Best Dispersed Camping near Red Oak, OK

Dispersed camping opportunities near Red Oak, Oklahoma center around the Ouachita National Forest, with several established primitive sites requiring no reservations or fees. Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite features multiple camping areas along a forest road with established fire rings. Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite provides secluded spots near a small pond, while Potato Hill Vista offers flat camping areas accessible from Highway 88/1 with connections to the Ouachita Trail. Talimena Scenic Drive contains additional dispersed camping options throughout this mountainous region.

These primitive sites lack developed facilities. No drinking water, toilets, or trash service exists at any location. Several campers noted that Dead Man Gap has "at least 2-3 established campsites along the same main road but along a separate turn off that looks more suited for 4-wheel drive or something sitting higher than a small car." High-clearance vehicles are strongly recommended for accessing most sites, particularly after rain. Fire rings exist at established sites; campers should use existing rings rather than creating new ones. Cell service is extremely limited or nonexistent.

The Ouachita National Forest permits dispersed camping with strict adherence to Leave No Trace principles. Lillard Creek runs near Dead Man Gap but may be seasonally dry. According to reviews, "a small running creek lies at the bottom of a short downhill hike" from the main Dead Man Gap site. The Boardstand Trail connects to Dead Man Gap, offering hiking opportunities to the Ouachita Trail and Talimena Scenic Drive. Weather conditions vary significantly by season, with potential for dense fog along ridge roads. Visitors should pack out all trash, as previous misuse has impacted some areas. Camping is permitted for up to 14 days within a 30-day period on National Forest land.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Red Oak, Oklahoma (7)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Red Oak, OK

18 Reviews of 7 Red Oak Campgrounds


  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 1, 2024

    Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

    Great, quiet location.

    My buddy and I read the other reviews and decided to give this site a go. Someone was camping at the main site just off the park road, and honestly, I’m glad they were there, otherwise we wouldn’t have found the great alternative spot. As the gentleman in the other review said, there ARE three alternative spots back North a little ways on the park road. As you pull off the little turn off just before (or after, depending on which way your going) the bridge of the creek, you’ll find the first spot. It’s nice with an established campfire ring, etc. further down (you definitely want a higher riding vehicle, no sedans down this road) about 40 yards maybe is the second site. This is a great little site as well, again with an established fire ring. Go another 40 ish yards and there is the end of the side ‘road’/stone path and you’ll find the site we stayed at.
    There is a great fire pit and a well established site. As was mentioned in the other review, there was some trash about, but we cleaned it up. If you go here, practice leave no trace. Don’t be a jerk. Even if you never meet another person who camps there, if everyone treats the site like garbage it will be no good for anyone in a short amount of time.
    We noticed that there wasn’t much wildlife about and guessed it was because the creek bed was bone dry and a bunch of smoke in the are might have made them leave (there were a few wildfires in SE Oklahoma when we visited). We’ll probably find another place next time for the sake of adventure, but I could see myself coming back someday.

  • C
    Mar. 20, 2021

    Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

    Great place to treat right

    Great spot. As most have said the main site that this link takes you to is up hill some ways from a creek that runs quite a way through the area snaking around and getting to various fill levels depending on recent weather. It also has great spots to see while hiking around. I've been here twice and loved both times. This second time I discovered there are it seems at least 2-3 more, seemingly established, campsites here. The ones that are not given here are along the same main road but along a separate turn off (IT IS NOT MARKED PRIVATE though there is private property marked in the area) that looks more suited for 4 wheel drive or at least something sitting higher than my small car. The furthest of these is essentially on the other side of the creek down from the main site. I can't speak to how nice they are to stay at but I imagine they are nice enough given how nice the main one is. I did walk through 2 and they didn't look bad as I walked through (the 3rd was occupied so I didn't get a look there just saw a person caming). All and all this place is great and I highly recommend. Just please don't take rocks and set up your own fire ring. The main has 2 already and the others all seem to have one. PLEASE PRACTICE LNT!!!

  • West River J.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2020

    Potato Hill Vista - Dispersed Camping

    Right off the highway and right off the Ouchita Trail

    If you're near the end (heading west) or got a late start heading east, detour north towards Potato Hill Vista for a flat area with a stone fire ring near Highway 88/1. You can throw down your tent here for the night. The side trail even leads to a parking lot off the highway if you're driving and want a place to camp or want someone to pick you up a few miles closer than Talimena State park.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Dec. 8, 2020

    Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

    Perfect for all

    First time in the Ouachita national forest and we found a most excellent spot next to Lillard Creek off of 6010 Deadmans trail Rd. Would recommend a 4wd vehicle. There’s a short rock trail to go up to reach the campsite, also too narrow for my Tundra. Enough space for a family or if your going on a solo camp. Done hanging out at camp? There’s an awesome trail a little north of camp called Boardstand trail, take it east and you you can follow it to 8554 Red Bank, follow it south to Ouachita Trail, then follow it west until you reach Talimena Scenic drive, then you can walk along side the road to the Scenic view of where you were just hiking and bask in its glory! Next you’ll run up on 6010 deadman’s gap trail road again. Take it back down to your camp! Your back! It’s a good 6 mile hike that will get your heart going. Steep hills, beautiful waterways, gorgeous mountains! Nothing better! The creek water runs all the time so no need for your forest noise making machine. All the sounds you’ll need are by the fire and the Lillard Creek. It was a blast! Get out there and breath the fresh air! Peace and Love, Seth Armes

  • Wesley H.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    County Road D1590 Dispersed

    Really in the woods

    Took our class c down the narrow road. Pretty good mostly rock.camp site was clean.

  • Daniel S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 8, 2020

    Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

    Solid Dispersed Campsite

    Pretty great dispersed campsite. If you're not familiar with dispersed camping, PLEASE research it before going. Completely undeveloped other than fire ring. Plenty of flat clear space for tents but we used hammocks, and plenty of trees were available for that. Campsite is right off the forest road and a few miles off the paved road. Surrounded by mature pine trees. 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.

  • Ryin J.
    Sep. 21, 2020

    Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

    A Great Dispersed Camp in Ouachita

    We were skeptical on this spot’s location, but it was very easy to locate (the road in/out has some tough spots, 4WD would be preferred). We camped 9/19/2020 and the spot was great. The previous visitors had left the spot a mess with beer cans and food wrappers (clean up after yourselves, folks!), but after clean-up it was the perfect spot. A small running creek lies at the bottom of a short downhill hike. Our closest neighbors were at least 300 yards away and we only knew they were there because we had hiked away from our camp and noticed their fire. Highly recommend this spot for anyone willing to be 100% off-grid (no cell service or nearby bathrooms). Be weary of the spiders (daddy long legs) and stick bugs everywhere! Harmless but creeped out the young one.

  • M
    Jun. 9, 2024

    Pigeon Creek Dispersed

    No access

    We drove slowly back and forth along the road exactly where the coordinates lead us to but there is no vehicle access to the forest there. It’s completely overgrown

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 4, 2024

    Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

    Great secluded spot

    Stayed here in early November the creek was dry but beautiful. 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.


Guide to Red Oak

Dispersed camping near Red Oak, Oklahoma centers on the Ouachita National Forest, with elevations ranging from 500 to 2,500 feet throughout the region. The forest encompasses 1.8 million acres across Oklahoma and Arkansas, with primitive camping areas scattered throughout the mountainous terrain. Forest roads often become challenging after rainfall, with many sites requiring careful navigation even in dry conditions.

What to do

Hiking connections: The Boardstand Trail provides multiple hiking opportunities. "There's an awesome trail a little north of camp called Boardstand trail, take it east and you you can follow it to 8554 Red Bank, follow it south to Ouachita Trail, then follow it west until you reach Talimena Scenic drive," notes Steven A., describing a complete 6-mile loop back to camp.

Water activities: During wet seasons, cool off in natural water features. At Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite, Brett F. reports "the pond was calm, with some bullfrogs and snakes which were cool to experience." The small ponds and seasonal creeks provide opportunities for wildlife viewing.

Scenic driving: Forest roads offer access to various viewpoints. "This is an awesome place the drive is well worth it too as long as you don't catch fog like we did," warns Aaron T. about driving conditions on mountain roads, adding "you couldn't see 2ft in front of your car it was crazy how bad it was."

What campers like

Secluded environment: Many sites offer privacy from other campers. "We camped 9/19/2020 and the spot was great... Our closest neighbors were at least 300 yards away and we only knew they were there because we had hiked away from our camp and noticed their fire," reports Ryin J.

Natural water sources: Several camping areas feature creek access for filtering drinking water or cooling off. Jessica W. describes Pigeon Creek Dispersed as "surrounded by trees, moss and running blue mountain spring water. What's not to love?"

Multiple site options: Many areas have several potential camping spots. John H. notes, "As you pull off the little turn off just before the bridge of the creek, you'll find the first spot. It's nice with an established campfire ring... further down about 40 yards maybe is the second site... Go another 40 ish yards and there is the end of the side 'road'/stone path and you'll find the site we stayed at."

What you should know

Vehicle requirements: Many access roads require appropriate vehicles. "Would recommend a 4wd vehicle. There's a short rock trail to go up to reach the campsite, also too narrow for my Tundra," cautions Steven A. Some sites become inaccessible without high-clearance vehicles after rain.

Limited access: Not all marked camping areas have clear access points. At County Road D1590 Dispersed, Wesley H. notes the site is "Definitely isolated, kind of creepy at night. Drove our 29ft class c to the site, road is mostly small rocks."

Seasonality: Water features may be present or absent depending on recent rainfall. Kaleb G. reports, "Stayed here in early November the creek was dry but beautiful." Wildlife presence also varies seasonally, with some campers reporting "bullfrogs and snakes" at pond sites.

Tips for camping with families

Site selection: Choose established sites with flat areas for tents. Daniel S. describes one area having "Plenty of flat clear space for tents but we used hammocks, and plenty of trees were available for that."

Wildlife education: Use the natural environment for learning opportunities. At Talimena Scenic Drive, various campgrounds offer wildlife viewing. One camper advises, "Be weary of the spiders (daddy long legs) and stick bugs everywhere! Harmless but creeped out the young one."

Space assessment: Verify site size before arrival. Larry B. cautions about one location: "If this is the site it's small. Could possibly get 3 small pickup trucks side by side in this spot. if you don't need a big area then this would be a nice place."

Tips from RVers

Road clearance: Forest roads require careful navigation. Wesley H. reports taking "our class c down the narrow road. Pretty good mostly rock. Camp site was clean." High-profile vehicles may struggle on some tree-covered access roads.

Campsite size: Some dispersed sites accommodate larger vehicles. Shahar O. describes one location near Potato Hill Vista as "Private, safe, clean" with sufficient space for vehicle camping.

Terrain challenges: Be prepared for rocky terrain. Jessica W. advises, "The road in was a little bumpy take it slow and you'll be fine... The terrain is rocky so use a thick mat or hammock but you will love it."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Red Oak, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Red Oak, OK is Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite with a 4.3-star rating from 9 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Red Oak, OK?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 dispersed camping locations near Red Oak, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.