Camping sites near Red Oak, Oklahoma include established campgrounds and dispersed options in the Ouachita National Forest. The region's elevation ranges from 600 to 2,600 feet, creating distinct temperature variations between valley locations and mountain sites. Summer nighttime temperatures typically drop 15-20°F below daytime highs, offering more comfortable camping conditions after sunset. Forest road access to many remote sites can become challenging after rainfall, particularly in spring.
What to do
Fishing throughout seasons: Cedar Lake offers year-round fishing opportunities in clear water. "We spent two afternoons swimming in Lake Carlton. The designated swim area has a very rocky drop-off for an entrance, but once out it was very nice swimming," notes a Robbers Cave State Park visitor who enjoyed multiple water activities.
Hiking the Ouachita Trail: Access the 220-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail from multiple points near Red Oak. "The Ouachita Trail is a 220 mile trail that travels from Oklahoma to Arkansas. Near the campground the forest is predominantly made up of pine trees, but as you hike along the trail you'll pass through a variety of hardwoods like oak," explains a camper from Talimena State Park.
Scenic driving routes: Drive the Talimena Scenic Byway, which runs approximately 54 miles through the Ouachita Mountains with designated vista points. "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," according to a visitor reviewing their stay.
Historical exploration: Visit nearby historical sites like Heavener Runestone. "Check out Spiro Mounds and Heavener Runestone, less than an hour's drive from Wister Lake," suggests a Lake Wister State Park visitor.
What campers like
Secluded campsites: Dispersed camping areas provide privacy not found at established campgrounds. "We pulled of the highway and wend down deadman's trail about halfway and pulled into a very secluded camping spot with a good amount of space with an established fire pit," writes a Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite visitor who camped there in early November.
Mountain terrain: The region's rocky landscape provides camping experiences unlike other parts of Oklahoma. "This is a beautiful place to camp along the Talimena drive. You are up on top of the Ouachita Mountains and there are beautiful views," mentions a camper at Winding Stair Campground.
Water proximity: Sites near lakes and creeks are consistently rated highly. "Our camp host was super nice and got us a great spot to spend the weekend. I needed an electric hookup to charge the batteries on my boat every night and he was able to give us a site with hookups close to the boat ramp," a visitor at Cedar Lake explained.
Mature pine forests: Tall pines provide shade and create a distinctive camping atmosphere. "The sites are level and clean. There is running water and bathrooms which were relatively clean. The setting is absolutely beautiful with tall pines, rolling hills and a gorgeous lake," notes one Cedar Lake camper.
What you should know
Cell service limitations: Expect minimal to no cell reception at most remote camping areas. "I had Verizon service, but bring what you need - it's a long way to town," advises a Winding Stair Campground visitor.
Wildlife considerations: The area has notable wildlife presence including bears in certain forest areas. "The site had bear caution signs, so be advised," mentions a camper. Another visitor at Cedar Lake reports "Saw a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes."
Water availability: Many dispersed sites have no potable water. "Looked like there were four or five openings for a car or tent. There is a creek with a pool maybe 100 yards downhill from the campsite, great for cooling off on a hot summer day or filtering water," a Dead Man Gap camper explains.
Bathroom facilities: Quality varies significantly between established campgrounds. "The bathroom and shower house is located in the middle of the old circle loop. The structure is very old and very dated stone structure, where you might find frogs sitting on shower curtains, spiders, and lizards," shares a Robbers Cave visitor.
Tips for camping with families
State park activities: Robbers Cave offers family-friendly programming. "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," a visitor mentions.
Lake access points: Choose sites with easy water access for children. "My son also got to play miniature golf for the first time at the course located next to the pool. They also sell shaved ice at the miniature gold building," shares a Deadman Gap South Trail visitor about recreation options.
Trail difficulty considerations: Research trail ratings before hiking with children. "We tried a few trails but were too hard for us. We have a daughter with cerebral palsy that we pull in a wagon and the trails were too rough for the wagon," explains a Robbers Cave camper.
Playground availability: Some campgrounds offer play equipment for younger children. "My son enjoyed the playground, though it is really sized for kids 6 and under," notes a visitor about Talimena State Park's facilities.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Research specific sites as layouts vary significantly. "We stayed at RV site #3 on Quarry Island. The concrete pad was perfectly level and took no time to set up. There were 5 RV sites with full hook ups on isle, even though #4 and #5 are so close to each other that slide outs could bump into each other," advises a Lake Wister State Park visitor.
Road conditions: Forest roads leading to dispersed camping can be challenging. "The road in/out has some tough spots, 4WD would be preferred," explains a Dead Man Gap camper about access considerations.
Spacing concerns: Some established campgrounds have tightly arranged sites. "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 neighbor's sewer connection," warns a Lake Wister visitor about spacing limitations.
Reservation systems: Many campgrounds require advance online booking. "Then there is a sign at the entrance that you must make a reservation online. The website is not super easy to use on a phone," shares a Lake Wister camper regarding the registration process.
