Camping sites near Muldrow, Oklahoma cluster along the Arkansas River and its associated Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, with elevations around 500 feet above sea level. The area's limestone terrain creates distinct fishing habitats where multiple fish species thrive throughout the year. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at night, making electric hookups essential for cold-weather campers using space heaters or other warming equipment.
What to do
Kayaking and paddling opportunities: At Springhill Park, visitors can launch directly from their campsite into Massard Creek. "I have been camping out here for years but never took advantage of the A side. A12-14 are premian spots to camp. I tent camp and the view is amazing. It's in between the Arkansas river and Massard creek. You can go kayaking in Massard creek," reports one camper.
Fishing from mini docks: Several campsites feature private fishing platforms directly at your site. "Mini docks at sites make it nice for fishing. The sites are close to water," notes a visitor about Short Mountain Cove. These small docks allow for convenient fishing access without needing to relocate your gear to a separate fishing area.
Basketball and sports facilities: Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA maintains active recreation options including basketball courts. "Basketball hoop, pool and hot tub, pond with kayaks, and more. Laundry, showers and a decent shop too," writes one reviewer, highlighting the variety of sporting options available beyond water activities.
What campers like
Waterfront access: Devil's Den State Park offers sites with direct water views. As one camper notes, "I felt like we had our own little dock to cast off from. It felt like we had our own little dock to cast off from." This private water access ranks highly among visitor preferences.
Hot showers after outdoor activities: Clean bathroom facilities matter to campers who've spent the day outdoors. A Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA visitor remarked: "Great family owners, best showers ever for a camplground! Fabulous showers." Quality shower facilities are consistently mentioned as a campground highlight.
Level sites for easy setup: Finding flat camping spots can be challenging in this hilly region. At Riverfront RV Resort, campers appreciate the site preparation: "Most sites are concrete pads and even the gravel sites have a concrete pad for the picnic table." This thoughtful design prevents the common frustration of unlevel sites.
What you should know
Water quality varies significantly: Some campgrounds provide remarkably pure water. At Springhill Park, a visitor tested "30 Amp hook up with some of the best water I have ever had. Only 35 ppm on my zero water tester. Bottled water has had more than 75 ppm."
Gate access hours may restrict late arrivals: Many campgrounds implement nighttime closure policies. Corps of Engineers facilities typically have gates that "open at 6AM and close at 10PM" with strictly enforced quiet hours from 10PM to 6AM.
Bathroom closures during off-season: Winter campers should verify facility availability before arrival. At John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Springhill Campground, a visitor noted: "I was dismayed to learn that the restroom in our loop was locked up, likely for the winter... it would have been nice to know this in advance."
Shared water hookups at some sites: At certain campgrounds, adjacent sites share a water connection. "Water was to be shared with neighbor site, so why am I paying full price. Pretty stupid," commented one camper at Robert S. Kerr Applegate Cove, suggesting checking the specific site details before booking.
Tips for camping with families
Look for campgrounds with multiple playgrounds: Applegate Cove Campground offers "Two playgrounds and a clean bath/shower house," making it suitable for families with children of different ages who need diverse play options.
Seek out bounce pads and swimming pools: Some campgrounds offer specialized family-friendly amenities. One visitor to Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA mentioned they "enjoyed the pool, bounce pad & basketball" with their family, creating multiple entertainment options regardless of weather.
Consider accessibility needs: Not all campgrounds accommodate mobility challenges. A visitor noted about Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA: "This campground is nice but not really wheelchair friendly. The road was really large rock that is very bumpy and uncomfortable to wheel over."
Tips from RVers
Site incline varies significantly: At Brushy Lake State Park, "21 RV spots available around a small, family lake" with "water and electric hook ups and clean dump station." However, many campers throughout the region note unlevel sites requiring leveling blocks or jacks.
Full hookup availability limited: Most campgrounds offer electric and water but lack sewer connections. "Full hookups, some shade, a dump station," reports a visitor about available amenities, highlighting the need to plan for dump station visits rather than expecting sewer hookups at your site.
Small general stores provide emergency supplies: While not comprehensive shopping, some campgrounds maintain basic provisions. "The office also has a gameroom, pantry, and propane," notes a Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA visitor, though serious grocery shopping requires a trip to nearby towns.
