Lake Wister State Park and the surrounding Ouachita Mountains provide diverse cabin accommodations near Poteau, Oklahoma. The region sits at elevations between 500-2,600 feet with terrain characterized by pine-covered ridges and forested valleys. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer months can reach 90-100°F with high humidity.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground offers direct access to forest trails with varying difficulty levels. "We camped here last year November 2016 with my boyfriend and dog. The camp sites were great and hiking trails were within the park so we didn't need to drive anywhere," notes a visitor at Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground.
Water recreation options: Both fishing and paddling are popular at Lake Wister State Park. A visitor mentioned, "We did love this site for the view alone! However, our RV is 35 FT long and while it's rated for this length it was a little difficult to back into, because of surrounding trees. The view was right on the water edge. Sunrise and sunset was great."
Historical sites exploration: While staying at cabin accommodations, many visitors take day trips to nearby historical attractions. "Check out Spiro Mounds and Heavener Runestone, less than an hour's drive from Wister Lake," recommends one camper who stayed during winter.
What campers like
Seasonal changes: Winter cabin stays offer unique advantages. One visitor at Victor Campground noted, "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."
Wildlife viewing: The forested setting around cabins in the Poteau area supports diverse wildlife. A visitor to Greenleaf State Park remarked, "Animals! Turtles, deer that like to be petted, frogs croaking at night, owls talking, beavers splashing in the lake and turkeys eating snakes!"
Cabin proximity to water: Many prefer cabins with direct water access. A camper at Robbers Cave State Park shared, "Had a great time fishing at our campsite. Were the only ones at this campground. You'll have to find this treasure spot. Took a hike with the pups and babe to robbers cave, lots of people visiting."
What you should know
Cabin types vary significantly: From rustic to modern, cabin options range widely across the region. At Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA, a visitor noted, "We chose this campground for the Tiny House rental for our Daughter and her husband & kids. We stayed in an RV site, enjoyed the pool, bounce pad & basketball. A shuttle runs that is wheelchair accessible that will take you into town."
Reservation timing matters: Most cabin facilities require advance booking, especially in peak seasons. One camper advises, "We booked our site online after having looked at the rv sites a few weeks beforehand, so we knew what we were getting."
Cabin spacing considerations: Proximity to other units affects privacy levels. A visitor observed, "Sites are laid out badly and way too close to each other. Grills, picnic table and fire ring behind sites. Most within 5 feet of neighbors sewer connection. Could be nice park if they take out every other site."
Tips for camping with families
Water features for kids: Several cabin locations offer swimming options. A visitor to Greenleaf State Park commented, "The absolute best part of this park is the splash pad. It was the best splash pad we've been too. They had a cool slide and we had a blast."
Multiple activities planning: Successful family trips often combine various recreation types. One visitor to Long Lake Resort stated, "Buffalo, horses and awesome amounts of fish! They have hiking trails and 2 private lakes. The RV area looked new because all of the power boxes had 50/30 and 120 outlets and breakers which is super cool."
Bathroom facilities quality: Clean facilities significantly impact family experiences. A visitor reported, "Bathrooms could stand to be updated. There is a marina where you can rent canoes and kayaks and buy supplies. There is a mini golf course too."
Tips from RVers
Site selection considerations: Many cabin areas also accommodate RVs with varying site qualities. An RVer at Fort Smith-Alma RV Park shared, "Our site was perfect in we faced the pond and playground and didn't have any other campers in direct site when lounging outside our camper."
Hookup details: For visitors combining cabin stays with RV travel, utility information is valuable. "All of the sites had sewer and water connections too," notes a camper discussing the RV area at Long Lake Resort.
Maneuverability concerns: Larger vehicles require careful navigation at some locations. A visitor cautioned, "Road is very narrow and not one way. Sites are laid out badly and way too close to each other."
