Top Tent Camping near Vian, OK

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Best Tent Sites Near Vian, OK (19)

    Camper-submitted photo from Eagles Point — Tenkiller State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Eagles Point — Tenkiller State Park

    1. Eagles Point — Tenkiller State Park

    3 Reviews
    2 Photos
    5 Saves

    Tenkiller State Park is known as Oklahoma's “heaven in the hills.” The sparkling blue waters of Lake Tenkiller offer water enthusiasts an abundance of recreational opportunities between 130 miles of shoreline and 13,000 surface acres. The park’s plentiful amenities make it a favorite destination for all ages.

    Tenkiller State Park in Vian is a haven for all water sports including water skiing, fishing, boating, tubing and scuba diving. Outdoor facilities include a volleyball court, basketball court, two playground areas, four group picnic pavilions and 172 picnic tables. An outdoor swimming pool is available seasonally at the park and includes a water slide and splash pad. Additional amenities include a community building, three hiking trails and the Driftwood Nature Center.

    Lake Tenkiller is considered one of the best places in the state for scuba diving, as its waters are clear from eight to 28 feet. Tenkiller Scuba Park is a diver's dream, with a sunken airplane fuselage, school bus, helicopter and two boats to explore underwater. In some areas of the lake, divers can see the remains of homesteads and artifacts left behind from before the lake was formed. The Fisherman's Point Area provides access to a swim beach, dive park, and boat ramp. The lake's underwater terrain ranges from mildly sloping hills to rock cliffs, and the water goes up to 160 feet deep in places. With an Oklahoma fishing license, divers can try their luck at spear fishing for non-game fish. Two diving pro shops, Gene's Aqua Pro and Nautical Adventures, are located on the lake and offer training, certification and equipment rental.

    Tenkiller State Park offers RV and tent sites scattered between 10 campgrounds. Online reservations must be made for the RV and tent campsites. Primitive campgrounds include Bluff View, Eagle Point, and Hickory Flats with Day use area's at Fisherman's Point, Goose Neck Bend North and South . RV campgrounds with 30-amp electric and water hookups include Blue Jay Knob and Flying Squirrel. The Shady Grove and Fox Squirrel campgrounds both offer full hookups, with 50-amp electric service. A total of seven comfort stations with restrooms and showers are available in the park, and there are two on-site waste dump stations.

    In addition to the tent and RV campgrounds, Tenkiller State Park guests may choose from 38 cabins, ranging from one to three-bedroom styles. All the cabins, except for the three-bedroom models, are duplexes. Cabins are equipped for the maximum number of guests with linens, full kitchens, heat, air conditioning and satellite television. In addition, some cabins are pet friendly. There are a total of 22 one-bedroom cabins, 14 two-bedroom cabins and two three-bedroom cabin.

    Tenkiller State Park features two multi-use trails and one nature trail. The Tenkiller Multi-Use Trail is a handicap accessible paved trail 1.5 miles in length. Also located on-site, the Pine Cove Marina offers fuel, snacks and boat rentals, as well as the floating Clearwater Café.

    Tenkiller State Park also has The Driftwood Nature Center and a full time Naturalist on staff. There are daily activities Memorial Day through Labor Day. Through the winter months weekend events and activities are planned. To see what is happening at The Driftwood Nature Center call 918-489-5641 or email: leann.bunn@travelok.com

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Toilets
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Flats — Tenkiller State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Flats — Tenkiller State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Flats — Tenkiller State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Flats — Tenkiller State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Flats — Tenkiller State Park
    Camper-submitted photo from Hickory Flats — Tenkiller State Park

    2. Hickory Flats — Tenkiller State Park

    2 Reviews
    11 Photos
    5 Saves

    Tenkiller State Park is known as Oklahoma's “heaven in the hills.” The sparkling blue waters of Lake Tenkiller offer water enthusiasts an abundance of recreational opportunities between 130 miles of shoreline and 13,000 surface acres. The park’s plentiful amenities make it a favorite destination for all ages.

    Tenkiller State Park in Vian is a haven for all water sports including water skiing, fishing, boating, tubing and scuba diving. Outdoor facilities include a volleyball court, basketball court, two playground areas, four group picnic pavilions and 172 picnic tables. An outdoor swimming pool is available seasonally at the park and includes a water slide and splash pad. Additional amenities include a community building, three hiking trails and the Driftwood Nature Center.

    Lake Tenkiller is considered one of the best places in the state for scuba diving, as its waters are clear from eight to 28 feet. Tenkiller Scuba Park is a diver's dream, with a sunken airplane fuselage, school bus, helicopter and two boats to explore underwater. In some areas of the lake, divers can see the remains of homesteads and artifacts left behind from before the lake was formed. The Fisherman's Point Area provides access to a swim beach, dive park, and boat ramp. The lake's underwater terrain ranges from mildly sloping hills to rock cliffs, and the water goes up to 160 feet deep in places. With an Oklahoma fishing license, divers can try their luck at spear fishing for non-game fish. Two diving pro shops, Gene's Aqua Pro and Nautical Adventures, are located on the lake and offer training, certification and equipment rental.

    Tenkiller State Park offers RV and tent sites scattered between 10 campgrounds. Online reservations must be made for the RV and tent campsites. Primitive campgrounds include Bluff View, Eagle Point, and Hickory Flats with Day use area's at Fisherman's Point, Goose Neck Bend North and South . RV campgrounds with 30-amp electric and water hookups include Blue Jay Knob and Flying Squirrel. The Shady Grove and Fox Squirrel campgrounds both offer full hookups, with 50-amp electric service. A total of seven comfort stations with restrooms and showers are available in the park, and there are two on-site waste dump stations.

    In addition to the tent and RV campgrounds, Tenkiller State Park guests may choose from 38 cabins, ranging from one to three-bedroom styles. All the cabins, except for the three-bedroom models, are duplexes. Cabins are equipped for the maximum number of guests with linens, full kitchens, heat, air conditioning and satellite television. In addition, some cabins are pet friendly. There are a total of 22 one-bedroom cabins, 14 two-bedroom cabins and two three-bedroom cabin.

    Tenkiller State Park features two multi-use trails and one nature trail. The Tenkiller Multi-Use Trail is a handicap accessible paved trail 1.5 miles in length. Also located on-site, the Pine Cove Marina offers fuel, snacks and boat rentals, as well as the floating Clearwater Café.

    Tenkiller State Park also has The Driftwood Nature Center and a full time Naturalist on staff. There are daily activities Memorial Day through Labor Day. Through the winter months weekend events and activities are planned. To see what is happening at The Driftwood Nature Center call 918-489-5641 or email: leann.bunn@travelok.com

    • Pets
    • Fires
    • Reservable
    • Tents
    • Toilets
    • No image available

      3. Gates Nature Preserve

      1 Review
      5 Saves

      Camp at an animal lovers paradise! Gates Nature Preserve allows you to pitch your tent beside a petting zoo. Meet exotic reptiles and farm animals while spending a night in the forest of Eastern Oklahoma. When you're not playing with animals, Gates Nature Preserve is an outlet to the outdoors! This campsite sits beside the Tenkiller Ferry Lake which is great for water sports and only 5 miles from Tenkiller State Park. It is also less than 7 miles from Greenleaf state park which gives you access to the Arkansas River, Webber Falls Reservoir and Greenleaf Lake. This campsite is equipped with picnic tables, a fire pit, and a bathhouse with potable water and showers. Bring your own tent, food, and firewood.

      • Pets
      • Fires
      • ADA Access
      • Tents
      • Trash
      • Picnic Table

      $25 / night

      Camper-submitted photo from Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Natural Dam
      Camper-submitted photo from Natural Dam
      Camper-submitted photo from Natural Dam
      Camper-submitted photo from Natural Dam
      Camper-submitted photo from Natural Dam
      Camper-submitted photo from Natural Dam

      5. Natural Dam

      4 Reviews
      11 Photos
      55 Saves
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • Tents
      • Showers
      • Toilets
      Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Bay Recreation Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Bay Recreation Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Bay Recreation Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Bay Recreation Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Bay Recreation Area
      Camper-submitted photo from Jackson Bay Recreation Area

      6. Jackson Bay Recreation Area

      3 Reviews
      15 Photos
      102 Saves
      • Pets
      • Fires
      • Phone Service
      • Tents
      • Group
      • Standard (Tent/RV)
      • No image available

        7. Sequoyah Bay State Park

        2 Reviews
        13 Saves
        • Pets
        • Fires
        • Electric Hookups
        • Reservable
        • RVs
        • Tents
        • No image available
          • No image available

            9. Burnt Cabin

            Be the first to review!

            This recreation area is part of Tenkiller Ferry Lake

            • Tents
            • No image available

              10. Barnacle Bill's

              Be the first to review!

              This recreation area is part of Tenkiller Ferry Lake

              • Tents
            Showing results 1-10 of 19 campgrounds

            Recent Tent Reviews In Vian

            642 Reviews of 19 Vian Campgrounds


            • George B.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Snake Creek
              Nov. 2, 2024

              Snake Creek

              Great place to stay.

              We really enjoyed this campground. Lots of room to roam, Plenty of access to the water for boats (multiple ramps) or wading/swimming. Plenty of sites to choose from some shaded, some by the water.  A few full hookups but not many. Most spots are just electric and water. Clean restrooms/showers. One newer area of the campground has new private shower rooms. We have been back a couple of times with all the kids and grandkids. Overall a nice corp of engineers park.

            • Andrew R.
              Camper-submitted photo from Applegate Cove Campground
              Oct. 30, 2024

              Applegate Cove Campground

              Tucked away spot that's almost heaven

              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.

            • NThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Springhill
              Oct. 30, 2024

              Springhill

              Great for the weekend!

              Fantastic park to bring the kids and ride the bike trails or fish. Several pavilions and playgrounds. Clean campground. NO SEWER at campsites which is the only reason for the 4 stars. We stayed 7 days and had to move to pump out twice during our stay, so it was slightly inconvenient. Other than that, we loved it and will be back for shorter visits!

            • Todd R.
              Camper-submitted photo from Chicken Creek
              Oct. 9, 2024

              Chicken Creek

              Chicken Creek

              Great camp ground, pleanty of shady spots. Would have given 5 stars, but they are limited on sites with 50amps. Showers were in rough shape as well

            • CThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Natural Dam
              Oct. 4, 2024

              Natural Dam

              Nice quiet spot not far from I-40

              Easy to get to from I-40. Arrived late on a Thursday night and was the only person there. A little road noise off in the distance but the waterfall all but drowned it out.

            • p
              Camper-submitted photo from Springhill
              Sep. 12, 2024

              Springhill

              2 Days Nice

              A little older of an area. Stayed in site B10. Close to level. We have a 36' 5th wheel, tow vehicle, plus another vehicle. Easy entry into site and large enough for all vehicles. Asphalt with concrete patio. There is a picnic table and fire ring. 50/30/20A We can kind of see the river from this site. Very roomy sites in the woods with plenty of shade. Mostly dirt ground. Older but clean restrooms. We didn't use them. There are single person combined toilet and shower rooms at the front of park. There are mountain bike/hiking trails all over, even a little bike park with ramps and jumps. Playground and boat ramp. No sewer hookups, but there is a dump station. Lots of mosquitoes in the evening. Although some sites need maintenance and the restrooms are old, this is a nice park. We stayed 2 days and would definitely stay again.

            • Noel L.
              Camper-submitted photo from Applegate Cove Campground
              Sep. 8, 2024

              Applegate Cove Campground

              Nice campground

              Older 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.

            • Candy S.
              Camper-submitted photo from Bluff View
              Aug. 10, 2024

              Bluff View

              Bluff view

              It's a beautiful spot surrounded by big rocks. The only complaint is the restrooms are quite dirty, and the shower doesn't have cold water.

            • Craig E.
              Camper-submitted photo from Dogwood Drive - Lake Eufaula State Park
              Aug. 7, 2024

              Dogwood Drive - Lake Eufaula State Park

              Shady and Secluded

              Site 95 in Dogwood loop of Lake Eufala is awesome. Only 1 other RV site close by. Rest of campers are half mile away. Unless you need the bathouse regularly it's the perfect spot. Plenty of trees, squirrels, birds, and a few deer. Site is paved but not quite level. It's listed as premium site because of patio and wider driveway. Nearly all others are super narrow with 4-5 inch drop off on either side. I would have been rolling my ankle constantly. You're pretty close to entrance of this campground so road noise could be a problem during peak season. Short drive to lake or you can take one of the trails. Full Hookups were dirty but in good working order.

            • L
              Camper-submitted photo from Brushy Lake State Park
              Jul. 28, 2024

              Brushy Lake State Park

              Quaint and Quiet

              21 RV spots available around a small, family lake. Water and electric hook ups and clean dump station. Small park/play area and two large pavilions. Hiking trail located at the back of the park. Lake is great for fishing and kayaking. Not a major boating or water sport lake. First come first serve spots. Camp host is helpful and friendly. Calm and quiet stay

            • Mike
              Camper-submitted photo from Natural Falls State Park
              Jul. 20, 2024

              Natural Falls State Park

              Even Better if You Like Stock Car Races

              Very nice and spacious sites with lots of trees and shade. Good hiking and views of the falls. Unless you’re a fan of oval dirt track racing, most Friday and Saturday nights in the summer and fall are pretty loud until after 11:00 at night.

            • Frank S.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Onapa RV Park & Campground
              Jul. 15, 2024

              Onapa RV Park & Campground

              Quiet and peaceful

              Wife and I stayed here for 5 nights, the owners were very friendly and helpful. The campground is close to Checotah and several boat ramps for lake access. We will definitely stay here again.

            • KThe Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Clear Creek - Ozark Lake (AR)
              Jun. 6, 2024

              Clear Creek - Ozark Lake (AR)

              Bugs bugs bugs

              I don’t have many nice things to say about this campground. The bugs were out of control. The bathroom was out of order and a porta potty was set up beside it. The site we chose,#3, was the best site. We found some good trees to set up our hammocks with a view of the forest. 1 and 2 were ok, 4-9 were downright terrible. Basically a parking spot with a picnic area. All the sites were close together. The check in process consisted of a guy in an unmarked vehicle driving up and striking up a conversation without identifying himself. Check out works the same. If you have a boat or tv this park may be nice but I wouldn’t camp here. The hike around nearby lake Alma was the highlight of our trip.

            • Jade S.
              Camper-submitted photo from Crowder Point Family Campground
              May. 24, 2024

              Crowder Point Family Campground

              Said frew on the app

              Said 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.

            • Paul B.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Fort Chaffee RV Military
              May. 20, 2024

              Fort Chaffee RV Military

              FHU for $18

              Stayed here over a non drill weekend, and the whole place was deserted. Nice spot on the end with trees and the fishing pond. Must be self contained, no bath house. Conveniently located near Fort Smith AR.

            • M
              Camper-submitted photo from Pappy’s Riverside RV Park
              May. 12, 2024

              Pappy’s Riverside RV Park

              great place to stay off highway 412

              Stayed here while we went to Strawberry Festival in Stilwell. Very convenient to highway 412 and Siloam Springs. Hosts very friendly and helpful. New park, nothing fancy but a work in progress reasonably priced. Met our needs. Great location next to Illinois River if you want to kayak. Lots of open area to tent camp. Very secluded. Loved watching fireflies over the hayfield.

            • Cameron L.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Brooken Cove Campground
              May. 12, 2024

              Brooken Cove Campground

              Great View

              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.

            • Jamye W.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from William O. Darby RV Community
              May. 4, 2024

              William O. Darby RV Community

              Great overnight spot

              Contacted owner late in the evening looking for a spot after a 9hour drive. This place had everything and the bathhouse was just like taking a shower at home! Would stop here again when passing through!!

            • Jeanette W.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Gentry Creek Landing
              Apr. 29, 2024

              Gentry Creek Landing

              On Top of the HIll

              Our campsite, #33, was perched on top of a hill, accessible by a fairly long, steep incline.  The site is not level and would be appropriate only for shorter RVs.  The site's position made it one of the more isolated campsites so it was more private than others.  Site #33 does not have its own water source.  It shares one water spigot with 2 other sites.

              Eufaula Lake was muddy and not very appealing. The camp grounds were well-maintained and the camp host was friendly.

            • Craig E.
              Camper-submitted photo from Fort Smith-Alma RV Park
              Apr. 21, 2024

              Fort Smith-Alma RV Park

              Quiet and clean

              Was headed to Lake Fort Smith but area was booked so we stopped here and was pleased with our stay. Spaces are quite small but it has become the norm everywhere. Site A2 had fire pit, grill, picnic table was pretty level even with gravel. Fishing pond, dog walk area, propane station all on property for reasonable rates. Bathouse was clean and stocked. Only complaint was these little red mites. I looked them up and they are harmless but they were numerous and made us uncomfortable. I was especially concerned for our 2 dogs. I believe this is an old KOA under private ownership. They have done a great job updating the place. Jules at the office was also very pleasant and helpful.

            • James F.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Natural Dam
              Apr. 4, 2024

              Natural Dam

              Beautiful spot, no facilities

              Pulled in about 7 pm. Several cars there but no other campers. Quiet evening without disturbance. It was chilly in the morning, so the fog off the waterfall was eerily gorgeous.

            • Angela C.The Dyrt PRO User
              Camper-submitted photo from Riverfront RV Resort
              Apr. 2, 2024

              Riverfront RV Resort

              Easy stopover in Fort Smith

              We stayed at this newish RV campsite for an overnight. It is located right along the river and is close to other attractions like Fort Smith and the US Marshall’s Museum (literally down the block). Our kids enjoyed the playground, outdoor gym, and pickleball - it was too cold to swim. There is only one bathhouse, but it was clean. The front office has a small store and the staff was nice. There are several restaurants within a mile. There was a gate at the front. There is a walking trail along the river so if your campsite faces it, there is plenty of people walking along that trail.

            • Ashton U.
              Camper-submitted photo from Natural Falls State Park
              Mar. 19, 2024

              Natural Falls State Park

              Beware Racetrack Noise

              This was a really nice campground with easy walks to some beautiful scenery! Flat pads with nice tables/grills/fire pits. Sites 3/4/11-14 have a lot more room so we’d probably pick one of those next time. There is a racetrack near by that was so loud we couldn’t hear each other talking from 6-11pm on Friday night which made it difficult to put our baby to bed. We’d love to go back but will definitely pick a weekend without a race next time.



            Guide to Vian

            Camping near Vian, Oklahoma, offers a variety of beautiful spots for outdoor enthusiasts. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

            What to do:

            • Hiking: There are numerous trails in the area. At Devil's Den State Park Campground, one visitor mentioned, "The hikes are short and just amazing!" This park has trails that lead to stunning views and unique landscapes.
            • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground, provide access to fishing spots. One camper noted, "You can’t swim or paddleboard but can kayak or fish here."
            • Wildlife Watching: Campers at Natural Falls State Park Campground have spotted various wildlife. A reviewer shared, "We saw a wild river otter swimming there is so much wildlife out there."

            What campers like:

            • Clean Facilities: Campgrounds like Greenleaf State Park Campground are praised for their cleanliness. One visitor said, "The bathrooms were clean and had AC!"
            • Spacious Sites: Campers appreciate the roomy sites at Robbers Cave State Park. A review mentioned, "The site was absolutely massive, and turned out to be even better than the one that we had initially picked out."
            • Friendly Staff: Many campgrounds have helpful staff. At Mulberry River Outdoor Adventures, a camper noted, "The owners are great and helpful."

            What you should know:

            • Noise Levels: Some campgrounds, like Natural Falls State Park Campground, can be noisy during events. One camper warned, "Unless you’re a fan of oval dirt track racing, most Friday and Saturday nights in the summer and fall are pretty loud until after 11:00 at night."
            • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. For example, White Rock Mountain Recreation Area has primitive sites with only water and outhouse-style bathrooms. A visitor mentioned, "It has primitive sites with water and outhouse style bathrooms."
            • Reservations Required: Some campgrounds, like Springhill, require reservations in advance. A camper noted, "You have to reserve your site in advance via Recreation.gov."

            Tips for camping with families:

            • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities for kids. At Greenleaf State Park Campground, one reviewer said, "On premises splash park with waterside was great for the grandkids."
            • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have a list of activities. A camper at Lake Fort Smith State Park Campground mentioned, "Nice large pool area with a water playground/splash pad."
            • Pack for Bugs: Bring bug spray or a screen room. One camper at Springhill advised, "Bring screen room or bug repellent for biting flies and no-seeums."

            Tips from RVers:

            Camping around Vian, Oklahoma, has something for everyone, from families to RVers. With beautiful scenery and plenty of activities, it’s a great spot for your next outdoor adventure!

            Frequently Asked Questions

            • Which is the most popular tent campsite near Vian, OK?

              According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Vian, OK is Eagles Point — Tenkiller State Park with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

            • What is the best site to find tent camping near Vian, OK?

              TheDyrt.com has all 19 tent camping locations near Vian, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.