RV camping near Poteau, Oklahoma offers options within 30 miles of town, with several campgrounds situated near Lake Wister and the Arkansas River. The region sits at the foothills of the Ouachita Mountains, with elevations ranging from 450 to 2,600 feet. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, while summer months typically see highs above 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Fishing at Lake Wister: Victor Campground provides water access with several waterfront sites. "Very pretty campground, clean and relatively quiet this time of year. Very nice lake views. Birdwatching is pretty good," notes one Victor Campground visitor.
Historical sites: The Fort Smith National Historic Site is less than 2 miles from Riverfront RV Resort. "Our kids enjoyed the playground, outdoor gym, and pickleball - it was too cold to swim. There is only one bathhouse, but it was clean," shares one camper.
Boating access: Several campgrounds provide boat launch access. "This campground is only about a year old and everything seems to still be in good shape. Campground is adjacent to the Arkansas River," reports a Riverfront RV Resort visitor.
What campers like
Security features: William O. Darby RV Community has active security patrols. "This was a great little park and stay at while we were in fort Smith. The price was right and operated by a family and the whole family chips in to run the park. The military police patrolled the park," shares one reviewer.
Fishing pond: Fort Smith-Alma RV Park features a stocked fishing pond. "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," mentions one camper. Another adds, "The pond on the property has soothing sounds of peepers to fall asleep too."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain well-kept bathrooms. "The bathhouse was clean and stocked. I believe this is an old KOA under private ownership. They have done a great job updating the place," notes a Fort Smith-Alma RV Park visitor.
What you should know
Site spacing issues: Several campgrounds have tight sites. At Lake Wister, "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," one camper reports.
Train noise: Some RV parks experience rail traffic. At Love's RV Hookup, "Great sites that are flat and level. 1-15 are full hookup but 16-18 do not have sewer. BUT the train that comes through several times a night uses their horn more than I have ever heard."
Weather considerations: The region experiences severe weather seasonally. "We arrived on Wednesday and have endured multiple days of Harvey rain and flooding. Many roads closed in the area due to high water," shares a Lake Wister camper.
Tips for camping with families
Activity options: Marval Camping Resort offers extensive family programming. "This place has everything, movie theater, horse riding, a train that goes around the park, golf carts, tons of activities for the entire family... Swimming pool and all," explains one family.
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas. "Lots to keep the kids busy, we had a really good time. Campsites are pretty close together though so we didn't have the space or privacy we like," shares a Marval visitor.
Seasonal crowds: Peak times bring higher visitor counts. "It was beyond crowded (my son couldn't even ride his bike because of the constant amount of cars) and not much to do (a lot of activities closed because of covid)," notes one visitor about summer crowds at Marval.
Tips from RVers
Overnight stops: Several parks offer pull-through sites for convenient overnight stays. "We only stayed the night passing through. It was somewhat tight getting a big rig in and out. And the parking spots are pretty close to each other," shares a Fort Smith-Alma RV Park visitor.
Site privacy considerations: Many RV parks have alternating site layouts. "You pull in alternating so you backside to backside. 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," notes a Fort Smith-Alma RV Park camper.
Reservation timing: Some campgrounds fill quickly during peak season. "Contacted owner late in the evening looking for a spot after a 9-hour drive. This place had everything and the bathhouse was just like taking a shower at home," shares a William O. Darby RV Community visitor.
