Robbers Cave State Park provides year-round equestrian camping near Stidham, Oklahoma. Located in the Sans Bois Mountains with elevations reaching 1,500 feet, the region features pine forests atypical of many Oklahoma landscapes. Weather varies from hot summers averaging 94°F to mild winters with occasional snowfall, creating different camping experiences throughout the seasons.
What to do
Trout fishing spots: At Robbers Cave State Park, winter visitors can fish for trout. "Trout fishing just steps away from camp and we had the whole campground to ourselves for the night," notes Neil T., who visited in early March.
Cave exploration: Hike to the historic caves that housed outlaws. "The hike was worth every hair raising nervous parent moment," explains Kyle H., who tackled the trail with his son. "The hiking trail to the cave is steep and rocky with big drop-offs, so be careful with small children."
Lake activities: Wewoka Lake offers water recreation options for horseback riders needing a break. "It has a swim beach and a few pavilions. The 4th of July festival is popular there and always a big hit," states Melanie W. about this nearby option.
What campers like
Quiet off-season visits: Winter and early spring camping offers solitude. "Our first visit was in November and the fall color was stunning. Early March for this visit and definitely winter scapes...but still beautiful," reports Neil T. about his experiences at Robbers Cave State Park.
Lake swimming options: Sportsmans Lake provides swimming areas for cooling off. "It has a nice swimming area and even on the hottest days the water feels good because it is a spring fed lake," notes Melanie W.
Wildlife viewing: Morning and evening hours bring opportunities to spot local animals. "Sunrise is beautiful and so are the stars. There are many geese on this lake, they have their own island where they hatch their babies every year. Lots of raccoons and a couple foxes," observes Melanie W. about Sportsmans Lake's natural features.
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facilities require maintenance in some horseback riding areas. "Showers need cleaning and water pressure is very poor," reports Susan C. who rated Robbers Cave State Park's facilities.
Gate closure times: Chicken Creek Campground enforces strict access hours. "Gates going in locked at 10:00 p.m. and open at 6:00 a.m.," notes Mark J., important information for those planning late arrivals.
Seasonal variations: Water levels fluctuate throughout the year affecting boat launches. "Because of the low water you can walk very far into the water from where we were staying," explains Elizabeth B. about her Taylor Ferry camping experience during dam reconstruction.
Tips for camping with families
Trail difficulty assessments: Choose appropriate paths for children. "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," shares Matt B. about his Robbers Cave experience.
Swimming options: Taylor Ferry Campground provides family-friendly water access. "The campsite itself wasn't the best but the whole experience was amazing. The weather was beautiful, water was warm," writes Shawn L.
Playground locations: Some areas have facilities for children near camping sites. "We had a group and camped around pavilion 2. Playground was nearby as were bathrooms," notes Jacquelyn L. about Sportsmans Lake camping.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for privacy: Little Turtle RV & Storage offers RV sites with varying levels of privacy. "The camp itself was clean and the hooks ups were pretty easy," reports Ronnie D., though he noted recreational facilities needed maintenance.
Power options: Different campgrounds offer varied electrical services. "Only seven 50 amp spots and no sewer sites but the campground is great," advises Mark J. about Chicken Creek Campground, critical information for large RVs with higher power requirements.
Dump station availability: Know where to empty tanks. "No sewer at the site but did have dump stations," reports Ashley T. about her Chicken Creek camping experience, important for longer stays where tank capacity becomes an issue.
