Sardis Lake sits amid the Sans Bois Mountains of southeastern Oklahoma, with surrounding campgrounds at elevations between 600-900 feet. The lake spans 14,360 acres with 117 miles of shoreline offering water-based recreation. Winter temperatures typically range from 30°F to 50°F while summer brings 75°F to 95°F with high humidity.
What to do
Trout fishing: McGee Creek State Park offers year-round fishing opportunities including designated trout fishing areas. "I camped here with my 12 year old cousin here and he absolutely loved it. There is free admission but it costed 12 dollars for the site which was really cheap," notes a visitor from McGee Creek State Park.
Hiking through pine forests: Cedar Lake features multiple trail systems including the 14-mile Horsethief Springs Trail. "We always have Cedar Lake on our list of places to visit in Spring and Fall. The sites are well spaced and even on busy weekends you aren't really ever bothering anyone. The lake offers plenty of chances to fish and swim but we go for the trails," according to a regular visitor at Cedar Lake.
Water activities: Beyond swimming, many locations offer boat rentals. "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. There is a concrete pier that is located along the swim ropes that you can climb up and jump off of. Besides swimming you could rent peddle boats, canoes, and paddle boards to go exploring," describes a camper who visited Robbers Cave State Park.
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Many glamping locations close to Sardis Lake offer privacy between sites. "The campsites are gravel and have tins of ants... Just a warning. When the sun comes up there is a silver glow on the water beautifull," notes a visitor at McGee Creek State Park.
Wildlife viewing: The Sans Bois Mountains provide habitat for diverse wildlife. "Saw a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes," reports a camper at Cedar Lake, highlighting the natural encounters possible when luxury camping near Sardis Lake.
Family-friendly amenities: K River Campground offers upgraded facilities beyond basic camping. "They have a community kitchen anyone can use! The river was low but very enjoyable. The only annoyance were the multitude of ATVs using the campground roads and the river bed instead of sticking to the ATV trails," explains one visitor who appreciated the campground's infrastructure.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities at some glamping sites close to Sardis Lake may need maintenance. "Showers need cleaning and water pressure is very poor," notes one camper at Robbers Cave State Park, contrasting with the luxury accommodations.
Reservation requirements: Most sites require advance booking. "Reservation accepted 877-444-6777 or recreation.gov. Check In 6 pm, Check out 4 pm," explains a visitor at Brooken Cove Campground.
Seasonal considerations: Water levels fluctuate throughout the year. "We took a group of Trail Life boys there and we had a good time. There are plenty of good trails near by and we used Cedar Lake as our basecamp. The only problem we had was that someone ran their loud generator all night," reports a group leader.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for children. "Great playground for kids, clean bathrooms with showers. There are several sandy beach areas and the water is shallow for a great distance out, making it good for swimming. Beware of an abundance of geese who frequent the park and leave lovely little presents everywhere," warns a camper at Brooken Cove.
Kid-friendly activities: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park offers structured programs beyond traditional camping. "Clean facilities. Lots of activities for the kids such as pool, lake inflatables, putt-putt, indoor guided crafts, sand sifting, fire pits, and playground. You are able to cross over to the sister park and enjoy their amenities," reports a family who recently visited.
Trail difficulty information: When glamping with kids near Sardis Lake, trail selection matters. "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. We did hike up to see robbers cave and the terrain was beautiful," explains a family that visited Robbers Cave State Park.
Tips from RVers
Site-specific challenges: Some RV sites have physical limitations. "Site 51 was the best view. Long but narrow paved spot. We couldn't back all the way up because the tree was too low, but the spot was long enough where it wasn't an issue. The water spicket was about 80 ft away," reports an RVer at Brooken Cove Campground.
Hookup details: Boondockers Landing offers full-service RV sites. "Nestled right beside the upper Mountain Fork river, this campground doesn't disappoint. Roomy, with large shade trees, cement pads and all services. This is as near perfect as you can get!" notes an enthusiastic RVer.
Tree clearance considerations: Tree limbs can present challenges for larger RVs. "Be mindful of a couple trees overhanging the way in, but we were able to get through without issue hitting any. We have a 13.5 ft tall and 45 ft long fifth wheel," advises a camper who successfully navigated the roads at Brooken Cove.
