The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Dog-Friendly Camping near Talihina, OK

89 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

Search destinations
    Add dates

    Pet-friendly camping near Talihina ranges from developed sites with electric hookups and showers to free primitive campsites in Ouachita National Forest where pets are welcome with no reservation required. Talimena State Park Campground offers tent and RV sites with electric hookups, drinking water, and clean showers and bathrooms. All sites include picnic tables and fire pits with pets allowed throughout the campground. The park connects directly to miles of hiking trails, including the Ouachita Trail that runs over 200 miles east into Arkansas. RV sites face the highway with some road noise during peak travel times, while tent sites provide more seclusion with site #1 noted for its privacy at the trailhead.

    Deadman Gap Dispersed Campsite and Deadman South Trail Dispersed Campsite provide free primitive camping with established fire rings in Ouachita National Forest. These undeveloped sites allow pets with no reservation requirements, offering a true off-grid experience with no facilities, drinking water, or cell service. A small creek runs near the Deadman Gap site, providing a water source that requires filtering. Multiple cleared areas can accommodate several vehicles at Deadman South Trail site, with enough level ground for tents. Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp features developed sites with electric hookups, water access, and designated pet areas. The entire area contains numerous forest service roads and trails suitable for hiking with dogs, though owners should be prepared for encounters with wildlife including black bears in the national forest.

    Hot Springs National Park Camping Guide - The Complete Guide

    Get the guide now

    View Guide

    Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Talihina (89)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Talimena State Park Campground

      4.2(13)6mi from TalihinaRVs, Tents

      "There was at least one other trail leading away from camp. Camp store is closed during the week - at least during the time of year of our visit.

      The town of Talihina is about 6 miles from camp."

      "This State Park is located in SE Oklahoma and is a hidden gem. The park has a number of RV sites and tent sites."

      Check Availability

      2. Robbers Cave State Park — Robbers Cave State Resort Park

      4.2(62)24mi from TalihinaRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "Our first Oklahoma camping trip lead us to Robbers Cave State Park in the southeastern portion of Oklahoma. It is located on more than 8,000 acres in the San Bois Mountains. "

      "Stayed in the Equestrian campground with access to miles and miles of trails. It was wonderful and some of the best hiking I have done in quite a while. The hikes along the lake edges were great."

      from $32 / night

      Check Availability

      3. Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

      4.3(9)9mi from Talihina

      "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."

      "First time in the Ouachita national forest and we found a most excellent spot next to Lillard Creek off of 6010 Deadmans trail Rd. Would recommend a 4wd vehicle."

      4. Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite

      5.0(3)8mi from TalihinaRVs, Tents

      "Small peaceful pond and is right off the Deadman South Trail."

      5. Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)

      4.9(13)20mi from Talihina117 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We completed this campout with another family and this is our favorite campout in Oklahoma. The large pines, the facilities and the hiking is wonderful. Cedar lake is beautiful."

      "The lake nearby is great. We brought our kayaks and had so much fun hitting the lake in the morning. It does get busy as the day goes on, especially in the summer on the weekends."

      from $15 - $40 / night

      Check Availability

      6. Potato Hill Vista - Dispersed Camping

      4.5(2)7mi from Talihina

      "If you're near the end (heading west) or got a late start heading east, detour north towards Potato Hill Vista for a flat area with a stone fire ring near Highway 88/1."

      "Take the teail, walk one minute and you are on."

      7. Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest

      4.6(13)21mi from Talihina25 sitesRVs, Tents

      "Driving from Mena to Talihina along this stretch of highway is a treat when it comes to the spectacular views.  "

      "If you plopped me into this camp I wouldn’t have guessed I was in Oklahoma."

      from $3 - $14 / night

      8. Billy Creek

      4.3(7)18mi from TalihinaRVs, Tents

      "This was such a cool place and a perfect distance away from everything. There were plenty of options for camping spots but also plenty of people there that you don’t feel completely alone."

      "There was a easy and short little trail down to the river and lots of large rocks to hang out on.  The campsite has tons of big trees.  Each site has a fire ring, picnic table and grill. "

      Check Availability

      9. Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

      4.8(6)20mi from TalihinaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This was mine and my mom's favorite place to camp in Oklahoma. The campground is heavily forested with pine trees and there are some sites right off the lake."

      "It’s wonderful in the fall when the leaves are changing, the days are cooler, and the nights are perfect for gathering around a camp fire."

      from $10 - $23 / night

      Check Availability

      10. Clayton Lake State Park Campground

      4.6(5)21mi from TalihinaRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "If you check dark-skies maps, you'll see that Clayton Lake is right on the edge of the section of SE Oklahoma with the least light-pollution."

      "We got here in the dark and it was hard to find a a spot but when we woke up the next morning we had a great view of the lake."

      from $14 - $150 / night

      Check Availability
    View all 89 campgrounds

    2026 Explorer Giveaway

    Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

    Enter to Win

    Talihina Contest

    Enter to Win

    Drive Time

    Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Talihina, OK

    42 Photos of 89 Talihina Campgrounds

    Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Talihina, OK

    356 Reviews of 89 Talihina Campgrounds

    • Kelly Z.
      Jun. 23, 2016

      Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

      Great campground

      This was mine and my mom's favorite place to camp in Oklahoma. The campground is heavily forested with pine trees and there are some sites right off the lake. It has a very nice bathroom facility with showers. Normally when we would go (in the fall and spring) it was not very crowded. Lots of great hiking trails nearby and the scenic Talimena scenic drive is beautiful, especially in the fall.

    • Joel R.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 30, 2019

      Sallisaw-Fort Smith West KOA

      Convenient to I-40

      This is KOA, not my favorite place to stop, but they have good, basic facilities, sort of like Motel 6. They are just off I-40, so it was convenient for a one night stop. The sites were level, and were Pull-Thru so we didn’t even unhook. Full hookups, Some shade, a dump station. The shower/bathroom was clean. There is a small store. They also have cabins and tent sites; Free Wi-Fi, cable tv, a pool and playground, and a pond for fishing. There is a small Kamp K9 (dog park). When we were there everything was wet, and the smell of wet creosote from the log yard next door was terrible.

    • Jerry W.
      Oct. 27, 2020

      K River Campground

      Loved it

      We learned about this campground through the owners activities with Veterans. We stayed for 7 days and we were able to have totally relaxed days as well as very active days. Right next to the river for kayaking, canoeing or just relaxing. Off-road vehicle trails a petting zoo on site. Check the web site for activities, there may be live music or a large gathering scheduled which may or may not be your thing. The only reason I rated it 4 stars is that it’s a work in progress. New cabins were being added and more trails were being cut while we were there.

    • Neil T.The Dyrt PRO User
      Mar. 4, 2021

      Talimena State Park Campground

      Nice, clean little camp

      The people who take care of this camp do a great job. Everything is tidy and well kept.

      Spaces aren’t too tight together, but not much privacy either - except for us because we were the only ones there!

      The Ouachita Trailhead starts here and two of the primitive camps (1 and 2) are right at the trailhead.

      There was at least one other trail leading away from camp.

      Camp store is closed during the week - at least during the time of year of our visit.

      The town of Talihina is about 6 miles from camp. I didn’t see a grocery store, but it had a couple of well stocked convenience stores. It also has a few cafes. The food at Pam’s Cafe was good. There was also a nice looking coffee shop, but we didn’t try it.

      The Talimena Drive starts very close by, so this would be a good base camp for cruising that scenic drive. I’d love to come back in the fall, but the views are incredible anytime. Pictures don’t do it justice.

      Many sites back up right to the adjacent highway. A little hill and some trees block the view, but the road noise is loud. And several trucks in the middle of the night were heavy on their jake brakes.

      Our site had a nice gazebo over the table. My son enjoyed the playground, though it is really sized for kids 6 and under.

      Absolutely wouldn’t mind camping here again.

    • Kyle H.
      Jul. 24, 2018

      Robbers Cave State Park — Robbers Cave State Resort Park

      Our First Camping Voyage into Oklahoma

      Our first Oklahoma camping trip lead us to Robbers Cave State Park in the southeastern portion of Oklahoma. It is located on more than 8,000 acres in the San Bois Mountains. The parks claim to fame is outlaws such as Belle Starr, the Dalton Gang, and Jesse James used it as a hideout from the law. This was going to be our first full week of vacation spent in the popup, and our first camping trip outside of Missouri. We selected Robbers Cave State Park for two reasons it’s distance was a little over 4 hours away, and the number of amenities it offered for our 4 year old on our extended outing.   

       The first thing this park did was challenge my perceptions on what the Oklahoma landscape is. This is a park is located in an old growth pine forest, located in the rocky terrain of the Sans Bois Mountains. The park is split in half by Hwy 2 with the east side of the park consisting of the RV campgrounds, cabins, and Belle Starr Lodge. The west side of the park includes Lake Carlton, the equestrian camps, swimming pool, miniature golf, and nature center. This layout was negative in the fact that we could not walk between two sides with my son because of the distance and elevation change, you could rent golf carts if you would like. The positive was that it kept traffic down in the campground from the day use visitors of the park. We booked site 23 in the Old Circle Campground, when booking on the Oklahoma state park website there are no photos of the sites, only short descriptions…sometimes. I will let you know there is a youtube video that someone made driving around the old circle campground. I used this to take a look at our site after booking it.  Site 23 was a pull through site with full hookups located only about 5 feet off the main campground road. This could be a problem if the park was busy and there is a lot of traffic. Lucky for us we were camping through the week and this was not an issue. The site then on the opposite side held our own little secluded spot surrounded by pine trees down a slight slope from camper. We had a fire circle, picnic table, grill, and lantern post. We loved this site for this very reason. I will post pictures of both sides of our site below so you can get a visual. The bathroom and shower house is located in the middle of the old circle loop. The structure is very old and very dated stone structure, where you might find frogs sitting on shower curtains, spiders, and lizards (Those are just the ones that I witnessed). There is a newer shower house located outside of the Whispering Pines campground, next to the campground office and store. If you go to the newer one to take a shower make sure you have some quarters, or some dollar bills, because the showers cost money. Four quarters will get you 6 minutes worth of shower time.   

       When we were not at camp we spent most of our time exploring the west side of the park. We spent two afternoons swimming in Lake Carlton. The designated swim area has a very rocky drop-off for an entrance, but once out it was very nice swimming.  There is a concrete pier that is located along the swim ropes that you can climb up and jump off of. Besides swimming you could rent peddle boats, canoes, and paddle boards to go exploring. There was a pool with two water slides and a splash zone, it is $5 dollars to enter for the entire day. My son also got to play miniature for the first time at the course located next to the pool. One word of warning the golf course is very dated with carpet ripped or completely missing in spots. This did not slow us down at all, it just needs a little work.  They also sell shaved ice at the miniature gold building.    

      The Oklahoma Park staff were very knowledgeable, friendly, and willing to answer any of my questions. Also 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, we saw the second largest pine tree in Oklahoma, and drank water from anartesian well. They also had a campfire with stories and smores one night, a cane pole fishing class, and even a tour of Lake Carlton by canoe. Just make sure you have cash because each item does cost money. 

      The last thing we did before leaving Robbers Cave State Park after our three night stay was to go and search for the outlaws in the cave ourselves. I will give you a spoiler alert, the hiking trail to the cave is steep and rocky with big drop-offs, so be careful with small children. It is a ¾ of a mile trail that my son absolutely loved. He was trying to find the robber that was hiding out. The hike was worth every hair raising nervous parent moment.    

      It is a consensus with my family that we will need to return to this park again. It has so much to offer, and we did not even touch on the many miles worth of trails to hike or go for a horseback ride on.  We look forward to our return to continue the exploring and searching for the elusive robbers.

    • Crystal C.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 30, 2021

      Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest

      Views for days!!

      Driving from Mena to Talihina along this stretch of highway is a treat when it comes to the spectacular views.   But stopping at places like this campground even further explain just how much of an amazing place this part of Oklahoma really is!   This area was once logged to the point that it was basically worthless before the Forest Service took it over and started to replenish the land and create public spaces like this campground.    It now is a thriving place for recreation and viewing.

      The campground is a series of pull ins and thru sites which vary in size allowing for tent camping with single cars or even some larger rigs.    There are vault toilets centrally located at the entrance in addition to extra picnic tables for those wanting a little extra space to enjoy.    

      A few spigots are around camp that are not in the best of shape, but they do still work, so don't be fooled.

      The roadways through camp and the sites themselves are very well taken care of, however because of recent rains the grass was a bit more wooly than it typically would have been.   Despite this the sites were still clear of grass for the most part.  

      Each site was equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, lantern hooks, grills and prep stations and large spaces for tents, should you have one.  Additionally you can find trash cans around camp in a few places.

      From the campground you can easily access the scenic point which additionally has more picnic tables with a view, definitely suggest checking it out!!  

      Campground is first come first serve and does have a senior discount with the park pass.   Envelopes are provided at the main kiosk.

    • Vanessa M.The Dyrt PRO User
      May. 24, 2018

      Queen Wilhelmina State Park — Queen Wihelmina State Park

      Small

      The campground is small with limited pads. Each site is close to the next and are generally occupied with RVs or camper trailers. I would suggest that this campground is most appropriate for the camper who prefers a more modern feel. There is ample cell phone service, WiFi is nearby, facilities are clean and modern. It is approximately a 15 minute drive into Mena, AR where you can find significant shopping. The campground is also near a large hotel. There are many hiking and mountain bike trails available in the area. A few miles down the road you can find an old fire tower which is interesting and can be accessed if you are daring. This area is dog friendly, dogs can access the trails as well. There are also some very neat driving trails, the bypass is a popular destination for motorcyclists which can offer some noise during the day. The park is also approximately a mile from the Oklahoma state line. This is a nice area for the avid cyclist, hiker, and motorcyslist.

    • Teresa T.The Dyrt PRO User
      Jan. 7, 2026

      Robbers Cave State Park — Robbers Cave State Resort Park

      I stayed for almost 10 days

      Stayed in the Equestrian campground with access to miles and miles of trails. It was wonderful and some of the best hiking I have done in quite a while. The hikes along the lake edges were great. There are horse trails id have loved to have done but it was time to move on. Of all the campgrounds, and there are many in the park, the Equestrian is the best if you want to hike.

    Guide to Talihina

    Talihina sits along the edge of the Ouachita Mountains with several campgrounds at elevations between 1,000-2,800 feet, creating distinct seasonal conditions. The region contains dense pine forests with numerous creeks and small lakes. Forest service roads provide access to both developed campgrounds and primitive dispersed sites throughout Ouachita National Forest.

    What to do

    Hiking the Ouachita Trail: From Winding Stair Campground, access the 220+ mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail. "The Ouachita Trail is a 220 mile trail that travels from Oklahoma to Arkansas. Near the campground the forest is predominantly made up of pine trees, but as you hike along the trail you'll pass through a variety of hardwoods like oak," notes Troy W.

    Fish for trout: Many creek-side campsites offer immediate access to fishing. "Trout fishing just steps away from camp and we had the whole campground to ourselves for the night," reports Neil T. Forest streams contain native species while stocked areas provide additional opportunities.

    Mountain biking: Forest service roads and designated trails provide routes for all skill levels. The terrain varies from moderate to challenging with rocky sections. "There is a really fun trail that runs right around the entire lake, and it's a little over two miles. Nearly all natural terrain throughout the hike which makes it especially nice," notes Patrick G. about Cedar Lake North Shore.

    What campers like

    Private campsites: Robbers Cave State Park receives praise for its spacious sites. "The campsite spots themselves are pretty big in size and are separated by trees and bushes. Feels very private. They do have a quiet hour which is after 10pm," mentions Ashley W.

    Creek access: Many primitive sites feature water access. "A short distance from the park is the town of Talihena where you can stock up with supplies or grab a bite to eat at one of the local restaurants," shares Troy W. Creeks typically flow strongest in spring with some becoming seasonal by late summer.

    Stargazing opportunities: The area's low light pollution creates excellent night sky viewing. "If you love getting the full effect of beautiful sunrises, sunsets, and stars - this may be the perfect spot for you to watch the skies! If you check dark-skies maps, you'll see that Clayton Lake is right on the edge of the section of SE Oklahoma with the least light-pollution," reports Ava G.

    What you should know

    Wildlife awareness: Bear activity requires proper food storage. "I don't think they have a problem in camp, but be aware that the Ouachita National Forest holds a fair number of Black Bears. Proceed accordingly," cautions ShaneB.

    Seasonal water availability: Creek levels fluctuate significantly. At Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite, visitors note variable conditions: "We stayed here in early November the creek was dry but beautiful," reports Kaleb G.

    Limited cell service: Most forest campgrounds have minimal or no connectivity. "Completely undeveloped other than fire ring. Plenty of flat clear space for tents but we used hammocks, and plenty of trees were available for that," notes Daniel S.

    Firewood restrictions: Outside firewood may be prohibited due to pest concerns. Many sites have established fire rings, but you'll need to bring your own wood or collect it responsibly. "The main has 2 already and the others all seem to have one. PLEASE PRACTICE LNT!!!" urges Charles.

    Tips for camping with families

    ATV-accessible sites: Some campgrounds allow direct trail access for off-road vehicles. "Direct access to miles of hiking trails. Also direct access to approximately 45 miles of ATV trails," reports Mark C. about Talimena State Park.

    Swimming areas: Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground offers family-friendly swimming. "We spent two afternoons swimming in Lake Carlton. The designated swim area has a very rocky drop-off for an entrance, but once out it was very nice swimming," shares Kyle H.

    Ranger programs: Some parks offer educational activities for children. "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," explains Kyle H.

    Playground access: Several campgrounds include play equipment for children. "My son enjoyed the playground, though it is really sized for kids 6 and under," mentions Neil T.

    Tips for RVers

    Access considerations: Forest roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. "The road in/out has some tough spots, 4WD would be preferred," notes Ryin J. about Deadman Gap South Trail Dispersed Campsite. Most dispersed sites require higher clearance vehicles.

    Full hookup availability: For extended stays, seek designated RV campgrounds. "Very well kept campgrounds. Full RV hook ups (30 amp). Also has area for primitive camping," explains Mark C.

    Dump station locations: Not all campgrounds with hookups provide sanitary dumps. Plan accordingly for longer stays, as the nearest dump facilities may be at state parks. "This site was amazing, the first place I had planned for was taken, so this was my next option and it did not disappoint," shares Brett F.

    Site leveling: Many forest campgrounds have uneven terrain. Bring leveling blocks and survey sites before committing. "Spaces aren't too tight together, but not much privacy either - except for us because we were the only ones there!" notes Neil T.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Talihina, OK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Talihina, OK is Talimena State Park Campground with a 4.2-star rating from 13 reviews.

    What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Talihina, OK?

    TheDyrt.com has all 89 dog-friendly camping locations near Talihina, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.

    Keep Exploring