Salt Plains State Park and surrounding campgrounds near Enid, Oklahoma offer diverse camping experiences in a region characterized by unique salt flats, winding rivers, and prairie landscapes. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 1,100-1,300 feet with hot summers reaching 95°F+ and mild spring and fall temperatures in the 60-70°F range. Dog-friendly options range from waterside primitive sites to full-hookup RV parks.
What to do
Crystal digging adventures: Visit the Salt Plains' crystal digging area between April and October. "The Great Salt Plains is great place to go for an adventure. You could spend hours just digging up the crystals on the salt plains. I would absolutely recommend everyone to spend the weekend here just relaxing and having a ton of fun," shares Alyn M. from Salt Plains State Park Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Cast your line in multiple area lakes known for catfish. "Catfish are abundant and LARGE. Lake is fairly shallow," notes Dana H. about Salt Plains. At Lake McMurtry, one camper observed, "Heard/saw fish hitting the water often was not able to catch any. The water access in this site is a path through the grass that grows at the edge of the water, the bottom is sandy."
Birdwatching excursions: Observe migratory birds at Salt Plains Wildlife Refuge, especially during spring and fall seasons. "Great hiking and great birdwatching," mentions Lisa M. The area serves as a migration stop for whooping cranes from mid-October through March, which is why crystal digging closes during this period.
Multi-use trail systems: Explore hiking and biking trails at Lake McMurtry West Campground, located about an hour from Enid. "There are many nice hiking trails," notes a reviewer. Another adds, "Lake McMurtry is the perfect little escape though, taking you through winding mountain bike paths and down to the water."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: Many dog-friendly campgrounds near Enid offer peaceful settings. "Each time, even during the summer season, I have to say this is the quietest lake I've ever been to. Now, I can't say it's always that way, but it was when I was there," shares Dana H. about Great Salt Plains State Park.
Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain well-kept amenities. At Ashley Lane RV Park, one visitor noted, "We've stayed there twice. Clean and relatively quiet depending on amount of campsites filled." At Roman Nose State Park, a camper mentioned, "The RV Camp sites were very clean and the cleaning staff that were there when we went were very friendly."
River camping spots: Sites along waterways provide shade and water access. "This is our second time staying here and it's always so peaceful and quiet. Several spots are butted up right against the river with lots of shade trees," reports Lisa M. about Salt Plains State Park Campground.
Spacious campsites: Many parks offer ample room between sites. At Lake McMurtry, "Camgrounds are very clean, quiet, and offer privacy. Close to hiking/mtb trails and the west side has showers," according to Vanessa M.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Connectivity can be spotty at some campgrounds. One camper at Salt River Road reported, "No cell service around the park at all. No over the air tv. Great place to bring your kids if you want them to put the phones down and spend quality time with you."
Weather considerations: The plains region experiences strong winds and storms. At Roman Nose State Park, a visitor experienced "a wild storm the night I arrived, making for an indescribly sublime sunrise."
Reservation requirements: Some parks require advance bookings. At Lake McMurtry, "They have a very nice online reservation system, but the campsites fill up quickly and pretty far out date wise."
Road conditions: Access to certain campgrounds can be challenging. One camper at Lake McMurtry 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."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water access: Look for dog-friendly campgrounds with gradual water entries. "The lake has cabin, RV, and tent spot rentals along with kayak and golf cart rentals at the gas station/convenient store by the lake," notes Dana H. about Lake Carl Blackwell, which offers family-friendly water access points.
Educational activities: Plan around crystal digging for a unique family experience. "It's a great activity for kids. But there is no shade and it can get hot and windy so bring water and sunscreen," advises Richard about Salt Plains State Park.
Playground availability: Some campgrounds offer play areas for children. "Showers and flushing toilets and a playground are nearby," mentions Lisa M. about Salt Plains State Park, making it a convenient choice for families with dogs and children.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Kids can spot various animals at area campgrounds. "Deer, beavers, armadillo, birds!" reports Kelly G. about their stay at Lake Carl Blackwell.
Tips from RVers
Level site options: Look for campgrounds with flat parking areas. At Perry Lake Campground, "There are maybe 10 pull-through spots long enough to accommodate most, if not all. Full hookups including electric, water, and sewer available."
Hookup availability: Check for power options if needed. At Sooner's Corner RV Park, "Nice level concrete pads (pull through) made getting setup easy. Full hook ups so our tanks were dumped when we left," shares James B.
Site spacing concerns: Some RV parks have limited separation between sites. "The spots are spaced close together with about a 4 ft median of grass between," notes a camper about Perry Lake Campground, though they added it "wasn't a busy place."
Low clearance warnings: Watch for obstacles when driving larger rigs. At Roman Nose State Park, a visitor cautions, "Be careful of low hanging branches if you have a taller RV."
