Affordable primitive camping, near Lake Ft. Smith, south of Devil's Den State Park
Peaceful, laid-back
Tent camping October 2024. It was a nice change from camping at busy state parks. Its private land and a relaxed judgement free experience.
171 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds surrounding Muldrow, Oklahoma include several established options along the Arkansas River and nearby reservoirs. The Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA provides full amenities with tent camping, RV sites, cabins, and glamping accommodations, while Corps of Engineers facilities like Short Mountain Cove and Applegate Cove Campground offer more basic facilities. Most campgrounds in this area feature water proximity, either along Robert S. Kerr Reservoir or the Arkansas River, with varying levels of hookups, shower facilities, and recreational amenities. Brushy Lake State Park, about 25 miles north of Muldrow, provides year-round camping with both electric hookups and primitive tent sites.
Access to most camping areas remains consistent year-round, though some Corps of Engineers sites operate seasonally from April through September. "Most sites are electric which worked fine and were needed to plug in our space heater," noted one winter camper at Short Mountain Cove. Campers should be aware that many campgrounds require reservations through recreation.gov, particularly for waterfront sites which tend to book well in advance. Summer brings high temperatures and humidity, making spring and fall more comfortable for tent campers. Several campgrounds experience periodic flooding along the Arkansas River during heavy rain seasons. Road conditions are generally good with paved access to most established campgrounds, though some secondary roads may have potholes or deteriorated sections.
Waterfront camping represents the primary draw for visitors to the Muldrow area, with multiple options for fishing, boating, and water recreation. Many campers specifically seek sites with views of the Arkansas River or Robert S. Kerr Reservoir. A visitor to Short Mountain Cove noted that "mini docks at sites make it nice for fishing. The sites are close to water." The region includes some basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and drinking water, though service levels vary significantly between privately-operated and public facilities. Campers frequently mention the opportunity to observe barge traffic on the Arkansas River as an unexpected highlight. For those seeking more isolation, primitive camping options exist but require greater self-sufficiency as these areas typically lack amenities and services. Wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant, particularly for birdwatchers, with several reviews mentioning Eastern bluebirds and waterfowl sightings.
"They also have normal cabin rental and tiny home rentals that were perfectly positioned around campground and fishing pond. My only complaint would be that the sites are really compact."
"Also hiking trails. Also some tent sites. There is a whole new section for Class A and large 5th wheel campers now."
"We camp here a lot because it's close to home. Very reasonable and easy access to bank fishing. Clean bathrooms with hot showers. Offers shaded spots or some that are a little more open."
"Really nice campground you have two options in the A section you are right one a small river and one the B side it’s more of the wooded option but most sites have the Arkansas rive close by with mountain"
from $16 - $75 / night
Check Availability"The trails are great and our campsite had a path right down to the river. The water hookup was a bit tricky, it leaks all over the place until you turn it all the way."
"Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas. The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen. The facilities and amenities have been great. "
from $20 / night
Check Availability"It is located right along the river and is close to other attractions like Fort Smith and the US Marshall’s Museum (literally down the block)."
"Campground is adjacent to the Arkansas River (thus the name) and less than 2 miles from the Fort Smith National Historic Site."
"The ground was a bit hard to drive tent stakes into, but I'm attributing that to the weather and season until I visit again and disprove that."
"Right off the lake with awesome scenery. Couple who manages the place is really nice and helpful. Would stop here again."
"21 RV spots available around a small, family lake. Water and electric hook ups and clean dump station. Small park/play area and two large pavilions. Hiking trail located at the back of the park."
"For activities there's a couple of nice trails. There's a rental for canoes, boating fishing and I took and rode my bike around the lake, which was a nice ride."
"The campground is set among tall trees adjacent to the John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake and James W. Trimble Lock and Dam of the Arkansas River."
"I had site B09 which was far away from any other sites, had good shade, and had a view of the river. There are great trails on site for mountain biking or hiking."
"What it does offer is a level parking pad that is quiet and dark which is surprising given it is surrounded by Fort Smith. It also has a decent view of the Arkansas River."
from $14 - $24 / night
Check Availability











Tent camping October 2024. It was a nice change from camping at busy state parks. Its private land and a relaxed judgement free experience.
Small, charming, green campground with specious sites. Fantastic view of the water.
Loved it. Quiet, friendly. Sign in with host. No envelopes. Online now but still buggy. Can't beat the rate. We'll be back.
We have stayed here on and off over a year - and there’s a reason we keep coming back. It’s quaint and friendly. Tim (the owner) is hilarious and so helpful.
Van: Promaster 3500 159 Ext
Company: Dog
Spot comes up on you Fast when driving: Tip if you come from Talihini: You'll see a very clear road on your LEFT (Another Spot) slow down and look on your Right. You'll see the Tree Pattern & the fire pit in the Pictures Posted
Road into Site: Slightly Rocky but w/ Quality Tires No Issue
Privacy Level: Medium-High (You'll see the road but I'd say 1-2 cars drove by every 3-4 hours and could hardly hear them.) The spot comes up so fast also that if you aren't looking for it you probably don't even notice anyone there.
Pros: 2 Man Made Fire Pits, Van Accessible. The view is good but it's not grand. For a free remote camping spot though, a perfect add-on. Mosquito Activity is almost non-existent.
Cons: Gnats were pretty consistent but it was Ticks that cut it short for us. Found 2 on me back to back: made an effort from that point on to be more aware: went to the restroom within 30 seconds, I had another one crawling up my leg. God knows how many are on the Dog 🐕 🫠
Recommended: 8/10. Eye shot of the Road is Nice: B/c if it starts raining the road in can get mucky but it did its jobs w/o issue.
Good for tents and smaller rigs. Beautiful wooded area with great hiking.
People around during daylight. Quiet at sundown. Fine for just an overnight. Beware of ticks.
Park has lots of hiking trails and lots of pro mountain bike trails too. The main Devils Den trail was closed for repairs when I arrived but still enjoyed the park. I have Verizon and the reception there was awful.
Owners are exceptional. New park. Nicely landscaped but trees are immature, no shade. Newly expanded to around 50 sites. Lot of extended stays but immaculate. Small lake with catch and release fishing. Community fireplace, pool and nice playground. Tell Gus (resident Golden Retriever and greeter) "hi."
Camping sites near Muldrow, Oklahoma cluster along the Arkansas River and its associated Robert S. Kerr Reservoir, with elevations around 500 feet above sea level. The area's limestone terrain creates distinct fishing habitats where multiple fish species thrive throughout the year. Winter temperatures often drop below freezing at night, making electric hookups essential for cold-weather campers using space heaters or other warming equipment.
Kayaking and paddling opportunities: At Springhill Park, visitors can launch directly from their campsite into Massard Creek. "I have been camping out here for years but never took advantage of the A side. A12-14 are premian spots to camp. I tent camp and the view is amazing. It's in between the Arkansas river and Massard creek. You can go kayaking in Massard creek," reports one camper.
Fishing from mini docks: Several campsites feature private fishing platforms directly at your site. "Mini docks at sites make it nice for fishing. The sites are close to water," notes a visitor about Short Mountain Cove. These small docks allow for convenient fishing access without needing to relocate your gear to a separate fishing area.
Basketball and sports facilities: Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA maintains active recreation options including basketball courts. "Basketball hoop, pool and hot tub, pond with kayaks, and more. Laundry, showers and a decent shop too," writes one reviewer, highlighting the variety of sporting options available beyond water activities.
Waterfront access: Devil's Den State Park offers sites with direct water views. As one camper notes, "I felt like we had our own little dock to cast off from. It felt like we had our own little dock to cast off from." This private water access ranks highly among visitor preferences.
Hot showers after outdoor activities: Clean bathroom facilities matter to campers who've spent the day outdoors. A Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA visitor remarked: "Great family owners, best showers ever for a camplground! Fabulous showers." Quality shower facilities are consistently mentioned as a campground highlight.
Level sites for easy setup: Finding flat camping spots can be challenging in this hilly region. At Riverfront RV Resort, campers appreciate the site preparation: "Most sites are concrete pads and even the gravel sites have a concrete pad for the picnic table." This thoughtful design prevents the common frustration of unlevel sites.
Water quality varies significantly: Some campgrounds provide remarkably pure water. At Springhill Park, a visitor tested "30 Amp hook up with some of the best water I have ever had. Only 35 ppm on my zero water tester. Bottled water has had more than 75 ppm."
Gate access hours may restrict late arrivals: Many campgrounds implement nighttime closure policies. Corps of Engineers facilities typically have gates that "open at 6AM and close at 10PM" with strictly enforced quiet hours from 10PM to 6AM.
Bathroom closures during off-season: Winter campers should verify facility availability before arrival. At John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake Springhill Campground, a visitor noted: "I was dismayed to learn that the restroom in our loop was locked up, likely for the winter... it would have been nice to know this in advance."
Shared water hookups at some sites: At certain campgrounds, adjacent sites share a water connection. "Water was to be shared with neighbor site, so why am I paying full price. Pretty stupid," commented one camper at Robert S. Kerr Applegate Cove, suggesting checking the specific site details before booking.
Look for campgrounds with multiple playgrounds: Applegate Cove Campground offers "Two playgrounds and a clean bath/shower house," making it suitable for families with children of different ages who need diverse play options.
Seek out bounce pads and swimming pools: Some campgrounds offer specialized family-friendly amenities. One visitor to Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA mentioned they "enjoyed the pool, bounce pad & basketball" with their family, creating multiple entertainment options regardless of weather.
Consider accessibility needs: Not all campgrounds accommodate mobility challenges. A visitor noted about Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA: "This campground is nice but not really wheelchair friendly. The road was really large rock that is very bumpy and uncomfortable to wheel over."
Site incline varies significantly: At Brushy Lake State Park, "21 RV spots available around a small, family lake" with "water and electric hook ups and clean dump station." However, many campers throughout the region note unlevel sites requiring leveling blocks or jacks.
Full hookup availability limited: Most campgrounds offer electric and water but lack sewer connections. "Full hookups, some shade, a dump station," reports a visitor about available amenities, highlighting the need to plan for dump station visits rather than expecting sewer hookups at your site.
Small general stores provide emergency supplies: While not comprehensive shopping, some campgrounds maintain basic provisions. "The office also has a gameroom, pantry, and propane," notes a Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA visitor, though serious grocery shopping requires a trip to nearby towns.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Muldrow, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, Muldrow, OK offers a wide range of camping options, with 171 campgrounds and RV parks near Muldrow, OK and 12 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Muldrow, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Muldrow, OK is Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA with a 4.6-star rating from 14 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Muldrow, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 12 free dispersed camping spots near Muldrow, OK.
What parks are near Muldrow, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Muldrow, OK that allow camping, notably John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake and Tenkiller Ferry Lake.
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