Camping around Sallisaw spans eastern Oklahoma's hilly terrain at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet, with mild winters and hot, humid summers. The area falls within the Ozark Highlands ecoregion, characterized by oak-hickory forests and limestone outcroppings. Spring and fall offer the most comfortable camping conditions with daytime temperatures between 65-80°F and cooler nights.
What to do
Hiking trails with wildlife viewing: At Greenleaf State Park Campground, the marked trails accommodate various skill levels. "The trails at greenleaf are well maintained and marked. Their primitive camping is accessible and well kept. I enjoy the size of the park it is small and offers a lot of room for exploring. Never experienced a large crowd here," notes Cody L.
Water recreation on multiple lakes: Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground offers boating, fishing and swimming options from spring through fall. One visitor shared, "The fishing form the dock is fruitful. From a boat even better," and another mentioned "Lake Ft. Smith State Park is a beautiful park in the Boston Mountains."
Family-friendly amenities: Marval Camping Resort features structured activities beyond standard camping. "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 Candy U.
Historical sites exploration: Robbers Cave State Park offers unique historical attractions. "Lots of history at Robbers Cave State Park! Belle Starr famous Lady Outlaw! Jesse James Gang! Beautiful lakes and numerous hiking trails!" reports Eddie J. The cave itself requires a moderate hike with some elevation gain.
What campers like
Peaceful lake access: Chicken Creek Campground offers direct water access with fewer crowds. "We had a great spot located 200 yards from the lake. Also had the boat dock just on the other side of us. Great place to stay, friendly staff! Had a picnic table, grill and a covered area to sit at as well," shares Ashley T.
Off-season tranquility: For glamping close to Sallisaw, Oklahoma, visiting during shoulder seasons provides a different experience. "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. Fall colors are beautiful but attract a crowd," advises a visitor at Greenleaf State Park.
Year-round fishing opportunities: Brooken Cove Campground offers consistent fishing access. "Fish constantly flopping in and out of the water, missed out on not bringing a permit and pole!" mentions Shawn K. Many sites provide direct lake access for fishing from your campsite.
Clean facilities: Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground maintains high standards for facilities. "Very nice park! Did not expect it to be so picturesque! Very well kept. Campground AAA sites (1-20) offer full hook-ups and are spread out for privacy and offer longer pads," notes Steve S.
What you should know
Weather considerations: Summer storms can impact camping experiences. At Brooken Cove, a camper noted: "We arrived shortly after Hurricane Laura, so her aftermath caused rain and lightning storms but we certainly cannot fault the park for that." Flash flooding can occur, particularly in spring.
Bathhouse quality varies: While some parks maintain excellent facilities, others need improvement. At Sequoyah State Park, one camper warned: "However, the showers will cost you, so bring quarters. Plus, the ones we saw looked like they had black mold all around. Needless to say, we did not use the showers."
Crowding issues during peak season: Sequoyah State Park can become congested. "We camped at the Choctaw tent campground, which sits right on the lake. The trails were so fun and the park is beautiful. Bathrooms and showers were clean. However, we found this campground to be overcrowded with many people coming to the lake for the day," reports Vanessa W.
Reservation requirements: Most campgrounds accept reservations, but some operate on first-come, first-served basis during off-season. "Peak Season April 01 to September 30. First-come, First-served October 01 to November 30," notes a Chicken Creek visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pads and water features: Several parks offer water recreation beyond lakes. "The absolute best part of this park is the splash pad. It was the best splash pad we've been too. They had a cool slide and we had a blast," shares Richard about Greenleaf State Park.
Playground access: For luxury glamping near Sallisaw, Oklahoma with children, select sites close to playgrounds. At Brooken Cove, a visitor mentioned: "Nice selection of camping spots, Many with shade and lots of space to spread out. Great playground for kids, clean bathrooms with showers."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Children enjoy observing local wildlife. "Animals! Turtles, deer that like to be petted, frogs croaking at night, owls talking, beavers splashing in the lake and turkeys eating snakes!" exclaims Julie O. about her experience at Greenleaf State Park.
Site selection for safety: For families with young children, consider terrain. "Many of the campsites are on a grade. They all have multiple levels with stairs and have no railings. We had 5 children <6 years of age and the sites were somewhat perilous," cautions Ryan S. about Lake Fort Smith.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing considerations: Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA offers pull-through sites with varying privacy. "My only complaint would be that the sites are really compact. Plenty of room for your RV but so close that you can hear and smell your neighbors," advises Craig E.
Water hookups: At some parks, water connections require special planning. "The only disadvantage to this park is some sites share water. In our site we needed 50 ft of water hose and I would suggest bringing a 'y' water connector," suggests Kassi S. from Greenleaf State Park.
Leveling challenges: At Brooken Cove, site selection affects leveling requirements. "I got spot 42 which has the perfect view and lots of space, but the pad is on an incline and my jacks couldn't extend without using rocks that were already there for that very reason," explains Robert G.
Road access considerations: Some parks have challenging access roads. At Lake Fort Smith State Park, a visitor warned: "Not really a place for a quick overnight, the road in is steep and crooked."