Tammy Jo M.
Scout
ScoutTurner Creek Road
Great pull through space. Plenty of sticks around for a small fire. We did have a visitor at around 3 AM, we assume it was a coyote but were too tired to check lol.
Camping near Muse, OK
138 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
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The Ouachita National Forest surrounds Muse, Oklahoma, providing both established campgrounds and dispersed camping opportunities. Billy Creek Recreation Area, located near Muse, offers primitive tent and RV camping with access to the nearby creek and hiking trails. Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp and Winding Stair Campground provide additional developed options with varying amenities, while dispersed sites like Dead Man Gap and Talimena Scenic Drive allow for more remote experiences. Several mixed-use campgrounds in the region accommodate both tent and RV camping, with a few locations like Cedar Lake and Big Cedar also offering cabin accommodations.
Access throughout the camping areas varies seasonally, with some forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles. The region experiences distinct seasons with hot, humid summers and mild winters, though mountain elevations can bring cooler temperatures and occasional storms. A camper observed, "We camped at Billy Creek in March 2019. We were the only ones there which made it fabulous! We set up camp right above the river and got to hear the river going over the rocks the whole time." Most dispersed sites are free with no reservations required, while established campgrounds like Cedar Lake and Talimena State Park typically charge modest fees and may accept reservations. Cell service remains limited throughout much of the forest area.
The mountain setting provides scenic camping experiences with access to recreational activities. Campers consistently mention the peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty as highlights. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, "If you plopped me into this camp I wouldn't have guessed I was in Oklahoma," noted one visitor about Winding Stair Campground. Water features enhance many camping areas, with creeks and Cedar Lake serving as focal points for recreation. Hiking opportunities abound with the Ouachita National Recreation Trail passing through the region. ATV and equestrian trails are also available at designated locations, though noise from off-road vehicles can impact some campground experiences during busy periods. Wildlife sightings, including wild turkeys, are commonly reported by campers exploring the forested terrain.
Best Campgrounds near Muse (138)
1. Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest
"If you plopped me into this camp I wouldn’t have guessed I was in Oklahoma."
"Driving from Mena to Talihina along this stretch of highway is a treat when it comes to the spectacular views. "
from $3 - $14 / night
2. Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)
"We completed this campout with another family and this is our favorite campout in Oklahoma. The large pines, the facilities and the hiking is wonderful. Cedar lake is beautiful."
"we took a group of Trail Life boys there and we had a good time. There are plenty of good trails near by and we used Cedar Lake as our basecamp."
from $15 - $40 / night
Check Availability3. Billy Creek
"This was such a cool place and a perfect distance away from everything. There were plenty of options for camping spots but also plenty of people there that you don’t feel completely alone."
"There was a easy and short little trail down to the river and lots of large rocks to hang out on. The campsite has tons of big trees. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table and grill. "
4. Talimena State Park Campground
"This State Park is located in SE Oklahoma and is a hidden gem. The park has a number of RV sites and tent sites."
"There was at least one other trail leading away from camp. Camp store is closed during the week - at least during the time of year of our visit.
The town of Talihina is about 6 miles from camp."
5. Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite
"Go another 40 ish yards and there is the end of the side ‘road’/stone path and you’ll find the site we stayed at.
There is a great fire pit and a well established site.""First time in the Ouachita national forest and we found a most excellent spot next to Lillard Creek off of 6010 Deadmans trail Rd. Would recommend a 4wd vehicle."
6. Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground
"This was mine and my mom's favorite place to camp in Oklahoma. The campground is heavily forested with pine trees and there are some sites right off the lake."
"It’s wonderful in the fall when the leaves are changing, the days are cooler, and the nights are perfect for gathering around a camp fire."
from $10 - $23 / night
Check Availability7. Talimena Scenic Drive
"From the Scenic Drive, go down forest road 6014, just near horse leaf Springs and about a 1/2 a mile down the road. There will be a crossing road that has dispersed camping on both sides of it."
"This is an awesome place the drive is well worth it too as long as you don’t catch fog like we did you couldn’t see 2ft in front of your car it was crazy how bad it was I hadn’t ever seen anything like"
8. Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite
"Small peaceful pond and is right off the Deadman South Trail."
9. County Road D1590 Dispersed
10. Queen Wilhelmina State Park — Queen Wihelmina State Park
"The lodge is a pretty short walk up hill. It has a restaurant and small gift shop. It also has a lookout, and two trailheads. The lobby is spacious with a great view."
"Driving through this part of Arkansas you can quickly get taken aback by the winding roads the ample beauty, but until you visit the campground and park you will only have a portion of the beauty of the"
from $23 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 13 min from Fort Smith, AR
- 2 hrs from Fayetteville, AR
- 2 hrs 5 min from Hot Springs, AR
- 2 hrs 15 min from Texarkana, TX
Recent Camping Photos near Muse, OK
101 Photos of 138 Muse Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Billy Creek
Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest
Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)
Talimena Scenic Drive
Cedar Lake Equestrian CampgroundP
Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed CampsiteS
Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite
Potato Hill Vista - Dispersed Camping
Talimena State Park CampgroundA
Pigeon Creek Dispersed
Heavener Runestone ParkM
Quarry Island Campground — Lake Wister State Park
Recent Reviews near Muse, OK
360 Reviews of 138 Muse Campgrounds
- AAmber L.Scout
Cossatot Reefs - Gillham Lake
Beautiful Quiet
Remote enough to feel like a getaway but close enough to food and direction access if needed. Beautiful trees and fall changes colors and lots of wildlife to watch- deer, squirrels, eagles, armadillos, cranes and fishing. Just know that you may need extra hose as some spigots are shared. The electric has both 30 and 50amp plugs. Bathrooms have showers and are clean. Beautiful view of the creek from our site.
- TTonya D.
TravelerQuachita NF Dispersed by Cedar Creek off 51220
Great spot!
The drive-in was easy. It’s pretty much a one lane road. Beautiful spot with trees all around! It is one of two or three spots. In my opinion, this is the best one. You can fit probably three or four vehicles in here if you had a group too. The creek was dry when we came at our spot. It seems like there is also a tent spot down below our actual camp spot.
We enjoyed walking down the road, a mile past our campsite, but there were wolf spiders on the road! It was in the evening so that could’ve been why they were out. We haven’t seen any in our campsite though.
- JJamin T.Scout
Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest
First camping trip
This was my first camping trip alone and first sleeping in my car. The site was well maintained, restrooms were clean, and it was very peaceful. Plenty of trails around to hike and enjoy the beautiful scenery.
- AAnnaTraveler
The Narrows Riverside RV Resort
Anna and family 4 adults england m
If you are heading this way this is a deffo stop the tranquility nature and river is absolutely stunning The owners are amazing friendly and accommodating one of the best on this road trip so far Thank you so much
- AAnnaTraveler
The Narrows Riverside RV Resort
Anna
A beautiful rustic site with hook up clean showers and toilets, and beautiful bbq and eating area, The river is just a 2 second walk to the river and they hire kayaks for a 4 hour kayak $25 Brilliant, the owner is super friendly and welcoming would defiantly recommend a visit i could easily stay longer ❤️ love it And Thankyou x
Elise A.
RangerQuail Circle — Beavers Bend State Park
Small but Decent
Quail Circle is a small, quiet, and generally well-kept loop. The pavement’s a bit bumpy in spots, but most RV sites are level. Our site, unfortunately, sat near a washout that dropped off into the woods. The bathhouse is clean, but not close, maybe a football field away. There’s a dump station at the adjacent campground. It’s semi-wooded, not deep wilderness, but feels like being among trees. Beavers Bend is spread out. From here, trailheads are about seventeen to thirty minutes away, so plan on driving. That distance turned out to be a plus in peak summer. The main areas felt like a carnival and family cruise ship, but our loop stayed calm. Not my favorite ever, but a solid stay overall.
- HH S.Traveler
Acorn Campground — Beavers Bend State Park
Acorn campground on river!
We spent the night at Acorn Campground, spot 5, in June. Hot but shaded. Space by the river. There was a grill, a fire pit, and a picnic table. It was easy to find our campground in Beavers Bend State Park. The heritage building is a good landmark. Loud Sirens went off twice during the day. When in the camper, though, they sounded quieter, and you could probably sleep through it. Sirens are to let you know to get out of the water because they are releasing water from dam. Can't swim in the river by our campground, but there is a swimming area to the north. This campground is on the lower level of the river, but there was no need to panic or move to higher ground when the sirens went off, even though it had been raining on and off as well. I’d been a little worried about flooding after reading about the 2015 flood, but the river remained beautiful and tranquil, offering us a stunning view—and even a playful sighting of deer paddling in the water. We left some trash on the campsite hook, only to find it scattered when we woke up. While picking up the trash, I noticed animal prints on our truck and camper. I went to the trash site to dump the trash, and a raccoon was staring at me when I opened the lid. The park staff assured us raccoons are common in the trash, so get ready to be startled. Watch out for poison ivy near the electrical outlets—bring calamine lotion—and note that mosquitoes, spiders, ants, and ticks are present, so pack accordingly. Didn't see snakes. A leaf blower is handy for cleaning off the RV pad. Gravel around the cement pad would have been nice because when it rains, it gets muddy, and there is poison ivy in the areas where you will need to hook up the RV to the electrical. Our spot was steps away from clean, air-conditioned bathrooms and showers. There were regular bugs in them, but not too many. The nicest bathroom for a campsite that I have been in. The park staff was welcoming, and there’s plenty to do—hiking trails, canoe or paddleboat rentals, and even a train ride, which I highly recommend if you love deer, as they’re abundant. You can buy ice at the train station too. Pack a life vest if traveling with kids, and if they want to experience water activities. We had reliable AT&T cell service throughout the park, so I was able to use Apple and Google Maps wherever we went. However, printed maps as well, and picked up a map from the heritage center. It’s a memorable spot for nature lovers and adventurers alike. It was peaceful.
- JJessica B.Scout
Lakeside RV Park
Quaint and friendly
We have stayed here on and off over a year - and there’s a reason we keep coming back. It’s quaint and friendly. Tim (the owner) is hilarious and so helpful.
Guide to Muse
Dispersed camping sites near Muse, Oklahoma provide backcountry experiences throughout the Ouachita National Forest at elevations ranging from 600 to 2,600 feet. The region features dense pine forests interspersed with hardwoods, particularly notable in spring when dogwood trees bloom with flowers. Road conditions vary seasonally with some forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles, especially after rainfall.
What to do
Hiking trails: The Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes through several camping areas near Muse. The Horsetheif Springs Trail at Cedar Lake offers options for different skill levels. "We go for the trails. We enjoy the Horsetheif Springs Trail which starts behind the dump station. You can either hike a small couple mail loop or extend it to 14 miles," notes a regular visitor.
Swimming spots: Lillard Creek provides natural swimming areas during warmer months. Several dispersed sites at Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite offer access to the creek. "There's a short rock trail to go up to reach the campsite. Would recommend a 4wd vehicle... There's an awesome trail a little north of camp called Boardstand trail," shares one camper who explored the area extensively.
Stargazing: The limited light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing conditions. "No lights, which I prefer," mentions a visitor to Billy Creek Recreation Area, highlighting the darkness that makes this area perfect for astronomy enthusiasts.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds feature natural separation between camping spots. "The campsite spots themselves are pretty big in size and are separated by trees and bushes. Feels very private," explains a camper at Cedar Lake. The campground implements a 10pm quiet hour which campers appreciate for peaceful nights.
Wildlife encounters: The forested terrain hosts diverse wildlife beyond the commonly mentioned wild turkeys. At Heavener Runestone Park, the setting provides opportunities for wildlife viewing. A winter camper described the experience: "It smelled amazing and the ground was covered in a thick bed of pine needles. There's a really fun little trail that runs from the campsites down to the runestone."
Seasonal advantages: Spring brings wildflowers while fall delivers colorful foliage. "We would camp out regularly in March, bring jackets and stuff to keep warm because it is still very chilly, but warm enough during the day for some nice hiking," advises a Cedar Lake visitor. October and early November provide peak fall colors along Talimena Scenic Drive.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Prepare for minimal connectivity throughout most camping areas. Download offline maps before arriving as navigation apps will likely lose service within the forest areas.
Water availability varies: Not all campgrounds maintain year-round water access. At Billy Creek, one visitor noted: "Downsides are there was no water, no restrooms (they were padlocked) and no electricity. The ATV trails are around camp and the noise from the machines buzzing by can be a lot."
Bears in the area: Take proper food storage precautions. "It had bear caution signs, so be advised," warns a visitor to Winding Stair Campground. The Ouachita National Forest maintains a black bear population that requires appropriate food storage and waste disposal practices.
Seasonal closures: Check current status before planning trips. "After driving 4 hours to one of our favorite campsites in this area we arrived to find it closed until May 2025. No explanation why," reported a disappointed Winding Stair Campground visitor in late 2024.
Tips for camping with families
Family-friendly activities: Cedar Lake offers multiple recreation options for children. "One of the best camping trips that our family has ever taken. Lots of things to do, hiking and camping was amazing," shares one family camper.
Kid-appropriate hiking: Look for shorter trail loops suitable for younger hikers. At Heavener Runestone Park, "The hiking was beautiful and just challenging enough to be fun while accessible for little kids," according to a family that visited with nine children.
Safety considerations: Some campgrounds have cliff exposure requiring supervision. "Out of the three cliff tent sites I would say only 1 was safe for kids, 2 and 3 were too close to the cliff," notes a family at Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite about specific site selection for families.
Tips from RVers
Limited hookup options: Most camping areas offer primitive conditions with few full-service sites. "We stayed in the non-electric sites (North Shore loop). Campgrounds were incredibly peaceful and quiet. There is running water and bathrooms which were relatively clean," explains a Cedar Lake visitor.
Site access challenges: Some forest roads require cautious navigation for larger rigs. "The high temp for the weekend was about 56 and the place was packed solid," notes a Winding Stair camper about seasonal crowds despite cooler temperatures, highlighting the need to arrive early during popular weekends.
Supply planning: No nearby stores means bringing all essentials. "Don't forget the ice, there's nothing close," advises a Cedar Lake camper who appreciated site #33. RVers should stock up on supplies in Talihina or Heavener before heading to more remote camping locations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Muse, OK?
What camping is available near Muse, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, Muse, OK offers a wide range of camping options, with 138 campgrounds and RV parks near Muse, OK and 16 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Muse, OK?
Which is the most popular campground near Muse, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Muse, OK is Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Muse, OK?
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Muse, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 16 free dispersed camping spots near Muse, OK.
What parks are near Muse, OK?
What parks are near Muse, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Muse, OK that allow camping, notably Sardis Lake and Pine Creek Lake.
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