Tent camping near Eagletown, Oklahoma offers access to the Kiamichi River watershed and portions of the Ouachita Mountains with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,600 feet. The region receives approximately 54 inches of annual rainfall, creating lush forested conditions. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F between June and September, while spring and fall provide milder camping conditions with average daytime temperatures in the 70s.
What to do
Water activities at Cossatot River: Campers at Cossatot Falls Campsites can access rock formations for swimming and wading. "The water is crystal clear and you can watch fish swim by. The surrounding foliage is beautiful," reports one visitor.
Hiking Eagle Rock Loop: The 28-30 mile trail near Albert Pike Recreation Area offers challenging terrain with river crossings. A camper notes, "Lots of water crossings over the Little Missouri River. Area is prone to severe flash flooding so know the weather before heading out."
Rock exploration: The boulder formations at Cossatot Falls provide natural climbing opportunities. "It's not for the faint of heart or people avoiding physical activity because trekking the huge river boulders is not easy. But the beauty is worth it," advises a camper.
What campers like
Private tent sites: Sandbar Area Campsites offers relative seclusion in the off-season. "The campsites are relatively private, we pretty much had the campground to ourselves until after the first night," mentions one camper.
Spacious tent pads: Many visitors appreciate the large camping surfaces at Cossatot Falls. "The tent pads were huge and the waterfall area was beautiful. Our children enjoyed climbing on the rocks and splashing in the river," notes one review.
Lakeside access: Coyote Drive Campground offers shoreline access for fishing and relaxing. One camper reports, "Super nice lake, no parking at campsite for coyote but can park about 15-50ft away, pretty peaceful to walk the shoreline."
What you should know
Gravel road access: Many campgrounds require driving on unpaved roads. At Sandbar Area Campsites, "There are several miles of driving on a gravel forest road between the main highway and the campgrounds."
Limited facilities: Most tent sites feature basic amenities only. At Bluejay campground, sites are "well shaded" but have limited services according to reviews.
Weather considerations: Flash flooding risks affect camping safety in this region. The Albert Pike Recreation Area was permanently closed to overnight camping after a devastating flood in 2010, though surrounding areas remain open for primitive camping.
Limited reservations: Many tent sites operate on first-come, first-served basis. At Sandbar Area Campsites, "you can't make reservations, they are all first come first serve and you pay at your site."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming holes: The Cossatot River offers natural swimming areas suitable for supervised children. One camper mentioned "Our children enjoyed climbing on the rocks and splashing in the river."
Tent site selection: For families seeking more privacy at Grasshopper Campground, be aware that weekend fishing activity creates noise. "It cost us 16 USD and was really noisy because of all the boats that came fishing in the weekend," notes one camper.
Pet considerations: While many campgrounds allow pets, rules vary. At Sandbar Area Campsites, "We camped with our dog Lulu, the sites are pet friendly and she had fun in the water too. There is an abundance of wild life, keep an eye for snakes and ticks!"
Tips from RVers
Limited RV access: Most campgrounds near Eagletown prioritize tent camping with few RV accommodations. Albert Pike area offers some roadside pulloffs suitable for smaller RVs seeking primitive camping.
Generator restrictions: Noise policies vary between campgrounds. At Cossatot Falls, one camper noted an issue with disruptions: "They did allow generators which is unfortunate because the river is so close. Part of what we love about camping is being in nature and hearing the sounds around us."
Water access points: When camping with an RV near water features, be prepared for walking. At Coyote Drive Campground, parking is "about 15-50ft away" from the actual campsites according to visitor experiences.
