Poteau, Oklahoma sits at 490 feet elevation in the Ouachita Mountains, with camping options in heavily forested areas within an hour's drive of town. Summer temperatures average in the mid-90s with high humidity, making spring and fall the optimal seasons for tent camping. The region receives approximately 54 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush landscapes and numerous water features for outdoor recreation.
What to do
Swimming and water recreation: Cedar Lake, located 30 miles south of Poteau, offers excellent swimming opportunities. "We brought our kayaks and had so much fun hitting the lake in the morning. It does get busy as the day goes on, especially in the summer on the weekends," notes Ashley W. about Cedar Lake.
Hiking trails: The area features numerous hiking options ranging from easy to challenging. At Greenleaf State Park, "The trails at greenleaf are well maintained and marked. Their primitive camping is accessible and well kept. I enjoy the size of the park it is small and offers a lot of room for exploring," shares Cody L. from Greenleaf State Park. Bring hiking boots if rain is forecast.
Fishing: Fishing is popular at many campgrounds near Poteau. At Brooken Cove, campers enjoy lakeside sites with easy access for anglers. "Nice campsites with room between sites. Most sites have lake views and there is a lot of access to the lake," reports Angela from Brooken Cove.
Historic exploration: Visit the caves that once sheltered outlaws at Robbers Cave State Park. "We did hike up to see robbers cave and the terrain was beautiful," shares Matt B., though he notes: "It made me sick that people would carve into the rocks and spray paint the cave."
What campers like
Shaded sites: The dense forests provide natural cooling during hot months. At Cedar Lake, campers appreciate that "the campsite spots themselves are pretty big in size and are separated by trees and bushes. Feels very private."
Wildlife viewing: The area's diverse ecosystem supports abundant wildlife. At Chicken Creek, visitors enjoy watching migratory birds including bald eagles. One visitor at Greenleaf notes: "Animals! Turtles, deer that like to be petted, frogs croaking at night, owls talking, beavers splashing in the lake and turkeys eating snakes!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathhouses. At CMA Iron Mountain, one camper praised: "There's INSTANT hot water, no waiting for 10 minutes for luke warm water. About a dozen of each... toilets, showers, urinals. 2 or more great big handicap accessible showers."
Diverse accommodation options: Beyond traditional glamping in Poteau, Oklahoma, campgrounds offer various lodging choices. "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," shares Cheryl T. from Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many campgrounds fill quickly, especially during summer and fall. At Queen Wilhelmina State Park, "You should also look at reservations during peak seasons as the limited availability will make this park fill up fast," warns Tom K.
Site layout considerations: Some campgrounds have unique layouts that may affect privacy. "The campground is small with limited pads. Each site is close to the next and are generally occupied with RVs or camper trailers," notes Vanessa M. about Queen Wilhelmina State Park.
Weather preparedness: The area can experience rapid weather changes. When camping at Brooken Cove, one visitor shared: "We arrived shortly after Hurricane Laura, so her aftermath caused rain and lightning storms but we certainly cannot fault the park for that."
Accessibility issues: Some trails are more challenging than advertised. "Generally when in Oklahoma I prepare for the worst to avoid a negative experience, and it works well for me," advises Vanessa M., adding that some trails are "poorly marked, more challenging than advertised, and not appropriate for certain types of activities."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Many campgrounds feature child-friendly recreation areas. At Robbers Cave State Park, "They also had a pool with two water slides and a splash zone, it is $5 dollars to enter for the entire day. My son also got to play miniature golf for the first time at the course located next to the pool."
Water safety: Lakes typically have shallow entry points, but supervision is essential. At Brooken Cove, "There are several sandy beach areas and the water is shallow for a great distance out, making it good for swimming."
Activity planning: Check event schedules at the campground office. Kyle H. shares about Robbers Cave: "When you get to camp they will give you a schedule of all the events that are going on throughout the week you are staying. We did a hayride that lead us through the park to the stables where there is a petting zoo."
Trail difficulty: Assess trails before bringing small children. "The hiking trail to the cave is steep and rocky with big drop-offs, so be careful with small children. It is a ¾ of a mile trail that my son absolutely loved," notes Kyle H.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research specific sites before booking. At Marval Resort, one camper notes: "Personnel very friendly but site not worth the cost asked for pull thru got back in on grass and dirt open pull thrus had concrete pads not happy."
Hookup details: Many campgrounds offer limited full-hookup sites. At Chicken Creek, "Only seven 50 amp spots and no sewer sites but the campground is great," explains Mark J. Plan for dump station use or limited stay durations accordingly.
Access considerations: Some campgrounds have specific gate hours. At Chicken Creek, "Gates going in locked at 10:00 p.m. and open at 6:00 a.m.," which can affect late arrivals or early departures.
Utilities management: Water hookups may require extra equipment. At Greenleaf State Park, one camper advises: "The only disadvantage to this park is some sites share water. In our site we needed 50 ft of water hose and I would suggest bringing a 'y' water connector."
