The best TENT SITES camping near
Peno Corner , OKLAHOMA

I some other reviews that described it as more like a small RV park. That’s unfair in my opinion.

I’ve been stuck using a couple of RV parks out west and they packed us in tight.

These spots aren’t super roomy, but you aren’t bumper to bumper either.

The spots are paved and all seemed pretty level. Spots 1-35 back up to the forest. Higher numbers back up to an open field.

Restrooms and showers were spectacular. Everything was clean and well kept.

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.

One of the trails connects to Ouachita trail. The drive in from Oklahoma is stunning and the drive to Mena, AR is only about 20 minutes. Several shops and restaurants and a Walmart.

There is a mini golf course, ice cream shop and train ride - but they said it’s only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and they haven’t gotten word of it will open for 2021.

Also has a playground and an Old Steam Train to explore.

The people who take care of this camp do a great job. Everything is tidy and well kept.

Spaces aren’t too tight together, but not much privacy either - except for us because we were the only ones there!

The Ouachita Trailhead starts here and two of the primitive camps (1 and 2) are right at the trailhead.

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. I didn’t see a grocery store, but it had a couple of well stocked convenience stores. It also has a few cafes. The food at Pam’s Cafe was good. There was also a nice looking coffee shop, but we didn’t try it.

The Talimena Drive starts very close by, so this would be a good base camp for cruising that scenic drive. I’d love to come back in the fall, but the views are incredible anytime. Pictures don’t do it justice.

Many sites back up right to the adjacent highway. A little hill and some trees block the view, but the road noise is loud. And several trucks in the middle of the night were heavy on their jake brakes.

Our site had a nice gazebo over the table. My son enjoyed the playground, though it is really sized for kids 6 and under.

Absolutely wouldn’t mind camping here again.

If you plopped me into this camp I wouldn’t have guessed I was in Oklahoma.

Just a bit off the beautiful Talimena Drive, it is well shaded, close to spectacular overlooks and lots of hiking options around.

Ouachita Trail access and other options available.

23 sites to pick from and there are a variety to choose from. Some pull-through, some smaller. All appeared to have tables and grills.

Neatly kept and peaceful.

I had Verizon service, but bring what you need - it’s a long way to town.

It had bear caution signs, so be advised.

One of the prettiest places I’ve ever been. Waterfalls abound, and the blue water Lee Creek is to die for. AT&T non existent.

We stayed here for one night in late December. It was a Sunday and we had the whole campground to ourselves. The hosts were friendly and helpful. All of the sites looked nice, but ours was especially beautiful. It was fairly easy to pull in and out in our Rav4, though there isn't a paved drive or pad. 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.

The restrooms were single person, clean, and well stocked. There were several day visitors using the little playground and picnic tables, so I imagine it would be pretty busy and probably a lot less peaceful in the warmer seasons.

We stayed here for just one night in Shady Grove area on the top of the hill. Sites were tight and we were clearly placed in a bigger pull through site that was split in two sites. We arrived later in the evening and people in other half of site had already taken over forcing us the back into site pad up a steep incline in the dark under a tree. We made it, but not easy. For distanced dispersed camping, look elsewhere.

There is one road in to this camping area. It’s blocked off by cement barricades so you can’t access it. Should have turned around when I heard the banjos. 0 stars.

Beautiful park- right on the river.  Wooded lots in most cases, large lots with great space between sites.   Drop Kayak, SUP right off the back of your site.

Some sites are a little uneven.   And some sites are tough to get a 41ft 5th wheel into.

Stayed only one night but would look be nice to stay here much longer.  Quiet, water views n most cases.

Really great vistas from the upper overlook. We stopped to see the runestone on our way back home from camping at Lake Wister. Wooded and clean, with a small gift shop (closed when we got there). Tent and RV camping available, which we didn't look at, but don't think big trailers and buses would fit; ours is an 18-footer, and was questionable at that! Really cool trek down to the runestone, but would highly recommend good walking shoes or boots, for it's a steep, rocky path with lots of small, deep steps and very few handrails or barriers; some areas are wet. Trail is not handicap accessible. There are a couple of benches along the way to stop and catch your breath and admire the rock formations. Donations taken for the runestone walk at the box outside the gift shop. Camping prices are reasonable.

Very pretty campground, clean and relatively quiet this time of year. A very few campers here the week of Christmas 2020. Firewood available at the camp host site. Very nice lake views. Birdwatching is pretty good. Check out Spiro Mounds and Heavener Runestone, less than an hour's drive from Wister Lake.