Cabin camping near Spiro, Oklahoma provides access to both Ozark Mountain foothills and Ouachita Mountain terrain with elevations ranging from 500-2,000 feet. The region receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually, creating lush forests and lakes. Spring and fall bring mild temperatures in the 60s and 70s, while summer months regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Kayaking and fishing ponds: At Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA, visitors can access a fishing pond with kayaks for rent. "Lots to do here at this conveniently located spot. Basketball hoop, pool and hot tub, pond with kayaks, and more," notes Ben P.
Explore caves and rock formations: Devil's Den State Park offers unique geological features within an hour's drive of Spiro. "The large rock 'mountain' it leads you too are so much fun to play on. They have tiny caves and are incredibly easy to crawl around on," shares Cj C., who recommends bringing bug spray.
Wildlife viewing: Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground provides opportunities to observe local wildlife in their natural habitat. The campground is "heavily forested with pine trees" according to Kelly Z., who notes it was "not very crowded" during fall and spring visits, making it ideal for quiet nature observation.
What campers like
Waterfront camping options: Long Lake Resort features sites with direct water access. "Buffalo, horses and awesome amounts of fish! We stayed here in a duplex cabin... They have hiking trails and 2 private lakes," notes Cynthia H.
Clean, modern facilities: Lake Fort Smith State Park receives high marks for its well-maintained amenities. "Absolutely the cleanest and most beautiful campground we've been in - in this part of the county yet. Sites spread far enough apart for privacy, full hook ups, cleanest bathhouses, and beautiful scenery," writes Jennifer O.
Trail accessibility: Campers appreciate the variety of hiking options that connect directly to campsites. "The Ozark Highland Trail is directly behind the campsites on the lake side," notes Ryan S. about Lake Fort Smith State Park. Similarly, at Cedar Lake, "There is a really fun trail that runs right around the entire lake, and it's a little over two miles," according to Patrick G.
What you should know
Seasonal maintenance closures: Some campgrounds undergo periodic maintenance that may affect availability. At Cedar Lake, Susan F. advises, "Cedar Lake is going to be closed for few weeks during Fall of 2019 for maintenance and repairs. I would be sure and call office before traveling there in hopes of camping!"
Limited cell coverage: Many campgrounds in the region have spotty or no cellular service. At Devil's Den, one camper notes, "There's no cell service whatsoever but Wifi (paid) is offered by the park."
Site spacing varies significantly: Robbers Cave State Park offers different campground loops with varying levels of privacy. "We booked our site online after having looked at the rv sites a few weeks beforehand, so we knew what we were getting... we stayed on the old circle drive," reports Wayne T., who appreciated that there were "not alot of flying insects."
Tips for camping with families
Look for splash pads and swimming areas: Greenleaf State Park offers water recreation options popular with families. "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," writes Richard.
Consider site hazards for small children: Some campsites have challenging terrain features that may be difficult for young children. At Lake Fort Smith, Ryan S. cautions, "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."
Choose campgrounds with ranger programs: Robbers Cave offers scheduled activities for families. Kyle H. shares, "When you get to camp they will give you a schedule of all the events that are going on throughout the week you are staying. We did a hayride that lead us through the park to the stables where there is a petting zoo."
Tips from RVers
Site selection at Lake Wister: Victor Campground at Lake Wister State Park requires careful site selection for larger RVs. "Our RV is 35 FT long and while it's rated for this length it was a little difficult to back into, because of surrounding trees," reports Rainy G., who stayed at site 51.
Water hookup preparation: Some campgrounds have shared water hookups requiring extra equipment. At Greenleaf State Park, Kassi S. advises, "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."
Pay attention to access roads: Some campgrounds have challenging approach roads. At Lake Fort Smith State Park, a reviewer cautions, "Not really a place for a quick overnight, the road in is steep and crooked."
