Best Campgrounds near Tahlequah, OK

We were in Bentonville, Arkansas and decided to take a gamble on this and it was about 40 minute drive when we got there. There was plenty of space for the dog to roam without getting into high grass where ticks would be festering and it was a sweet little private getaway for a night before driving on. We highly recommend. Starlink didn't work but Verizon did for phone calls only.

This site doesn’t have a lot of overwhelming features like playgrounds or things like that but it is beautiful and you can hear the water moving constantly. It’s just off the highway so there is some road noise, but with that being said, it allows you to basically pull off the road and pull right on. There’s no formal check in sight so if you book here you do have to book online. there is a camp host staying here but that be prepared to bring your own firewood if you want to fire if you need anything, you will have to go outside of the campsite to get it

Campground is currently (April 7) closed for maintenance and flooding. Call before you go!

This was a great spot for two families and lots of kids! The boys had so much fun climbing the giant rocks. We were lucky to have the place to ourselves in November, sites were a little close together if it had been busier. Bathrooms were easy to get to but a little dirty.

Elephant rock has beautiful breathtaking views. Especially sunsets and rises. Great hiking area. Awesome senary. Photogenic area, to say the least! If 6 in the area definitely stop by and see it! There's really a rock that looks like an elephant, too! Kid friendly area. Right up highway ten in tahlequah.

This is a great area by the river. It is a bird watcher’s paradise, and we saw a lot of people fishing. There is a boat access area as well. We did camp there in a tent for one night, but were politely told by a game warden the next day that, though it used to be open for that, it is no longer allowed. It is open to the public only during the day. There are still signs up showing tent camping, but they are apparently inaccurate. We had a great time and he welcomed us to stick around and hang out for the day, but no more camping. I was able to see multiple species of Oklahoma’s woodpeckers, some birds of prey, and many songbirds. Go during the day! Still worth it, even if you camp elsewhere.

I was surprised the RV spots weren’t in a gated area as was my experience with other Loves RV spots. It was a little noisy being right off the interstate. Ran my generator at night no issue. Slept well and unbothered. Use of the communal dump is included. Shower inside Loves discounted from $18 to $10 but you’ll need to book inside with the cashier to use the discount as opposed to checking in for the shower on your phone.

Small and only 5 spots, we were the only spot taken all night. Somewhat pricey for what they offer but it’s easy to access.

I live east of the dam and ofter go there to walk. It is a nice park but small. It is well maintained and clean. I think the information needs to be updated. All the flood damage is fixed. All in all it's a nice park. Not sure about bathrooms and showers but the outside is very clean. The river is dangerous but pretty to look at. I understand there is great fishing there. You can go swimming on the southwest side of the dam and up a little ways. There is a bar/restaurant across the river but I've never been inside.

I usually like a more secluded area to camp but when I’m camping alone I love devils den, it’s super safe, gorgeous, plenty of room, great hiking trails!

Landed here during Memorial Day last spring and it wasn't the best experience.  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.  So the smell and being stacked on top of one another were huge dampers to the weekend.  Seems like a nice location and perhaps the other campgrounds aren't so packed together.

Devil's Den is a gorgeous parked tucked in the mountains of Arkansas.  The primary campground for RVs is one of the better campgrounds I have seen.  The facilities and amenities have been great.  The sites are generally spacious.  If you want the best experience - grab one of the sites along the ridge (83, 85, 87) - these have a great view off the back and offer incredible space.  There are several hiking trails within the park and other activities during warmer months (i.e. pool).  If you have a large rig - make sure to take the West Fork exit off I-49 vs. the south exit (Winslow).  There's no cell service whatsoever but Wifi (paid) is offered by the park.  Make sure to stock up on supplies beforehand - there are not many options within that area as far as food and services.

We stayed in the north end of the Choctaw Campground, nearest the converted cabin and heated showerhouse. All facilities (water, toilets, info) were open and working. On arrival we booked a spot and had no issues with internet to do so. Rangers came through daily, but no sign of camp host over the Thanksgiving weekend. We were the only tent visitors until our last night when two additional campers arrived. The trails were great aside from some glass that appeared to wash in a long the lower nature trail, which was a concern for our dog so we went to take the fitness trail back. The sunset view from south of the lodge was worth the wait. Nature Center staff were more helpful than the info center, on top of a super educational and fun tour they held even in the chilly wind. Cons - There seemed to be less parking than spots, waterside spots definitely had signs of being washed out this season around the picnic tables, and overall it was hard to spot some numbers on spots. Spots were mostly crowded, would not come to this site in a peak season.

Yes people need to PICK UP THEIR TRASH!   WE WERE TAUGHT THAT IN KINDERGARTEN?  

Otherwise it's beautiful. I don't stay at the waterfall. That's for kids. I go upstream it's deeper, I'm scouting it for future diving trips. 

I'll update as soon as I get in the water with my gear. But I'll def need a 7mm probly with a  Shorty on top since I don't have a dry suit. But this water is CLEAR. amd that's what's impressive. Find clear water in oklahoma isnt easy especially if your a diver. 

The trash thing is real, that's why I always take extra trash bags and do good. 

Maybe if your going, you can too;)

I sort of threw darts at a board to where I would be camping next, and Applegate Cove was my destination this time. The campground is fairly small, but each lot is well maintained. The ground was a bit hard to drive tent stakes into, but I'm attributing that to the weather and season until I visit again and disprove that. There's a small walking loop down to the Arkansas river which left me a gorgeous view of the sunset, unfortunately I also visited during a fishing competition which brought quite a few people, making it a bit of a noisy area during the day as they were using the campground boat slip and dock to cast off from. You can also hear river barges during all hours, though personally I slept through all of the supposed noise. My only real complaint was that one of the bathrooms was in considerably worse condition than the other and you could smell it up to twenty feet away, which after learning I took the extra minute to walk to the nicer one. The shower was good and hot, no complaints there. All in all, I'm pretty happy with how my stay went, and there's very little I disliked about the campgrounds.

Very nice camping ground. A little old. Spaces were roomy. Tent spaces under trees, a little unkept. Paid $40 for an RV spot which worked out well. Toilets and showers ok, not so clean.

Absolutely beautiful from the Senic Overlook!! The trails are easy to traverse, and the nature here is breathtaking!!