Best Glamping near Tenkiller Ferry Lake

This is a nice modern park on the shore of the man made Lake Fort Smith. To me, the most interesting parts of the park were destroyed in order to make the lake (and thus, the park); the Works Progress Administration (WPA) had several cabins and shelters on the property from building the dam and surrounding areas. However, they were flooded under when the lake filled. The ranger in the visitor’s center said the buildings were not able to be moved. There was a nice exhibit about the building of the park and the role of the WPA in the surrounding area. The campsites are all really RV only with water and electric, although most sites also have a tent pad. There were no other tent campers while I was there. The campground is really clean and well maintained; it seemed that the trash cans were emptied almost hourly by the nice fellow buzzing around in his golf cart. The bath house was super clean, too. There are some nice hiking trails, although none very long. However, this park marks the western end of the Ozark Highlands Trail that stretches across northern-ish Arkansas for 150+ miles. This might be a good starting or ending spot. The boat ramp seemed quiet, but that might have been the weather. If you are into group glamping, there are several lodges that are available that could house a small family to a small army.

This was our first time to visit an Oklahoma State Park! We were blown away by the beauty of this oasis! The waterfall is beautiful. The yurts are really cool! The park was busy with lots of campers and day use hikers as well as families picnicking. Great park!

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Nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks, Natural Falls State Park boasts a unique beauty which is unmatched through other state parks within Oklahoma. Perhaps best known for its beautiful waterfall, there are many other things to do here that make this a great place to visit during camping season. 

I visited during the summer months, it was hot and sticky outside, but slightly overcast making it a perfect day to visit and enjoy the park itself as well as some of the camping options. 

Exploring this park is fun as trails wind around and meander through some of the most beautiful areas of Oklahoma. If you are a person who likes mountains more than plains, this area of Oklahoma is one for you as lush tree coverage and rocky crags abound. 

The campsites themselves are pretty typical of an Oklahoma campground. 44 RV sites, also which can accommodate tent campers who are in need of power and 17 tent sites are available in addition to yurts they have on property. Yurts are pretty common in many Oklahoma State Parks in this region I have found. The sites are pretty standard with fire rings, picnic tables and some lantern hooks, just the basic ground work laid for you to set up your own unique adventures. 

When visiting I noticed that the Yurt section had no visitors during the week day and the campground itself was sparse as well. During the weekends I can imagine this fills up much more as it is a great place to visit. 

Visiting is fun with lots to do including the hiking trails however they also have playgrounds, volleyball and disc golf. The one downside for those visiting during the heat of summer however is, unlike many parks in Oklahoma which offer swimming beaches or pools, this park does not have any swimming resources. This was not a deal breaker for me personally but I would think for many it could be. 

A few things I noted that apply at the park that could be negatives to visitors passing through. They do currently have a reservation system, this can have both pros and cons. The reservation system is pretty easy to navigate but does state that on weekends you must book for the 2 days of the weekend no exceptions. When visiting the park in person I was told you can also get a site on the day of, however there is no guarantee of sites being available. Unlike many parks which hold a certain number for arrivals they are moving toward a fully online booking system like many other states.

First time here we stayed in a Yurt. Our group had 3 of the 5 Yurts and they were very well appreciated as the rain swamped some of the tents in our group.

2nd and 3rd trips here we stayed in our TT. Site #21 was awesome with electric, water and sewer hook ups as well as a lot of space all around our site. Site #18 was very cramped and only had electric and water hook ups. Our neighbor's water and electric hookup was literally closer than our picnic table. We walked around and found other sites with more space for next time.

The area is beautiful. Lots of trails, wildlife and a year round waterfall that is fed by a pump from a pond downstream. There is opportunity to fish in the pond. The waterfall is magnificent and can be viewed from an overlook that is easily accessible. The hike to the bottom and back out is moderately strenuous but there are places to take a break as needed.

Took a detour on our road trip to visit this park. There are tent sites, RV sites, and yurts available. Tent sites don't have electric and approximately half dont have water. Sites are equipped with fire ring, grill, and concrete tables. The park has some fantastic trails, just get someone taller than you walk ahead to clear the spider webs. There are playgrounds, a volleyball net, horseshoe setups, and paved walking paths.

Natural falls has been our weekend getaway spot for a few years now. It's normally pretty quiet, the hiking trails down to the falls are fun and challenging. They have added yurts which are pretty cool.

Tent camping is normally what we do and it's a great setup for that. The camping areas are spacious and flat for good easy tent setup. Water is centrally located in the middle of the campgrounds.

The restroom and shower areas have never been dirty and are always in clean working order. There is disc golf, a park, and playground equipment for your kids.

Definitely worth the visit.

Fairly small state park but they have a lot to do. They have 17 tent sites and about 45 RV sites. There are also nice looking yurts you can tent. Our tent site had a picnic table, lantern hook, charcoal grill and a fire ring. Bathrooms were clean and had flush toilets and a shower.

There are 4.5 miles of great hiking trails at the park. You can find some great hidden spots along the river and enjoy the quiet.

Of course, the best part of the park is the 77 foot tall waterfall. The hike to the bottom is fairly steep but there is a sidewalk that takes you to an overlook at the top.

The park has probably the longest disc golf course I’ve ever seen.

Overall, I highly recommend Natural Falls State Park.

General: Located near the Oklahoma/Arkansas border, this is a surprisingly quiet campground given its proximity to the highway. Once you reserve a site, you receive an e-mail instructing you to register your vehicle for a parking pass, which must be done prior to arrival. (There is a $10 charge for non-campers). You will then receive several updated e-mails and/or text messages. The weird thing is that the parking pass is activated at 9 am on the day you are scheduled to arrive, however, check-in to the campsite is not until 4 pm. The pass expires 24 hours later (9 am), however, check-out from the campground is not until 2 pm. I’m not sure if the parking fee is enforced in the campground or just in the day-use parking lot. 

Sites/Facilities: There is an RV loop and a tent loop. There are also five yurts. Sites 41-45 are VERY long pull-throughs that could easily fit two large RVs plus another vehicle. All other sites are back-in. All sites are paved. 

Bathhouse: Restrooms/showers are located between the tent and RV sites and are easily accessible to both sections. They were clean. I did not use the shower so cannot comment on this other than it looked clean. 

Activities/Amenities: The main attraction here is the short hike to see Dripping Springs. There are also other (paved) walking trails plus a volleyball net, basketball, disc golf, and catch and release fishing. There is a small store which is also where you check-in for camping. The staff was very friendly and helpful.

A gem of a state park in Oklahoma, it is a very popular destination. There is a day use charge of $5, which is included in the campground cost. First, the campground: There is separate tent and RV camping, but I think the RV portion is nicer. The tent area, “Airy Tent Area”, is in a small grassy section of the park, with few sites having enough trees to hang a hammock. If that is your thing, try to get a site on the outside edge that backs up against the woods. While there were picnic tables and grills, there didn’t really seem to be specific sites for tents, and there was no privacy. The playground and shower house are directly next to the tent area, which compounds the lack of privacy. However, you could choose to get a larger RV/Camper site in the woods. If you do that, try and get on the Bluff View loop. It was a pretty quiet campground at night, but I understand that it can be loud on nights that the cars are running on the nearby speedway across the road. There are Yurts available for rent in the back of the park behind the falls if that is your thing (not sure how much they cost a night; might be fun for a night if they aren’t too expensive). The park: a beautiful park for hiking and hanging out. There are a few nice trails for hiking, though none are very long or difficulty. You can hike out and around the falls as well as along the creek at the bottom of the falls. There are some beautiful bridges over the creek/river as well. It’s understandable why this park was the location for the movie “Where The Red Fern Grows”. There is also a pretty little botanical garden and nice lawns for picnicking.

We frequently take 412 from Tulsa to the Arkansas Ozarks and have always wondered what lies behind the gates of Natural Falls State Park. If you have to pay $5 a car it must be magnificent and grand, I thought every time I passed the turn off sign .5 mile from the city street that leads to the entrance. Well, it is a place you can stop at if you are late in the day and need a spot to camp without much fan fair or activities. The $5 day price is not worth it if you just want to hike and see the park as it is quite small and you can complete every trail in just a few hours if you tried. The falls itself is pretty nice for the area and would provide a pleasant respite from the road. As far as the campground goes, it is just as small as the park itself. It abuts a barb wire fence designating the difference between private property and the park and has some in vogue features such as yurts but the small size and the layout make it one I will not go back to. With 2 dogs who like to bark and a desire to go on longer hikes and activities, there just isn't much here for me. As far as the sites, the layouts were nice with a table and fire ring and adequate space but overall pretty forgetful.

When traveling through Oklahoma, Natural Falls is a great place to camp. It’s on border of Arkansas and Oklahoma, near Siloam Springs. It’s peaceful. You can take your wheelchair on some of the trails and look at the Falls. There’s a steep hike down to the falls for those who can walk it. The road is paved and each site has cement pad. So if you have a special needs person with you they can get around with no prob. There is also discount for totally disabled people.

There are nice playgrounds, disc golf and trails. Camp in RV or tent. Definitely going back. Been twice already in one summer. (2019)

Make your reservation and learn more https://travelok.com

Greenleaf State Park is a gem in eastern Oklahoma. This state park offers fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and a splash pad to cool off at! It also is home to The Cabin on the Lake, the first cabin built in Oklahoma for the physically challenged.

We stayed in the Cypress Row campground at site #6. 30 amp and water. No sewer, but dump station close by. This site was close to the bathhouse and lake. You could walk to the lake and fish off the docks or on the lake edge. The only disadvantage to this park is some sites share water. In our site we needed 50 ft of water hose and I would suggest bringing a “y” water connector.

We enjoyed hiking the trails and our little one enjoyed the splash pad. The splash pad is fairly new and kept in great shape. It is a local favorite.

Pros: Clean park Lots of activities Shade galore

Cons: Some sites are shared water-bring extra hoses and a “y” connector

Just a short drive from Tulsa, Greenleaf State Park is a great place for a getaway. The park has tent, RV, and cabin accommodations along with one of the best gift shops in the Oklahoma State Park system. A splash pad is available during the Summer but put-put is available anytime.

RV sites are paved, and gravel, but could use some sewer hook up - dump stations are available and well equipped.

Great staff made this a great weekend getaway!

Sequoyah State Park located just 8 miles from Wagoner Oklahoma has something for everyone. Sitting along the shore of Ft Gibson Lake with more than 19,000 surface acres and 225 miles of shoreline make this a water enthusiast paradise. From power boating, canoe and kayaking, fishing or just hanging at the beach area you will not be dissapointed. The park offers saddle rides, hiking and golf with a huge lodge facility complete with pool and splash area, dining, 104 guest rooms and 45 cottages. Camping is available in 5 campground areas varying from primitive tent camping to full hook up RV and bathhouses. The Choctaw campground sites all have water, sewer, and 50/30 amp electric with concrete pad, table, fire ring. Seminole and Cherokee having a mix of services. Paradise Cove and Chickasaw are for tent camping. There are plenty of picnic areas and playgrounds dispersed throughout and you definitely don't want to miss the Three Forks Nature Center. WARNING: Oklahoma State Parks charge a daily parking fee per vehicle of$10 in addition to the camping fee and they enforce it...just saying from experience...read the information carefully! Park Office GPS- 35.9279936,-95.2507104 Reservations: https://www.travelok.com/ Park Office: 17131 Park 10 Hulbert, OK 74441

Busy on summer weekends, the best time to visit is during the week or during the off-season. The park has been voted best in Oklahoma and it shows. Peaceful camping near the lake and additional sites on top of the hill give a variety of options. We’ve used tents and campers with enjoyment for both. The lake has rentals and a marina/restaurant that does not disappoint.

As a bonus, there is a new splash pad that our kids enjoyed. The lake isn’t the best for swimming, so the splash pad works for the hot summer afternoons.

This was our first stay in Oklahoma camping. I highly recommend staying at this location or the location across Fort Gibson Like(Johnson Bay). The campsites are very specious and most if not all of them overlook the lake. We stayed here during December and there was only one other camper present. There are vaulted toilets and water around the camping area. You can stay up to 14 days for free at this location. We will return next time we are passing through!

Check out our blog at www.unnamedadventures.com and follow our journey on Facebook and Instagram or on our YouTube Channel at Unnamed Adventures. 

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Sequoyah State Park is just beautiful. I stayed in Paradise Cove in a tent site quite literally right on the water since this part of Oklahoma is experiencing flooding right now. There are flush toilets in this part of the park, but there are showers in others. There’s a short hiking trail, it’s great for bike riding, and there’s a nature center with various animals. There’s also a golf course and a lodge at the opposite end of the park. Since it was my first solo camping trip I wanted to make sure I wasn’t too far from civilization in case I didn’t have everything I needed. It was a fabulous trip and I’d definitely stay here again!

If you dig the crowds and the splash park scene and the loud music... hit it in the summer. But if you like it quiet and peaceful check it out in the winter or early spring. Fall colors are beautiful but attract a crowd.

One really great thing about the summer is that a pair of Osprey have begun nesting across highway 10! So neat to see the pair nesting in Oklahoma.

The hiking trails need some maintenance. The bridge has been closed for some time but there are ways around and the backcountry is open for camping too which is rare in a state park.

The campsites along the lake at Cypress Row are great along with the rest. Everything from primitive backcountry to full hookups is available here.

The fishing form the dock is fruitful. From a boat even better.

The store is nice. The owners are nice. The loud music they play is not as nice.

Overall a great escape not far from Tulsa.

We had a blast. The first night it was truly freezing but we made it through. We went to enjoy hiking & fall colors and we're not disappointed. Close clean restrooms makes this park ideal for family. When we pulled in there were signs they were voted one of Oklahoma's best parks for families and we could see why. Tons of sites both with and without electricity. Sites without electricity and water had water pumps nearby for all to utilize. There was even a large pool and several playgrounds

My first evening I wandered down to use the restroom and I observed a pack of turkeys quietly making their way down the ridge. It was magical.

Our site was adequate with a picnic table, water, & electric hookups. Good thing we were in a tent because we couldn't get our electricity to work. We used an uncamped in spot to charge.

Great hiking through gorgeous fall colors. Only slight annoyance was it was some kind of hunting season so we only felt comfortable going so far on the trails.

We were so surprised with this park because we’d hardly even heard of it. The campsites were plentiful with beautiful views of the lake. It was early in the season so not very busy. The sites were clean and easy to navigate. We enjoyed the nature center, getting to view a bald eagle and coyote. The lodge is very nice and would definitely recommend to someone who doesn’t want to rough it. I’d like to come back in the summer to take advantage of the pool. We walked along the fitness trail and tried out the recommended activities for fun. We then took one of the longer trails that winds throughout the park. These trails were not well marked but they made for a great Oklahoma hike. We fished near the group camp area as a storm was brewing and we wanted to be near a picnic shelter. The lake is very pretty, would definitely recommend for kayak or boating. The o my issues we had was, we needed a shower and the camp showers which are coin operated did not have hot water as indicated. Made for a very chilly rinse. All in all we will be back!

The Trailhead camping area is so-so. You can access the camping areas at the back by driving across the lawn. The spots are quite narrow, so your neighbors are right on top of you. There was a water spigot available but in a neighboring campsite maybe 10 ft from the fire ring, so I had to disturb them to get water, it's just a poor setup.

The bathroom was fine, but the shower was in poor repair, with wood rot and an uneven floor. The cover on the drain was loose and moved if you stepped on it. The showerhead could not be adjusted so it sprayed outside the shower area into the rest of the stall where you would keep your clothing. There was no curtain between the shower and the rest of the stall, either, and combined with the short stall door it was not very private at all. No clothing/towel hooks, the only place to set anything was a narrow window ledge. And it wasn't very clean, either. I got out my camp shower and set it up in my campsite because the provided shower was in such bad shape.

We had several people walk through our campsite during the weekend and plenty of noisy neighbors and barking dogs, so it seemed like people camping here in general are either inexperienced or rude. I've never had those problems so frequently while camping as I had here. If you're looking for a quiet campground to relax in, this isn't it.

The water was lukewarm in the lake, but the weather was hot so it felt ok. That's just Oklahoma in June, for you.

The staff were friendly and helpful, so that was a positive point. My overall impression is that this park is in need of funding for upgrades and maintenance, but the staff is doing their best.

Overall, I probably won't camp here again, there are tons of parks in this area and they are in better shape, with better camping areas.

I should start by saying we went to the park on Mother’s Day weekend. This may have, and probably did impact the crowd. However, the number of people makes me think it is like this on most weekends. I asked a park ranger and they indicated it’s very busy on the weekend. Due to the parks proximity to AR and OKlahoma (literally almost on the border), it is a high day use park. The actual camping areas are really nice. I’d break it down like this: if I’m a tent, the sites are great all around. If you’ve got a camper like me, the rv sites are real close together. I shared a video explaining my top choice. I’d choose site 4 bc it backs up to the playground, lots of green space around, and short walking distance to bathhouse. If I were going with another family, as my brother and I often do, I’d go with sites 5&6. They are in a corner, also back up to playground, lots of green, and short walking distance from bathhouse. One draw back is there is only one bathhouse for all campers. This is a big drawback for me. With the number of sites and the number of people who visit, this sort of grossed me out just thinking about it. I took pics of the inside of the men’s showers. They looked ok, not great. If you’re counting on using the bathhouse, I don’t know about this park. The pros of the park are many. It’s beautiful. Lots of great trails with a good mix of easy-difficult. The signature water fall trail is beautiful. The park has a disc golf course that’s really nice and well maintained. Lots of picnic tables, grills, etc around. Nice playground, beach volleyball, and horse shoes, all near both the tent and rv sites. There’s also a huge green space/field of sorts for throwing a frisbee, soccer, etc which isn’t altogether common in parks. Overall, it’s a great little park, but I’m giving it 3 stars bc of the sheer volume of people you have to deal with and the bathhouse issue. These issues alone will keep me from ever camping there unless I go during the week.

(See below for my updates) Great park for anyone wanting to catch a round of golf while camping. Sequoyah is very near Tahlequah, Oklahoma so there’s easy access to food and other shopping needs on a trip. The main pro for Sequoyah is the golf course, which large flows along the shore line of Fort Gibson Lake, over 19,000 acres of water. The course is really well maintained for a state park; however, you should be aware that during a recent trip to another OK state park, I played a round of golf and was told by the course pro that Sequoyah is turning their 18 hole course into a 9 hole course bc the campground is so frequently flooded. To that end, you should definitely pay attention to local rainfall levels prior to visiting Sequoyah if your planning a trip. There are several separate camping areas, all of which are named after a particular Native tribe such as “Seminole area.” Some areas are more prone than others to flooding so you should check with the park before going bc you may very well be limited in what you’re able to do or access if there has been local flooding. Beyond the golf course, the other obvious benefit of this park is Fort Gibson Lake, which is stunning. It’s a paradise for fishermen and boaters. For non water sport enthusiast, there is some great hiking at the park, as well as the Three Forks Nature Center, which my kids loved. The camp sites along the lake are generally for tent campers, but regardless, there is tons of sandy shoreline for swimming and playing in the water. Really pretty area of the park. There’s also a few beach volleyball courts and disc golf, which is a personal fav of mine. Lastly, for anyone not wanting to “camp,” have no fear! The “Lodge at Sequoyah State Park” is very, very, VERY nice and the rooms are reasonably priced for what you get. It was completely renovated recently and now very much looks like something you would expect out of a premier hotel or resort, not a state park. If you have a significant other who suffers through your love of the outdoors, they will LOVE this place and likely ask you when you’d like to return as soon as they arrive.  My wife loves me enough to go camping in our PopUp, but when she learned about the Lodge, that was it no sleeping the popup on this trip.  The room was unreal (see pics). We definitely felt like we were at a luxury resort, not camping.  So to the extent that may bother you, don't stay in the Lodge.  The Lodge is located directly on the water and it has tremendous views of the lake and sunset.  It is also located in close proximity to the volleyball courts and beach area along the lakeshore, which has day use picnic tables everywhere. I should also mention that there is a superb restaurant in the Lodge as well, which I always make note of due to the ease of having at least one meal prepared for us instead of cooking at the campsite while trying to wrangle 3 boys under 4.  Overall, I feel confident in saying that Sequoyah is probably one of Oklahoma’s better parks due to the activities and amenities it offers, the scenery and proximity to a “town” in the event you need something during your trip. We will definitely be going back, whether I want to or not.  My wife is sold! (Updated review) I have since been back to Sequoyah and I decided to upgrade the park to 5 stars. It’s just a beautiful, great park. Tons to do, accommodations for all preferences, swimming, boating, golf, disc golf, horseback riding, boating, fishing, great trails, HUGE park, tons of sites, lots of trees, tons of green space in camping areas, [now has renovated] camping sites for all preferences/sizes of campers, trailers, hookups, etc. (see video). Above all, for anyone in Tulsa or surrounding area (the second most populated city in OK by far), the park is 30 minutes SE. Its also like 15 minutes from Wagoner or Hulbert, in both of which you can easily find food options, groceries, etc if needed. For anyone with or without kids, Sequoyah is a cant miss in this area of the world. I want to check out Sequoyah Bay Park, which is across the lake in a SW’ly direction. I plan to camp at Sequoyah in two weeks so I will drive over to Sequoyah Bay and snag some video/pics for anyone needing more info. Overall, great park with literally everything you could want in a state park.

Quick update: I just camped at this park (June 2020) and it was one of the hottest weekends we’ve had in almost a year. One of the things I wanted to note was shaded campsites. In the Seminole loop (best in park), site 8 is one of the hottest in the park. It gets sun from about 10am to 5pm. There are no trees south of this site so it’s very hot. If you need relief from sun, site 22 is the bomb. Shades all day. Also, site 9 isn’t bad, but it gets a lot of sun in the late afternoon. So I think of all the sites, for temp considerations, site 22 is the way to go. Happy camping!

I visited Greenleaf for a short trip in the fall with my oldest son. It was a short overnight excursion so I would add a caveat that we didn’t get to do much in the park. With that said, it’s a solid little park. There’s a miniature golf course, though it isn’t well kept. The sites at the entry to the park are pretty large with water and power. Some have sewer as well. The nicer camping area is near the lake, which is very nice and the views are great. I reserved my spot at the last minute so I was not able to get a spot by the lake. It’s a great park for anyone wanting to do a lot of fishing or boating. There are two playgrounds; the one at the front of the park where we stayed is dated and frankly not very good. However, the one near the lake is much better. The bathhouses were better than most in Oklahoma and they are a single large bathroom with a toilet and shower head. This was perfect for us bc it was easy to bath my son without worrying he would be encroaching on anyone’s space. There is also a kid fishing pond which my son did well in. There’s a lot of catfish in the pond. The only negative I could add, if it is negative, would be that this is a heavily trafficked hunting campground. The woodlands surrounding the park are used by hunters all fall. While we were camping almost every site was occupied by hunters. They would all leave early in the morning which was kind of annoying, but it made the park virtually empty from the time we woke up until late in the afternoon when they all start to return. Don’t be surprised if you visit in the fall and you’re the only one not wearing camo and hunter’s orange. Also, for anyone wanting to group camp at Greenleaf, there’s a great building available to reserve at the back of the loop in the entrance to the park that is across from the bathhouse and playground. It is completely enclosed, has a/c, large fridge, sink and microwave. While we were there, several groups of hunters had reserved this to muse as sort of a home base where they kept food and other things of that nature. They had set up several folding tables and chairs and I assume they used it as a place to gather for meals. It’s a great spot for anyone wanting to camp with a large family, church group or just a multi family trip. And to that end, the sites at Greenleaf are arranged in such a way that it is a great park for multiple families to camp together, with lots of shared/communal green space for activities. That’s particular true in the loop closest to the entrance where we stayed. Lastly, during our trip, there was a lot of construction going on as they are completely remodeling the visitor center, which looked like it will be quite big. I don’t know what will be included in the new building, but whatever it is will likely enhance your experience. I would add though that it was clearly in the early stages of construction so you may want to call ahead and check the status, as the construction work and equipment was really loud. Overall, it’s a nice, tranquil park with some great views. There isn’t a ton to do at the park beyond typical campground activities unless your planning to use the lake for fishing and boating. Hiking trails are short and easy in difficulty. I enjoyed our stay and will probably go back bc my son loved the kid fishing pond and miniature golf course on site. I’m giving it 3 stars bc they need to update the playground and generally give the park a bit of a facelift.