Camping options near Spiro, Oklahoma span across eastern Oklahoma and western Arkansas, with most sites situated between 500-1,500 feet elevation. The region features a humid subtropical climate with hot summers reaching over 90°F and mild winters, though mountain locations experience cooler temperatures. Fall camping is particularly popular when humidity drops and daytime temperatures average in the 70s with cool, crisp nights.
What to do
Hiking at Cedar Lake: The 3-mile lake perimeter trail offers accessible hiking with forest and water views. "We love 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. We enjoy the Horsetheif Springs Trail which starts behind the dump station. You can either hike a small couple mail loop or extend it to 14 miles," notes a visitor to Cedar Lake.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Tenkiller provides clear water fishing with multiple species. A camper at Chicken Creek mentions, "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!" The lake is known for bass, crappie, and catfish.
Scuba diving: Lake Tenkiller offers unique underwater exploration with visibility up to 28 feet. "Lake Tenkiller is an amazing location to scuba dive. A diver will have the opportunity to investigate a sunken airplane fuselage, school bus, helicopter and two boats. In some areas of the lake divers can see the remains of homesteads."
What campers like
Mountain views: White Rock Mountain Recreation Area provides panoramic vistas. "January 31-Feb 3 2025. White Rock is a great little campground. With only 8 tent camp sites it is very quaint. The cabins were packed and there were many people visiting the overlook but my partner and I were the only tent campers," reports a visitor to White Rock Mountain Recreation Area.
Clean facilities: Lake Fort Smith State Park maintains exceptional bathhouses and grounds. A camper notes, "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! The hiking trails were right out of our campsite. Clean sites. Great tent pads."
Seasonal wildlife viewing: "Animals! Turtles, deer that like to be petted, frogs croaking at night, owls talking, beavers splashing in the lake and turkeys eating snakes!" shares a visitor at Greenleaf State Park. The area serves as a flyway for migratory birds including bald eagles.
What you should know
Road access challenges: Some glamping sites near Spiro require navigation on rough roads. "The drive up to this campsite was a slight challenge. I would recommend an SUV or other tall vehicle with 4 wheel drive. The twisty, steep, narrow dirt road makes for quite an adventure. It has many large rocks in the road and the decently sized potholes," warns a camper at White Rock Mountain.
Seasonal limitations: "Mini golf course, ice cream shop and train ride - but they said it's only open from Memorial Day to Labor Day and they haven't gotten word if it will open for 2021," notes a visitor to Queen Wilhelmina State Park. Always check seasonal schedules when planning activities.
Varied shower conditions: "Showers need cleaning and water pressure is very poor," mentions a camper at Robbers Cave State Park. Other campgrounds like Lake Fort Smith receive praise for "cleanest bathhouses," showing facility quality varies significantly between locations.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pad options: "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 a Greenleaf State Park visitor. This provides cooling relief during hot summer months when temperatures regularly exceed 90°F.
Kid-friendly amenities: "We came to get away from our house for a few nights during the Corona virus outbreak. A lot of things were shut down and it was too early in the season to swim. Despite all that we had an amazing time," notes a family at Robbers Cave State Park. The park offers various activities including miniature golf and interpretive programs.
Safety considerations: "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." This highlights the importance of researching trail difficulty when planning glamping trips near Spiro with children who have mobility needs.
Tips from RVers
Site spacing: "The RV FHU sites in the Deer Run campground are on top of one another. We had a neighbor's picnic table maybe a foot or two at best from the slide out side window who proceeded to burn trash in their firepit the entire weekend," warns an RV camper at Greenleaf State Park.
Level sites: A Lake Fort Smith visitor reports, "It was totally level we didn't need any leveling done at all," highlighting the well-maintained RV pads. Many glamping sites near Spiro feature paved or concrete pads that require minimal setup adjustment.
Accessibility concerns: "This campground is nice but not really wheelchair friendly. The road was really large rock that is very bumpy and uncomfortable to wheel over," notes a visitor at Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA. Accessibility varies significantly between glamping locations near Spiro.
