Camping spots near Poteau, Oklahoma sit in the Ouachita Mountain region, where elevations range from 500 to 2,600 feet with a humid subtropical climate. The area receives about 54 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush vegetation and water features that enhance camping conditions. Winter camping remains popular with temperatures rarely dropping below 30°F during December through February.
What to do
Hiking trails access: Heavener Runestone Park offers well-maintained paths suitable for various skill levels. "The hiking was beautiful and just challenging enough to be fun while accessible for little kids," notes one visitor who camped at site 1. Another camper shares, "There is an awesome hiking trail that takes you down into the valley and to the runestone itself."
Fishing opportunities: Cedar Lake provides excellent bank and boat fishing access. "We brought our kayaks and had so much fun hitting the lake in the morning. It does get busy as the day goes on, especially in the summer on the weekends," one reviewer explains. The lake is stocked with multiple fish species making it popular year-round.
Wildlife viewing: Winding Stair Campground in the Ouachita National Forest offers chances to spot native wildlife. A visitor reports, "The views are spectacular, lots of wildlife, all the wildflowers were blooming, and it was so quiet." Morning and evening hours provide the best opportunities for seeing deer, turkeys, and various bird species.
What campers like
Pine forest setting: Heavener Runestone Park gets praise for its wooded environment. One camper describes, "It smelled amazing and the ground was covered in a thick bed of pine needles." These fragrant surroundings create natural privacy between many campsites.
Secluded tent sites: Cedar Lake campground offers spacious, separated sites. "Campgrounds were incredibly peaceful and quiet. Each site has a tent pad, picnic table, grill, lantern poles, fire pit, parking spot and small counter-like food prep area," according to a recent visitor. The design allows for privacy while maintaining access to facilities.
Winter camping experiences: Victor Campground at Lake Wister receives positive reviews during off-season months. "Very pretty campground, clean and relatively quiet this time of year. A very few campers here the week of Christmas 2020," notes one winter visitor. The reduced crowds and cooler temperatures create a different experience than summer camping.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Most developed campgrounds require advance booking. At Below the Dam Campground, "All reservations are done through the state's pay line and can be easily done however if you are struggling I was told you can also stop at the Corp site for some guidance (office just at entrance)." Some primitive sites remain first-come, first-served.
Bathroom facilities: Comfort stations vary significantly between locations. A Cedar Lake visitor notes, "Running water and bathrooms which were relatively clean. There was no campground host and nobody came to check our reservations, but it was not crowded so that could be why." Several campgrounds offer showers while others provide vault toilets only.
Water availability: Bring drinking water to certain locations. At Heavener Runestone Park, "You do need to bring your own drinking water in," warns a camper. Water spigots at some campgrounds may not function reliably, especially in early spring or late fall.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Winding Stair Campground offers recreation areas for children. "There were several day visitors using the little playground and picnic tables, so I imagine it would be pretty busy and probably a lot less peaceful in the warmer seasons," observes one winter camper. Several parks provide designated play areas.
Site selection for safety: Choose appropriate sites when camping with children. At Heavener Runestone Park, "Out of the three cliff tent sites I would say only 1 was safe for kids, 2 and 3 were too close to the cliff (beautiful views though)." Research individual site layouts before booking when traveling with young ones.
Educational opportunities: Local history provides learning experiences. "The history around the Runestone is so interesting, the kids loved hearing about the Vikings," shares a family camper at Heavener Runestone Park. Many campgrounds offer interpretive signs or nearby historic sites.
Tips from RVers
Site layout challenges: Wards Campground offers more spacious RV parking than some alternatives. "Ward landing isn't as cramped as Victor landing which is why we like it, but it doesn't have sewer connections," explains a regular visitor. Research site dimensions before arrival, especially for larger rigs.
Leveling considerations: Some campsites require significant leveling. At Cedar Lake, "Our concrete pad at site A5 had a bit of an incline, and it looked to be the case for some others as well," notes one RVer. Bring leveling blocks even at improved sites with concrete pads.
Hookup variations: Long Lake Resort provides full service connections. "The RV area looked new because all of the power boxes had 50/30 and 120 outlets and breakers which is super cool. All of the sites had sewer and water connections too," according to a visitor. Electric options range from basic 30-amp to full 50-amp service depending on campground.
