3 deer passed right by our campsite with no fear."
Well-maintained facilities: The park's restroom facilities receive consistent praise. "The bathrooms are amazingly well kept as are the showers. You need to bring your own soap," advises one camper, while another notes "Bathrooms were very clean and the solar showers rocked!"
What you should know
Reservation vs. first-come sites: Different campgrounds have different reservation systems. "We drove down Thursday night to try to snag a FCFS site. We drove first to Buckhorn but almost every site was full... We found all of the tent sites at The Point were empty," explains Erin-Frannie R., noting weekend crowding patterns differ between campgrounds.
Wildlife precautions: Insects and wildlife require preparation. "We had to rake away all the brush from our campsite," mentions one camper, while another warns "Chiggers are horrible this time of year." Teresa S. at Cold Springs notes: "Our site was infested with ticks. We're leaving early because of this."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies throughout the park. "There is NO cell or internet signal other than one sweet spot by the bathrooms, so you may get a surge of texts and missed call notifications while you're doing your business," advises one camper.
Campsite selection strategy: Not all sites are created equal. "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!" advises Nashoba_tohbi from Buckhorn Campground. Another camper warns: "Just beware if you are camping in an RV, the site is VERY unlevel!"
Tips for camping with families
Junior Ranger program: Children can participate in free educational 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," explains Mandy K. from Rock Creek Campground.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some facilities include family-focused recreation options. At Arbuckle RV Resort, Nicole S. found "So much for the whole family to do. Crystal clear swimming pool, large playground, zip line, treehouse, ninja warrior course, dog run area, volleyball, horseshoes, large area to relax on outdoor furniture and hammocks."
Safety gear for water play: Appropriate footwear makes water activities more enjoyable. "Beautiful area, just be sure to bring water shoes!" advises one camper after exploring the natural waterways.
Morning water activities: Plan water play early to avoid crowds. "Nearby swimming areas at Little Niagara and Travertine Creek were very packed during the day, so we only visited during the early morning when the water was very cold," recommends Jasmine M.
Tips for RVers with pets
Generator hours: Be aware of campground power restrictions when planning pet comfort. "The generator hours are 7AM-9AM, 7PM-9PM. We didn't hear a single generator over our 4 days there," notes one RVer staying at The Point campground with pets.
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites require significant leveling equipment. "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," warns Gina H. about Buckhorn Campground, something pet owners should consider when setting up.
Water accessibility: Campsites with convenient water access benefit pet owners. "If you get there early there are some great sites with water access," recommends Blake L. about Cold Springs Campground, making pet hydration and cleanup easier.
