Talihina is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Talihina is an adventure-filled destination for those who love the outdoorsy camper lifestyle. But it's also great for those who prefer to spend time near the city, exploring and sightseeing. Find the best campgrounds near Talihina, OK. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.
Situated in the hills and forests of southeast Oklahoma’s San Bois Mountains, Robbers Cave State Park has a history almost as exciting as the scenery and activities it offers. The park earned notoriety in the early part of the 20th century as a hideout for outlaws including Jesse James and Belle Starr. While the park recognizes this fame, today the park’s draw is as a family-friendly destination offering luxurious Robbers Cave cabins and campsites. Campers can stay at 22 modern RV sites with full hookups, 67 sites with water and electric hookups, and 86 primitive camping along secluded trails. For those looking for a more cozy stay, the 26 Robbers Cave cabins offer stunning park views, as well as a full kitchen, a fireplace, television and a full bathroom (these make for a reliable stay at the park depending on the weather in Wilburton, OK). Once you’ve settled into your stay, you’ll find countless activities in the park, enough to make you come back to do it all. There’s miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails, swimming, fishing and paddling at the park’s three reservoirs and numerous creeks, rock climbing/rappelling, and guided tours through the historic sites that once hid outlaws from law enforcement.
$32 / night
Cedar Lake is located in southeast Oklahoma, in the pine and hardwood-forested mountains of the Ouachita National Forest. The campground is situated on the shores of the scenic lake, a popular destination for boating, fishing, horseback riding and hiking.
The campground is a popular starting point for the Winding Stair Mountain Equestrian Trails, a system of over 70 miles of marked horseback riding trails. Hiking, swimming, boating and fishing on Cedar Lake are popular activities. A swimming area, boat ramp and fishing piers are available within the recreation area. A hiking trail traverses around the the perimeter of Cedar Lake offering varied views of the lake and its tributaries. The Talimena Scenic Byway is located within 10 miles of the campground, offering mountain top views of the valleys around Cedar Lake and historic sites along the way. The Talihina State Park, the western terminus of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), is located 21 miles from the Cedar Lake Campground. The OT extends across the Forest for 192 miles, the longest continuous trail system on the Forest. Kelly Branch Rifle Range is located 10 miles from the recreation area. Cedar Lake Campground offers a wide variety of camping opportunities, from campsites with electric and water at the campsites, basic campsites with no electric or water at the campsites and tent sites. Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp is one of the largest equestrian campgrounds in the Southern Region with amenities such as electrical/water connections and corrals at the campsites.
Cedar Lake covers 86 acres and is situated at an elevation of 900 feet. Fall foliage season usually occurs from the last two weeks in October to the first two weeks in November. The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The forest encompasses 700 miles of trails, 43 vistas, six wilderness areas and the highest elevations between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Rockies.
Talimena National Scenic Byway is located 10 miles from the campground. Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), western terminus trailhead is located at the Talihina State Park, 21 miles from the campground. Heavener, Oklahoma, Heavener Runestone Park is located 14 miles from the campground.
Refunds may be requested for the following: Death Medical emergency Storm event Mechanical
$25 / night
Winding Stair Campground sits along the Talimena Scenic Byway. The mountain-top campground offers scenic views from Emerald Vista located adjacent to the campground. During the Spring and Fall seasons, cool mountain temperatures enhance the camping experience. The campground is open year-round and serves as a trailhead for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. All RV/Tent campsites in the campground have paved surfaces and gravel tent pads for setting tents up at the site. The Backpackers Camp, located adjacent to the campground offer designated tent pads for tent placement. This location is available on a first-come, first served basis only. Visitors are required to physiclaly arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) with cash, check, money order, or by scanning a QR code using the Recreaion.gov mobile app. Please download the Recreation.gov app prior to arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cell service.
The Winding Stair Campground is the only campground in Oklahoma along with Talimena Scenic Byway that provides developed campsites. Located along the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), the campground serves as a trailhead for the OT.
The Winding Stair Campground is the only campground in Oklahoma along with Talimena Scenic Byway that provides developed campsites. Located along the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), the campground serves as a trailhead for the OT.
Mountain top and valley views can be seen from Emerald Vista located adjacent to the campground. All campsites in the campground are well shaded.
Ouachita National Recreation Trail: https://friendsoftheouachita.org/wp/ Cedar Lake Recreation Area, Campground and Equestrian Camp Talimena Scenic Byway
For facility specific information, please call (918) 653-2991.
Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications.
$14 / night
$10 - $23 / night
This recreation area is part of Wister Lake
The camping area lies along a small stream, which provides a great spot to fish for sunfish in the small pools. Billy Creek Trail starts here and climbs to the top of Winding Stair Mountain. The trail intersects the Ouachita National Recreation Trail, which travels east from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas for 225 miles. Printer-friendly guides to Billy Creek Recreation Area and Billy Creek Trail.
Heavener Runestone Park is a 55-acre park located in Le Flore County, Oklahoma. It is located near the city of Heavener, Oklahoma. Formerly a state park of Oklahoma, it was transferred to the City of Heavener in 2011, and is now operated by the Friends of Heavener Runestone, a non-profit organization. The park features a little over 2 miles of hiking trails, seasonal waterfall, playground, gift shop, over a dozen camp sites and spectacular views. There are clean facilities on site including free hot showers for all campers. Located just on the edge of town for the quick trip for things forgotten but still gives the forest camping vibe.
$15 - $20 / night
$23 / night
Situated in the hills and forests of southeast Oklahoma’s San Bois Mountains, Robbers Cave State Park has a history almost as exciting as the scenery and activities it offers. The park earned notoriety in the early part of the 20th century as a hideout for outlaws including Jesse James and Belle Starr. While the park recognizes this fame, today the park’s draw is as a family-friendly destination offering luxurious Robbers Cave cabins and campsites. Campers can stay at 22 modern RV sites with full hookups, 67 sites with water and electric hookups, and 86 primitive camping along secluded trails. For those looking for a more cozy stay, the 26 Robbers Cave cabins offer stunning park views, as well as a full kitchen, a fireplace, television and a full bathroom (these make for a reliable stay at the park depending on the weather in Wilburton, OK). Once you’ve settled into your stay, you’ll find countless activities in the park, enough to make you come back to do it all. There’s miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails, swimming, fishing and paddling at the park’s three reservoirs and numerous creeks, rock climbing/rappelling, and guided tours through the historic sites that once hid outlaws from law enforcement.
$32 / night
Cedar Lake is located in southeast Oklahoma, in the pine and hardwood-forested mountains of the Ouachita National Forest. The campground is situated on the shores of the scenic lake, a popular destination for boating, fishing, horseback riding and hiking.
The campground is a popular starting point for the Winding Stair Mountain Equestrian Trails, a system of over 70 miles of marked horseback riding trails. Hiking, swimming, boating and fishing on Cedar Lake are popular activities. A swimming area, boat ramp and fishing piers are available within the recreation area. A hiking trail traverses around the the perimeter of Cedar Lake offering varied views of the lake and its tributaries. The Talimena Scenic Byway is located within 10 miles of the campground, offering mountain top views of the valleys around Cedar Lake and historic sites along the way. The Talihina State Park, the western terminus of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), is located 21 miles from the Cedar Lake Campground. The OT extends across the Forest for 192 miles, the longest continuous trail system on the Forest. Kelly Branch Rifle Range is located 10 miles from the recreation area. Cedar Lake Campground offers a wide variety of camping opportunities, from campsites with electric and water at the campsites, basic campsites with no electric or water at the campsites and tent sites. Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp is one of the largest equestrian campgrounds in the Southern Region with amenities such as electrical/water connections and corrals at the campsites.
Cedar Lake covers 86 acres and is situated at an elevation of 900 feet. Fall foliage season usually occurs from the last two weeks in October to the first two weeks in November. The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The forest encompasses 700 miles of trails, 43 vistas, six wilderness areas and the highest elevations between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Rockies.
Talimena National Scenic Byway is located 10 miles from the campground. Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), western terminus trailhead is located at the Talihina State Park, 21 miles from the campground. Heavener, Oklahoma, Heavener Runestone Park is located 14 miles from the campground.
Refunds may be requested for the following: Death Medical emergency Storm event Mechanical
$25 / night
Winding Stair Campground sits along the Talimena Scenic Byway. The mountain-top campground offers scenic views from Emerald Vista located adjacent to the campground. During the Spring and Fall seasons, cool mountain temperatures enhance the camping experience. The campground is open year-round and serves as a trailhead for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. All RV/Tent campsites in the campground have paved surfaces and gravel tent pads for setting tents up at the site. The Backpackers Camp, located adjacent to the campground offer designated tent pads for tent placement. This location is available on a first-come, first served basis only. Visitors are required to physiclaly arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) with cash, check, money order, or by scanning a QR code using the Recreaion.gov mobile app. Please download the Recreation.gov app prior to arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cell service.
The Winding Stair Campground is the only campground in Oklahoma along with Talimena Scenic Byway that provides developed campsites. Located along the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), the campground serves as a trailhead for the OT.
The Winding Stair Campground is the only campground in Oklahoma along with Talimena Scenic Byway that provides developed campsites. Located along the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), the campground serves as a trailhead for the OT.
Mountain top and valley views can be seen from Emerald Vista located adjacent to the campground. All campsites in the campground are well shaded.
Ouachita National Recreation Trail: https://friendsoftheouachita.org/wp/ Cedar Lake Recreation Area, Campground and Equestrian Camp Talimena Scenic Byway
For facility specific information, please call (918) 653-2991.
Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications.
$14 / night
$10 - $23 / night
Traveler
Quail circle is a nice spot with lots of trees and nice areas to hike and explore. The lake is beautiful. The facilities are a little dated, but generally clean. The showers have plenty of hot water. The RV spots have 30 amp hookups and water. No sewer.
Scout
After driving 4 hours to one of our favorite campsites in this area we arrived to find it closed until May 2025. No explanation why. We have camped here in winter several times before. Disappointing!
Traveler
Stayed here in early November the creek was dry but beautiful. We pulled of the highway and wend down deadman’s trail about halfway and pulled into a very secluded camping spot with a good amount of space with an established fire pit.
ScoutMy buddy and I read the other reviews and decided to give this site a go. Someone was camping at the main site just off the park road, and honestly, I’m glad they were there, otherwise we wouldn’t have found the great alternative spot. As the gentleman in the other review said, there ARE three alternative spots back North a little ways on the park road. As you pull off the little turn off just before (or after, depending on which way your going) the bridge of the creek, you’ll find the first spot. It’s nice with an established campfire ring, etc. further down (you definitely want a higher riding vehicle, no sedans down this road) about 40 yards maybe is the second site. This is a great little site as well, again with an established fire ring. Go another 40 ish yards and there is the end of the side ‘road’/stone path and you’ll find the site we stayed at.
There is a great fire pit and a well established site. As was mentioned in the other review, there was some trash about, but we cleaned it up. If you go here, practice leave no trace. Don’t be a jerk. Even if you never meet another person who camps there, if everyone treats the site like garbage it will be no good for anyone in a short amount of time.
We noticed that there wasn’t much wildlife about and guessed it was because the creek bed was bone dry and a bunch of smoke in the are might have made them leave (there were a few wildfires in SE Oklahoma when we visited). We’ll probably find another place next time for the sake of adventure, but I could see myself coming back someday.
Scout
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.
Guide
We found this on a whim but were pleasantly surprised. Great little campground. Picnic tables and fire rings are dated at best but functional. The view was phenomenal!
Legend
Really enjoyed the Acorn campground - south end of park. There are many to choose from in this large state park, but I would return here. Site was level with the usual amenities all in working order and not too close to neighbors. The river ran directly behind the site and I was entertained by an otter family and ducks daily. There is a water release siren that sounds occasionally and it is loud, but it doesn't happen frequently, or at night, at least not during my stay.
Enjoyed the hiking in this park. Lots of great cleared trails. Often times I was the only hiker. A real gem is the COE access road that runs along the river past the spillway. If you walk far enough down you can view the real "wild" river with the islands of cypress trees and boulders creating eddies and the relaxing sounds of the river spilling over and around. 10 out of 10 stars
No Verizon service except at the nature center (definitely worth a visit especially if you have kiddos, and the ranger here is fantastic!!). You can jump on their wifi, or if I walked to the pavilion behind the store I could get one bar on my phone. Note off season store hours in photo. Not much in the store. The BBQ at the Lookout restaurant is the draw.
Traveler
This spot I found already had a man built fire ring made from rocks. Small peaceful pond and is right off the Deadman South Trail.
GuideOlder Park. Renovations are being done... Pads, 10 ft picnic tables, playground... Right off the lake with awesome scenery. Couple who manages the place is really nice and helpful. Would stop here again.
Guide
We stayed at AD10. It was a back in spot with an extremely high break over angle. The spot itself was fairly level but getting in and out is a pain. I recommend AD12 which is almost a direct back in from the road. The campground itself is very nice, but it is very winding with all the trees and spots slotted together. If you get a spot in the front near the road, there is a lot of through traffic for people going to or leaving the lakeside. The back of the campground was much quieter near the pull through sites. The dump site was directly across the street from the campground but you have to go down the road and either make a tight left turn or go further down and turn around. Bathrooms were not too far away, they were private, clean and AC. Not a lot of street lights throughout the campground made things nice and quiet at night. The site had okay Verizon cell service, around 10-20 mbps. The T-mobile service was much better around 50-60 mbps. Lots of activities to do around the park, there is the lake, plenty of hiking trails. The parking pass situation can get a little confusing at other areas of the park, but basically if you register your vehicle plate when you make the reservation, you are all set for your stay. It's a quick drive to Hochatown where there are things to do but depending on when you go it can be extremely busy. Broken Bow itself was about a 30 minute drive depending on traffic and there were more things to do, eat, and see. The traffic going back and forth between Hochatown and Broken Bow is quite busy and almost makes you not want to go anywhere. It causes a pain point when trying to get from the Stephens Gap area of the park to the main area of Beavers Bend, where you have to leave, hit 3 lights, wait 30 minutes, just to go 5 miles.Overall it’s a good campground but I might recommend staying at the other area of the park just for convenience sake, getting in and getting out.
Traveler
Spacious and paved pads with nature all around. Bathrooms were clean and showers excellent. This place is a real cost performer for outdoor activities!
Traveler
Clean facilities. Lots of activities for the kids such as pool, lake inflatables, putt-putt, indoor guided crafts, sand sifting, fire pits, and playground. You are able to cross over to the sister park and enjoy their amenities. We did not utilize their lake or marina areas. Kids don’t want to go anywhere else after spending the weekend here.
TravelerRight off of Forest road51220, large area to park and camp all by yourself. stream is 40 feet away with a swimming hole. Very private
Guide
Into motorcycles or not you will be treated like family here. Many different types of spots to chose from. They will do everything humanly possible to make your stay wonderful.
ScoutTo stay here you need to budget in potable water. Rusty and nasty smelling water, also might want to bring an extra filter for trailer cause will clog it up. Power surge issues old breakers, and shuts off your trailer often.
ScoutWith so many trails that you can access just by walking out of the camp site. This is my favorite spot to camp in Oklahoma
Scout
We drove slowly back and forth along the road exactly where the coordinates lead us to but there is no vehicle access to the forest there. It’s completely overgrown
TravelerThe river and creek merging was so beautiful! It was a beautiful drive there. But whoever was there before me trashed it out. It’s sad.
ScoutSaid free on the app, in which u paid for. I show up to the FREE campground and boom they want me to pay 25. When it comes up as free which is false advertising. Which is illegal.
Traveler
Site 51 was the best view. Long but narrow paved spot. We couldn't back all the way up because the tree was too low, but the spot was long enough where it wasn't an issue. The water spicket was about 80 ft away, and unfortunately we didn't have an adapter for the 30 amp. Otherwise this was a great stay with a beautiful sunset over the water. Be mindful of a couple trees overhanging the way in, but we were able to get through without issue hitting any. We have a 13.5 ft tall and 45 ft long fifth wheel. Mosquitoes were pretty bad so be prepared.
Legend
Beautiful and lush and QUIET. I love it. Asphalt and gravel sites. Clean bathrooms. Water and electric only. Gorgeous 3 mile hike around the lake. I hear it’s a fishing lake but we don’t fish. Enjoyed the scenery and peace. Would come again and again. Don’t forget the ice, there’s nothing close. Site 33 looks to be my fav.
GuideI did not stay at this campground (I was driving the scenic byway), but I stopped for "scouting purposes". It seems very nice, the vault toilet was locked? But otherwise, a well kept dry campground with many sites and good views. Also, the pricing on here is incorrect; USFS website says $8/night for singles, $14/night for doubles (can't beat those prices honestly). Will stay if I pass this way again!
GuideWe only stayed one night enroute home to NW Arkansas. We had stayed at one of the sites on the river side of the park, but this was our first on the lake side.
We had a pull-though site with full hookups. As we were only one of three campers, the campground was very quiet. The pull-through sites are fairly close together and I wonder how noisy they would be during peak season.
The facilities were nice, but no hot water in the showers...brisk!!
Lots of deer (friendly...I would guess the guests feed them). We would stay here again as a short term solution...probably not a long-term option for us.
Scout
Could not find. find. The grid cordinates lead to someones private cabin. Tucked in middles of residential cabin colmunity. It is national forest borders but private lots.
Guide
This park is awesome for multiple reasons. The lodge is fantastic, great food and great views with a friendly welcoming staff. The views (worthy of mention again) are top notch, with some incredible sunsets. The mini train and mini golf were closed for the season but it looked like a great time. The bath house was clean, warm (it was cold AF outside), and had great water pressure. The town of Mena was a short scenic drive away, with a brewery and a couple restaurants worth checking out.
Now, the reason for the downgrade to 4 stars. The campsite layout is…weird. It’s like most of the sites were designed for a motorcoach to drive into, not for a travel trailer to back into. For example most of the camp amenities are on the utility side of the trailer when backed in, as opposed to the party side. Some of the sites are reeeeeally close together, as others have mentioned. I might even go so far as to say that if we would have kept our original site it might have garnered a 3 star review. The back rows have the amenities on the rear of the rv, which I actually kinda liked. Yes there is no sewer…but it’s a state park that’s expected.
Guide
Pioneer Campgrounds has hosted 8 family reunions and 7 Boy Scout / Girl Scout Troops in 2023. Great place to camp. Clean cabins, brand new bathrooms, large dining hall and kitchen area.
Legend
This was our second stop at the KOA in Fort Smith AR. They have many improvements since out last stay. The campground is convenient to I-40. It’s far enough away to not have traffic noise. The sites are level, there is a pool, Propane, fishing pond, and camp store. Also hiking trails. Also some tent sites. There is a whole new section for Class A and large 5th wheel campers now. The are located behind a highway department facility, and last visit the smell of the treated power line poles was overwhelming. No problem this time. This is one of the few campgrounds I’ve been to that have a storm shelter!
Camping near Talihina, Oklahoma, offers a mix of beautiful scenery and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Talihina, Oklahoma, offers a variety of experiences, from serene nature walks to family-friendly activities. Just be sure to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Talihina, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, Talihina, OK offers a wide range of camping options, with 107 campgrounds and RV parks near Talihina, OK and 8 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Talihina, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Talihina, OK is Robbers Cave State Park — Robbers Cave State Resort Park with a 4.2-star rating from 60 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Talihina, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 8 free dispersed camping spots near Talihina, OK.
What parks are near Talihina, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 31 parks near Talihina, OK that allow camping, notably Sardis Lake and Pine Creek Lake.
