Camping near Wister, Oklahoma includes sites scattered across the foothills where the Sans Bois Mountains meet the Ouachita Mountain range at elevations ranging from 500-2,000 feet. The surrounding Ouachita National Forest contains over 1.8 million acres of mixed pine and hardwood forests. Winter camping requires preparation for temperatures that regularly drop below 30°F, while summer humidity often exceeds 80% even when temperatures moderate.
What to do
Hiking trail options: Cedar Lake Recreation Area features a 3-mile trail that circles the entire lake. According to a visitor, "Hiking here is definitely the best, because the views are amazing!! The campground is always really well kept as well which I appreciate." Another camper noted that "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."
Historical exploration: Heavener Runestone Park offers a unique combination of camping and historical exploration. "The history around the Runestone is so interesting, the kids loved hearing about the Vikings. The hiking was beautiful and just challenging enough to be fun while accessible for little kids," noted one reviewer. Another visitor mentioned, "Really cool trek down to the runestone, but would highly recommend good walking shoes or boots, for it's a steep, rocky path with lots of small, deep steps."
Scenic driving access: Winding Stair Campground provides direct access to the Talimena Scenic Drive. "From the campground you can easily access the scenic point which additionally has more picnic tables with a view, definitely suggest checking it out!!" One camper observed, "Driving from Mena to Talihina along this stretch of highway is a treat when it comes to the spectacular views."
What campers like
Pine forest immersion: Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground receives high marks for its forest environment. One reviewer writes, "This campground is heavily forested with pine trees and there are some sites right off the lake." Another camper shared, "Clean site, right in the national forest. At the time we went they had a camp host that met you, took you to your site, and checked in on us several times during our three night stay."
Spacious campsites: Wards Campground at Lake Wister offers more space between sites than other areas in the park. A reviewer noted, "Ward landing isn't as cramped as Victor landing which is why we like it, but it doesn't have sewer connections most of the sites at Victor landing do." Another camper added, "The sites themselves are standard and decently spaced out. They come with a grill/fire pit and a table."
Wildlife viewing: Dead Man Gap provides opportunities to observe native wildlife in their natural habitat. "Saw a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes," reported one camper at a nearby site. At Victor Campground, a visitor mentioned, "Birdwatching is pretty good. Check out Spiro Mounds and Heavener Runestone, less than an hour's drive from Wister Lake."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds operate on limited schedules or close for maintenance. At Cedar Lake North Shore, a camper warned, "Cedar Lake is going to be closed for few weeks during Fall of 2019 for maintenance and repairs. I would be sure and call office before traveling there in hopes of camping!" Similarly, another camper reported about Winding Stair: "After driving 4 hours to one of our favorite campsites in this area we arrived to find it closed until May 2025. No explanation why."
Reservation processes: Victor Campground and other Lake Wister sites require online reservations, which can be confusing. One camper at a nearby campground advised, "There is a sign at the entrance that you must make a reservation online. Confirmed by the host at the entrance. The website is not super easy to use on a phone."
Water considerations: Many dispersed camping areas lack reliable water sources. At Dead Man Gap, a camper reported, "Stayed here in early November the creek was dry but beautiful." Another noted, "As most have said the main site that this link takes you to is up hill some ways from a creek that runs quite a way through the area snaking around and getting to various fill levels depending on recent weather."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Heavener Runestone Park has family-friendly sites near play areas. A family camper advised, "The playground was really fun and right by site 1. It's a big site so we put four tents and 15 people on that site comfortably, it also has a covered pavilion which helped us in the rain and a brief storm." Another visitor mentioned, "We needed to stop on our trip across country...i suggest getting there then choosing your own spot since there is a kids playground right next to the campground."
Safety considerations: When choosing sites at Heavener, safety matters. "Out of the three cliff tent sites I would say only 1 was safe for kids, 2 and 3 were too close to the cliff (beautiful views though)," reported a family of campers. At Winding Stair Campground, a solo camper noted, "The site felt really safe for me as a first time solo camper, and the scenery was beautiful."
Seasonal family experiences: Winter camping offers a different experience for families. A camper at Cedar Lake shared, "This is our all time favorite camping spot. 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." At Heavener Runestone, another visitor noted, "We stayed here for one night in late December. It was a Sunday and we had the whole campground to ourselves."
Tips from RVers
Site selection cautions: Quarry Island Campground requires careful site selection. "There were 5 RV sites with full hook ups on isle, even though #4 and # 5 are so close to each other that slide outs could bump into each other," warned one RVer. At Victor Campground, an RVer cautioned, "Our RV is 35 FT long and while it's rated for this length it was a little difficult to back into, because of surrounding trees."
Pad and hookup details: RV campers note variations in site quality. "The concrete pad was perfectly level and took no time to set up," reported an RVer at Quarry Island. At Talimena State Park, a camper mentioned, "Full RV hook ups (30 amp). Also has area for primitive camping. Direct access to miles of hiking trails."
Noise considerations: Highway proximity affects some RV sites. At Talimena State Park, a visitor observed, "The RV campsites are against the highway and although you can't see it, you can certainly hear it. It's not an interstate though and the traffic does die down at night."
