Fort Sill, Oklahoma sits at an elevation of 1,188 feet in the foothills of the Wichita Mountains, a 500-million-year-old range that stands in stark contrast to the surrounding plains. This military installation covers over 94,000 acres, with camping options scattered around its perimeter and in nearby areas. Summer temperatures commonly exceed 100°F, making spring and fall the most comfortable seasons for camping.
What to do
Hiking Mount Scott: Access the 2,464-foot summit via a paved road for panoramic views of the surrounding wilderness. At Doris Campground, campers appreciate the proximity to trails. "Loads of great trails to hike! Doris is the only campground to stay at if you want to be within the refuge," notes Rebecca N.
Wildlife viewing: Visit Prairie Dog Town for guaranteed sightings of these social creatures. One camper at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area shared, "Saw geese, fox, Coyotes, Buffalo, prairie dogs and rattle snakes."
Water recreation: Rent paddle boats and kayaks at Lake Elmer Thomas from 11am-7pm during summer months. "A nice beach and cordoned swim area, complete with restrooms and shower house... watersport rentals: paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, pontoon boat," describes Dave V.
What campers like
Accessibility to natural features: Many sites offer direct lake access within walking distance. "Short path behind site leads to Quanah Parker Lake. No connections. Water pump nearby; water was good quality," reports Fred S. about his stay at Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.
Historical sites: Explore Fort Sill's museums and landmarks documenting frontier and military history. A visitor at Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area mentioned, "Fort Sill has a lot of history to view. Great museums."
Quiet camping options: Less crowded areas provide solitude away from busier campgrounds. Tesla T. from Moneka Park shared, "I absolutely love going here to camp! There's like never anyone there, so it's always quiet and we don't have to worry about people starting crap for no reason."
What you should know
Water situation: Some campgrounds have ongoing water quality issues. Rebecca A. at Camp Doris warned, "Please note that at the time of this review (3/2020) there is NO potable water anywhere in the WMWR. An e.coli contamination in 2017 is still not resolved and any and all water is considered unsafe, including all streams and lakes."
Military activity impacts: Camping on or near Fort Sill means potential noise from training exercises. One camper cautioned, "Absolutely no warning on their site that there is training going on all around the CG. If you have a Veteran with PTSD like I do prepare him/her that they shoot howitzer rounds at any given time."
Reservation policies: Some sites require advance booking while others fill quickly on weekends. "Weekends at WMWR are very popular beginning early in the camping season making it difficult to find open spots by Friday evening. But that doesn't keep people from trying late into the night," explains Brad N.
Tips for camping with families
Best family-friendly amenities: Look for campgrounds with dedicated facilities for children. The Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area offers "a nice beach and cordoned swim area... Sand volleyball court... Mini golf course... Disc golf course."
Safety considerations: Many sites have wildlife nearby that requires proper precautions. "There are free roaming Buffalo and Longhorn Cattle so don't be surprised if you see one in the Campground," William A. points out about Camp Doris.
Cleanliness standards: Bathroom and shower facilities vary widely between campgrounds. "The campgrounds were very well maintained, maps were very easy to navigate! I felt safe setting up my tent and leaving it for the day while our group went out to hike," shared Meaghan V. about her stay at Doris Campground.
Tips from RVers
Site selection strategy: Choose outer loop sites for better views and privacy. Roger W. from Doris Campground advises, "I don't particularly like the sites on the inside of the loops. Water view sites are circled on the map. I would be happy with these. Best sites in Loop A: 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, 13, 15."
Hookup availability: Full-service sites are limited to specific campgrounds. At Pecan Grove RV Resort, "Sites are large! Amenities are clean!" according to Samantha S., with another camper noting "Full hook ups for a back in site for $40 per night."
Cell service considerations: Coverage can be spotty throughout the region. "No cell service whatsoever in the campground," reports Roger H., while Fred S. mentions "Little to no AT&T and T-Mobile service" at his glamping near Fort Sill site.
