Robbers Cave State Park offers more than just equestrian camping facilities. Located in southeastern Oklahoma, the park spans over 8,000 acres in the San Bois Mountains at elevations between 750-1,500 feet. The terrain includes rocky outcroppings, dense pine forests, and multiple water features. Campground temperatures vary seasonally with summer highs reaching 95°F and winter lows dropping to 25°F.
What to do
Cave exploration: The namesake Robbers Cave trail leads to historic hideouts used by outlaws including Jesse James Gang and Belle Starr. The 3/4-mile trail involves steep, rocky terrain with significant drop-offs. At Robbers Cave State Park, one visitor noted, "The hike was worth every hair raising nervous parent moment" while searching for "the elusive robbers."
Lake activities: Multiple water access points provide swimming and fishing opportunities. Lake Carlton features designated swimming areas with rocky drop-off entrances. "We spent two afternoons swimming in Lake Carlton. The designated swim area has a very rocky drop-off for an entrance, but once out it was very nice swimming," reports a camper who enjoyed jumping off the concrete pier along the swim ropes.
Trout fishing: At Taylor Ferry Campground, anglers catch catfish directly from the rock pier. "We caught some catfish right off the rock peer. Gate keepers were wonderful and very helpful," a visitor shared. The trout stream below Tenkiller Dam provides year-round fishing as one of only two year-round trout fisheries in Oklahoma.
What campers like
Quiet weekday camping: Visiting during weekdays offers more privacy and less traffic through campsites. A camper at Robbers Cave mentioned that their site was "only about 5 feet off the main campground road. This could be a problem if the park was busy and there is a lot of traffic. Lucky for us we were camping through the week and this was not an issue."
Water sports options: Beyond swimming, many campgrounds offer boat and equipment rentals. At Chicken Creek Campground, visitors enjoy Lake Tenkiller's clear waters for scuba diving. "Lake Tenkiller is an amazing location to scuba dive. Its waters are clear and cool from a distance of 8 to 28 feet. A diver will have the opportunity to investigate a sunken airplane fuselage, school bus, helicopter and two boats."
Seasonal ranger programs: Parks offer structured activities throughout the week during peak seasons. "The Oklahoma Park staff were very knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to answer any of my questions. Also when you get to camp they will give you a schedule of all the events that are going on throughout the week you are staying."
What you should know
Shower house conditions: Bathroom facilities vary widely in quality and cleanliness. At Robbers Cave, "The bathroom and shower house is located in the middle of the old circle loop. The structure is very old and very dated stone structure, where you might find frogs sitting on shower curtains, spiders, and lizards."
Gate hours: Some campgrounds restrict after-hours access. At Chicken Creek Campground, "Entrance gate will be closed during quiet hours 10:00 pm - 6:00 am." Plan arrivals accordingly to avoid being locked out.
Wildlife encounters: Horse campgrounds near Eufaula Lake and surrounding areas have active wildlife populations. "We saw some really interesting paw prints and found a bunch of fish skeletons. One was an Alligator Gar and the rest were catfish of different types," reported a camper at Taylor Ferry Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Miniature golf: Family-friendly recreation options include mini-golf courses. At Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA, "We didn't get to use the playground area this visit as pool and hot tub were closed for the year. They also have normal cabin rental and tiny home rentals that were perfectly positioned around campground and fishing pond."
Ranger-led activities: Several parks offer structured programs for children. Robbers Cave provides "a hayride that led us through the park to the stables where there is a petting zoo, we saw the second largest pine tree in Oklahoma, and drank water from an artesian well. They also had a campfire with stories and smores one night, a cane pole fishing class, and even a tour of Lake Carlton by canoe."
Trail difficulty awareness: When hiking with children, carefully assess trail ratings. "We tried a few trails but were too hard for us. We have a daughter with cerebral palsy that we pull in a wagon and the trails were too rough for the wagon," noted one visitor about the accessibility challenges at Robbers Cave.
Tips from RVers
Campsite selection strategy: At Little Turtle RV & Storage near Eufaula, "The camp itself was clean and the hooks ups were pretty easy." For more privacy at Robbers Cave State Park, consider the Old Circle Campground where sites typically offer more seclusion than Whispering Pines.
Water quality considerations: Water quality varies by location. "I do advise having a water filter system on your rig," warns a camper at Taylor Ferry Campground, where seasonal lake level fluctuations can affect water clarity.
Dump station availability: Not all equestrian campgrounds near Eufaula Lake offer full hookups. Taylor Ferry has "two dump stations" but "no sewer connections," while others might have limited electrical amperage options. One visitor noted, "They are limited on sites with 50amps" at Chicken Creek Campground.
