Best Tent Camping near Watts, OK

The Ozark foothills surrounding Watts, Oklahoma offer several tent camping options where water features and natural scenery create memorable backcountry experiences. Flint Creek provides walk-in tent sites with basic amenities including toilets and picnic tables, while Highwater Camp offers more secluded tent campsites along the Illinois River. Both locations are within 15 miles of Watts and provide access to swimming, fishing, and hiking opportunities. Natural Dam, located across the Arkansas border approximately 25 miles southeast of Watts, offers free primitive tent camping near a scenic waterfall.

Most tent campgrounds in the region feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal site preparation. Flint Creek provides electric hookups and basic toilets, though drinking water is not available at most sites. Highwater Camp requires reservations and fills quickly due to limited availability, typically offering only one or two tent sites per day. Jackson Bay Recreation Area, though farther from Watts, provides free primitive tent camping with a 14-day stay limit. Campers should bring their own water and supplies, as amenities are limited throughout the region. Roads to some sites may become difficult to navigate after rain, particularly at locations near rivers where high water can affect campsite access.

Tent campers frequently mention the natural water features as highlights of the camping experience. According to reviews, Highwater Camp offers "privacy compared to other campgrounds in the area with large crowds" and features "large, open campsites with lots of shade trees." At Natural Dam, one visitor noted that "the waterfall provides good noise cover for the road nearby," making it suitable for tent-only camping despite its proximity to roads. Morning fog over the waterfall creates memorable views for early risers. Flint Creek campers appreciate the "expansive swimming and wading areas" with both deep pools and shallow sections suitable for families. Wildlife viewing opportunities include various bird species, particularly at riverside locations.

Best Tent Sites Near Watts, Oklahoma (25)

    1. Flint Creek

    3 Reviews
    Colcord, OK
    9 miles
    Website

    "I stay at a camp right off of flint creek every summer , it is open to the public for the most part for fishing or swimming , there is a gorgeous little natural waterfall right under the highway so you"

    2. Highwater Camp

    1 Review
    Watts, OK
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 226-1308

    $30 - $45 / night

    "You will enjoy the privacy compared to other campgrounds in the area that have large crowds.  Book early as it fill up fast and they do not offer more than one or two spaces per day. "

    3. Heavenly Hollow - 4WD Only

    Be the first to review!
    Siloam Springs, AR
    3 miles
    +1 (479) 715-5247

    4. Elephant Rock Nature Park

    1 Review
    Tahlequah, OK
    22 miles
    +1 (918) 456-4215

    "Right up highway ten in tahlequah."

    5. Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area

    3 Reviews
    Park Hill, OK
    27 miles

    "Traveling north towards Tahlequah, Oklahoma I caught a glimpse of a brown sign, as we travel on I thought about that sign and made my decision and asked my husband to turn around."

    "There are still signs up showing tent camping, but they are apparently inaccurate. We had a great time and he welcomed us to stick around and hang out for the day, but no more camping."

    6. Natural Dam

    5 Reviews
    Natural Dam, AR
    33 miles
    Website

    "We found this quiet spot with a small waterfall on Mountain Fork Creek that has a fairly large (semi-level) gravel parking lot right next to the natural waterfall which gives good noise cover for the road"

    "A little road noise off in the distance but the waterfall all but drowned it out."

    7. Miracle Mountain Homestead

    Be the first to review!
    Winslow, AR
    25 miles
    +1 (479) 435-5900

    $50 - $60 / night

    8. Jackson Bay Recreation Area

    3 Reviews
    Fort Gibson Lake, OK
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 682-4314

    "Only drawback I wish there were trash cans or even just a big dumpster. The water was gorgeous and the site was peaceful."

    "Beautiful view over the lake at sunrise!"

    9. Eagles Point — Tenkiller State Park

    3 Reviews
    Monroe Lake, IN
    43 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 776-8180

    "The plus to that is despite busy holiday weekends, spring flooding or special event weekends, you can always find a place to pitch a tent. The park rangers are friendly."

    "The sites are well spaced and the lake is fantastic. The facility is clean and there is plenty of hiking opportunities. I come back over and over again."

    10. Sequoyah Bay State Park Campground — Sequoyah Bay State Park

    2 Reviews
    Fort Gibson Lake, OK
    42 miles
    Website
    +1 (918) 772-2046

    "We did see some sites near the water that looked tricky to get into, but you’d be right by the water, so that’s the trade off, I guess. The host was friendly and helpful, dump sites easy to manage."

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Tent Camping Reviews near Watts, OK

837 Reviews of 25 Watts Campgrounds


  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2019

    Devil's Den State Park Campground

    Ranger Review of Banner & Oaks Bull Tan Hat at Devil's Den State Park

    Amazing State Park with something for everyone

    I have been to Devil's Den State Park twice now and this is my favorite state park in Arkansas. Devil's Den State park has something for every camper, no matter how you prefer to camp. Tent camping, hike in camping, RVs, cabins, they have it all. Want to bring your horse, you can do that as well. Devil's Den has some great hiking and mountain biking trails, from short to long. If you only do one trail be sure that is the Devil's Den Trail, you won't be disappointed on this 1.5 mile trail. If you want a longer trail there is the 15 mile Butterfield Hiking Trail. Devil's Den campground includes 135 campsites ranging from basic tent sites to full hookups for the RV crowed and horse sites. Campground are all paved with paved parking pads. Individual sites have tent pads, picnic tables, fire rings and a first for me, hooks for hanging your lantern. Flush toilets and showers are included. If you like to swim they even have a pool. Park has a store to provide your food needs. Sites all appeared to be well spaced. If you want complete privacy the word is get one of the walk in sites, you will have a bit of a walk but the reward is complete solitude. Lee Creek runs through the park and a 8-acre lake which allows fishing and boating with canoes and pedal boats. You need to reserve your site before hand or at the visitor center. One thing I do like is if you arrive to late to register at the visitor center, then you can just grab an empty site for the night, you just have to register the next day by 10am.

    Ranger Review of Banner& Oaks Bull Tan Hat

    Got the Bull Tan hat and have been wearing it for about a month now. Hat fits great, looks great. This is a very well made hat with quality materials and made in the U.S.A. It has held up amazing well in all weather conditions, sun, heat, rain and even snow and continues to hold its shape. I have a lot of hats and this one is one of my favorites.

  • Matt S.
    Jul. 23, 2017

    Lost Bridge South

    Stay at South Bridge for Lakeside camping and beautiful scenerey

    I really like Lost Bridge South and Lost Bridge North. They are on the banks of Beaver Lake and are beautiful. The only downside is both campgrounds are built on the slopes of a hill. The RV and camper pads are level with asphalt, but to pitch a tent can be a bit tricky to find level ground.

    Personally I do not like pitching my tent on concrete or rock pads, I prefer good old grass and dirt. Both my tent and my back last a little bit longer when on soft ground versus rocks.

    The facilities were clean nice. The showers and bathrooms were pretty good. The only problem was there were no soap dispensers, so bring your own if you like clean hands.

    This is a solid four star campground. I highly recommend getting a campsite next to the lake. We had a lot of fun with some great views.

  • Fred S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 17, 2024

    Shores Lake

    Quiet stay in a hardwood forest

    Camped in site #10 in mid-November 2024. Site 10 is non-electric; paid $7.50/night with senior pass. Overall clean campground, well maintained and managed, in pretty hardwood forest. Not busy during my stay. Sites have picnic tables, tent pads and clean metal fire rings. Site 10 was level. The campground includes a clean restroom/shower house, one clean vault toilet at the far end of the campground, trash dumpsters and drinking water; all of these facilities and services were available during my stay in November. Campground can accommodate tents, camper vans, car camping and RVs. Some sites are electric. There are no water and sewer hookups. Campground road is paved as well as Highway 215 from I-40 accessing the campground. Sites are mostly shaded, but there is no privacy between sites. Shores Lake trailhead is located in a parking area in the campground. Day use area nearby with good fishing in Shores Lake. Campground hosts Donna and Eddie were wonderful. I really liked this campground.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    Gopher Valley - Twin Bridges — Grand Lake State Park

    Pleasant RV/Tent campground

    Gopher Valley campground in on of several campground in the Twin Bridges area of Grand Lake State Park.  This campground is fully paved with both full hook up RV camping area, tent camping area and areas that work for both.  Campground have drive through and pull in sites.  Sites all have picnic tables and metal fire rings.  Campground has a large pavilion which can be rented.  The pavilion has a huge BBQ grill.  Campground has a small playground for the kids.  Small restroom with showers is available.  With the exception of the RV pull through sites all the other sites have plenty of grass to set up a tent.  Sites can be reserved.

  • M
    Mar. 6, 2022

    Lost Bridge North

    Off Season Perfection

    Visited here in early spring and were spoiled with amazing lake views and not many neighbors. When the trees leaf out I’m guessing you still would have good privacy. No water hook ups at the site (if you need to fill your tank the water next to vault toilet by the lake is the most flat) but 30 amp hook up made it very comfortable. Large concrete picnic tables and fire rings (some also have grills) at each site. Close enough to Bentonville to spend a day in town or exploring Crystal Bridges!

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    Eagle Bluff - Twin Bridges — Grand Lake State Park

    Tent camping with covered picnic tables

    Eagle Bluff campground has both RV and tent camping spots.  Drive in sites have electrical, picnic tables, metal fire rings, BBQ grills and paved parking pads.  The nice part of this campground is the undeveloped camping area for those tent campers, the sites while close together have Shelters over most of the sites picnic tables as well as BBQ grills.  Sites with electricity have plenty of room for setting up tents.  Campground has a new playground for the kids.  Rest room has showers as well.  Horseshoe pits and a basketball hoop are also available.  Sites can be reserved.  A Pavilion is available.

  • Heather P.The Dyrt PRO User
    May. 19, 2018

    Natural Falls State Park Campground

    Where the Red Fern Grows

    This State Park is best known for the filming of the movie Where the Red Fern Grows and it's understandable why. The falls and the trails/nature walks are beautiful. Very easy hiking/walking with a nice reward on views of the falls and river/stream.

    Now the camping. There is an RV area and a Tent only area. When we arrived (Oct) the RV area was pretty filled up and we prefer less neighbors, plus we were tent camping. So off to the Tent camping area. The sites were nice and level but no real break up/divide between sites. Luckily there was only 2 other Tent campers when we showed up so we chose the opposite side of the area. There were fire rings, grills and cement picnic tables.

    There are full facilities and the camp host does a great job keeping them maintained and also checking in on all the campers/RV'rs.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 17, 2018

    Devil's Den State Park Campground

    Back country review - Butterfield Trail

    This review is for the Butterfield Trail in Devils Den. You have to hike in to get to theses spots. If you start at the traditional Devils Den and park at the pedestrian bridge you have a nice challenging hike up to the back country portion of the park. You start hiking along a river and after a mile or so you start your upward journey. The trail is generally in good shape but if it has been raining, beware as some of the trail is also used for horses which makes the trail sometimes tough to make it through as it gets pretty mushy. My favorite spot is about halfway through right on a river that flows a blueish color that doesn't make you want to even filter and drink the water. The spots are level and secluded but you sometimes find trash as people don't abide by the leave no trace principle. I bring all my own water on the trail but there are a few spots you can filter. We have found many snakes here and some are poisonous. BEWARE! The geography has is pretty unique and flash flooding is common. Be very aware of your surroundings and watch the river if you are in a rain storm. You must check in at the ranger's station before you do any back country camping in the park. The trail is a pleasant longer trail in the area and is a must but I would recommend trying this trail in the Spring or late fall.


Guide to Watts

Tent camping near Watts, Oklahoma centers on the Illinois River watershed, where limestone bedrock creates clear water conditions in streams and small tributaries. The region's topography features rolling hills at approximately 900-1,200 feet elevation with significant seasonal temperature variations. Summer tent camping often requires preparation for nighttime temperature drops of 15-20 degrees compared to daytime highs.

What to do

Swimming and wading access: Flint Creek offers a natural waterfall visible from the highway, with varied water depths suitable for different swimming abilities. According to camper Shelby C., "there is a gorgeous little natural waterfall right under the highway so you can see when you drive by."

Boat access fishing: Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area provides direct river access for anglers. Visitors note the area is "a bird watcher's paradise, and we saw a lot of people fishing. There is a boat access area as well," according to Rachel R. The site requires 4WD access during wet conditions.

Kayaking and paddling: Natural Dam offers calm water sections suitable for beginners. "The scenery here is really beautiful," reports Ferrason A. The waterfall creates both calm and moving water sections suitable for different skill levels.

What campers like

Morning waterfall views: Natural Dam campers appreciate the morning fog effects. James F. notes, "It was chilly in the morning, so the fog off the waterfall was eerily gorgeous." Sites near the waterfall provide natural white noise that masks road sounds.

Family-friendly swimming holes: Flint Creek features graduated water depths appropriate for children. Stephen R. shares, "They have a nice, Expansive swimming and wading area all along the creek. There are deep pools and shallow wading areas to fit all ages and abilities."

Bird watching opportunities: Sites along the Illinois River offer wildlife viewing without crowds. Horseshoe Bend provides habitat for "multiple species of Oklahoma's woodpeckers, some birds of prey, and many songbirds," according to Rachel R.

What you should know

Camping status changes: Regulations change frequently at primitive sites. At Horseshoe Bend, Rachel R. explains, "We did camp there in a tent for one night, but were politely told by a game warden the next day that, though it used to be open for that, it is no longer allowed."

Road conditions: Access roads deteriorate quickly after rainfall. "Dirt road was rough, but a camaro managed to get through somehow the morning we left," notes Sydnee L. about Horseshoe Bend. Check weather forecasts before committing to remote sites.

Limited facilities: Jackson Bay Recreation Area offers free camping but minimal amenities. "No amenities, but it's well taken care of. Some spots have grills and picnic tables," reports Katharina D. The 14-day stay limit makes this suitable for longer visits.

Tips for camping with families

Creek wading areas: Sites with graduated water depths work best for mixed-age groups. At Flint Creek, Stephen R. found "The park is clean and spacious. The bathrooms are only port-a-johns but they work. We loved it when we went our friends and their kids."

Wildlife viewing opportunities: Eagles Point offers diverse animal sightings around Lake Tenkiller. "Water and shade are never far. It has a marina a boat dock a floating restaurant a volleyball court hiking trails," notes Phaedra M., though she warns "be aware rattlesnakes also enjoy the area."

Calm water access: Look for protected bays and inlets for safer water play. Lake Tenkiller provides "sites near the water that looked tricky to get into, but you'd be right by the water, so that's the trade off," according to Christopher A.

Tips from RVers

Leveling challenges: Sequoyah Bay State Park offers angled sites that improve privacy. Christopher A. reports, "This campground has easy, level sites at a nice angle, so you aren't facing right at the back of someone else's trailer."

Limited water hookups: Many sites around Watts require self-contained water supplies. Bring filled tanks to most primitive locations, as drinking water is unavailable at most riverside campgrounds.

Privacy considerations: Highwater Camp provides more secluded options than other public areas. Joshua D. shares, "You will enjoy the privacy compared to other campgrounds in the area that have large crowds. Book early as it fill up fast and they do not offer more than one or two spaces per day."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Watts, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Watts, OK is Flint Creek with a 4.3-star rating from 3 reviews.

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

TheDyrt.com has all 25 tent camping locations near Watts, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.