Camping options near Sallisaw, Oklahoma stretch along the Arkansas River basin where Robert S. Kerr Reservoir creates multiple shoreline camping opportunities. Most campgrounds in the area sit at elevations between 500-700 feet, with hot, humid summers where temperatures regularly exceed 90°F from June through September. Winter camping remains viable at several locations with reduced crowds and temperatures typically ranging from 30-50°F.
What to do
Fishing for stripers: Robert S. Kerr Reservoir offers prime fishing opportunities, especially for stripers. "Kerr Lake is considered one of the top striper fishing lakes in Oklahoma," notes a visitor to Cowlington Point. The lake also supports crappie, sand bass, catfish and black bass.
Trail hiking: Several camping areas provide access to hiking trails with diverse terrain. At Devil's Den State Park Campground, visitors recommend the Yellow Rock Trail. One camper explains: "I highly suggest hiking the Yellow Rock trail just outside of the campground. The large rock 'mountain' it leads you too are so much fun to play on. They have tiny caves and are incredibly easy to craw around on."
Watersports: Beyond fishing, several campgrounds offer swimming, boating and kayaking. "The reservoir offers boating, kayaking, SUP, fishing, hiking, nature trails plenty to keep you busy," reports a reviewer at Cowlington Point. For families, Greenleaf State Park includes "a splash pad to cool off at" which is "fairly new and kept in great shape."
What campers like
Peaceful water views: Campsites with water views rank among the most requested at campgrounds near Sallisaw. A visitor to Applegate Cove Campground reported "Beautiful sunsets, quit and very clean. Two playgrounds and a clean bath/shower house. We love camping here." The campground provides direct access to the Arkansas River.
Smaller, quieter alternatives: While larger campgrounds draw more visitors, smaller parks like Brushy Lake State Park Campground offer a more relaxed experience. One camper described it as "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. Lake is great for fishing and kayaking. Not a major boating or water sport lake."
Winter camping options: Several campgrounds remain open year-round, with Devil's Den State Park getting particular praise for off-season visits. "If you dig the crowds and the splash park scene and the loud music... hit it in the summer. But if you like it quiet and peaceful check it out in the winter or early spring," advised one regular visitor.
What you should know
Reservation systems vary: Some Corps of Engineers campgrounds require advance planning through Recreation.gov. A camper at Applegate Cove warns, "We tried to get in to this nice little place late on a Friday afternoon only to find it was all booked up... I had tried to call ahead hours before, but the phone number listed takes you to the Army Corp of Engineers who are technically in charge of all these campgrounds but they do not know the status of reservations so you must call 877-444-6777."
Seasonal closures: Many campgrounds operate on limited schedules. Snake Creek operates from March 1 to September 30, while Cowlington Point runs May 1 to September 30. When visiting in the off-season, check facility availability as one camper at Webbers Falls City Park noted, "The sign on the bathroom said it was closed for the season."
Shared water hookups: At several campgrounds, particularly Corps of Engineers sites, water hookups may be shared between sites. A visitor to COE Robert S. Kerr Applegate Cove mentioned: "Stayed for a few days in level site(6). Water was to be shared with neighbor site, so why am I paying full price. Pretty stupid." They recommended bringing extra hose length and a Y-connector.
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. The Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA has "Several things for kids including a pool," according to one visitor. Another camper noted, "We enjoyed the pool, bounce pad & basketball" at the same location.
Consider accessibility needs: Families with mobility concerns should research access features. "There is a shuttle runs that is wheelchair accessible that will take you into town for Wal-Mart runs and more," reports a visitor to Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA, though they cautioned, "This campground is nice but not really wheelchair friendly. The road was really large rock that is very bumpy and uncomfortable to wheel over."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Multiple campgrounds offer wildlife watching opportunities kids enjoy. At Greenleaf State Park, one regular visitor shares, "Animals! Turtles, deer that like to be petted, frogs croaking at night, owls talking, beavers splashing in the lake and turkeys eating snakes!"
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Many Corps of Engineers campgrounds have uneven sites. "The sites might not be perfectly level and be a bit broken and gravel but we can make do," explains one camper at Applegate Cove. Similarly, at Snake Creek, a visitor noted, "There are about 110 wooded sites here with either gravel, paved or concrete sites."
Proximity concerns: Some campgrounds place RV sites very close together. A camper at Marval Camping Resort reported, "The sites are close together, it was beyond crowded (my son couldn't even ride his bike because of the constant amount of cars)." Consider requesting sites along perimeters or water for more space.
Cell service limitations: Connectivity varies significantly by location. While good cell service exists at Snake Creek ("Verizon Wireless Cell connection is really good. 42ms Ping, 670mb/s Down, 22.3mb/s Up"), other parks like Devil's Den have "no cell service whatsoever but Wifi (paid) is offered by the park."
