Camping options around Woodward, Oklahoma extend beyond the popular state parks into wildlife areas and RV campgrounds. The region sits in the northwestern part of the state at elevations between 1,900-2,400 feet, creating a transition zone between the high plains and prairie lands. Winter camping requires preparation for nighttime temperatures that can drop into the teens, while summer months often bring thunderstorms in late afternoon and early evening.
What to do
Wildlife viewing at Cooper Wildlife Area: Free dispersed camping is available at Hal and Fern Cooper Wildlife Area near Fort Supply Lake. The area offers minimal amenities but provides access to hunting and fishing opportunities.
Cave exploration at Alabaster Caverns: Alabaster Caverns State Park Campground offers tours of its unique alabaster cave formations. "The tour is enjoyable, and 3 species of bat can be seen frequently. All and all a great little park," notes Dusty G. The park has hiking trails that showcase the canyon landscape.
Disc golf at Canton Lake: Big Bend Park features "a very nice, challenging disc golf course beside the campground," according to Terry P. The course provides recreation options beyond water activities.
Sand dune exploration: Little Sahara State Park offers a unique landscape for outdoor enthusiasts. Katie K. describes it as a "hidden treasure" where "you don't get to walk around miles of sandunes every day!" The park attracts off-road vehicle enthusiasts but also accommodates hikers.
What campers like
Shaded campsites: At Spring Hill Campground in Boiling Springs State Park, campers appreciate the tree cover. Jinger L. notes, "You can choose a site with all the amenities (flat concrete slab, water/elec/sewer) or a spot back in the trees."
Lake access: Fort Supply Lake offers multiple camping areas with water access. According to one reviewer, "The main ramp on the northwest side has a floating dock which is a plus for loading the less agile." The lake has several boat ramps positioned to accommodate typical wind patterns.
Dark skies for stargazing: Minimal light pollution in rural Oklahoma creates excellent stargazing conditions. At Alabaster Caverns, Charyle C. notes the area "appears to be a Dark Sky Area with little artificial light, so the night sky was brilliant!"
Well-maintained facilities: Multiple campgrounds receive positive reviews for their upkeep. Kelly B. at Big Bend Park notes it's a "well maintained" Army Corps Engineer campground with "great sites" and "good site spacing."
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Some facilities operate on limited schedules. Big Bend Park is typically open April 1 to October 31, though some reviewers note winter camping is possible without amenities: "A wonderful campground that is free in the winter with no amenities available at that time," reports Rebecca L.
Water safety concerns: At Fort Supply Lake, Ryan S. advises: "Wear water shoes while in the water. Too many gashed feet from broken bottles and freshwater mussel shells."
Insect activity: Beyond mosquitoes, bees can be an issue at some campgrounds. One camper at Fort Supply Lake notes: "Our only complaint which isn't the camps fault is there were so many bees getting in our faces and ears. But when the wind blew they kinda left too."
Weather considerations: Temperature fluctuations can be extreme. Multiple campgrounds report minimal shade in some areas, making summer camping challenging without proper preparation.
Tips for camping with families
Multiple playgrounds: Spring Hill Campground offers several play areas for children. Richard notes, "4 or 5 playgrounds which was fun. The bathroom seemed to be cleaned a few times a day."
Swimming options: Several campgrounds offer swimming areas. At Spring Hill, Anna T. describes "a pool with concessions" among other family-friendly amenities.
Educational opportunities: Cave tours provide learning experiences. At Alabaster Caverns, consider the guided tours which one visitor described as led by "a very knowledgeable guide" who "showed us all the cave features."
Nature observation: Wildlife viewing opportunities abound. Anita B. at Spring Hill notes, "Saw some mule deer wandering through in the morning," providing casual wildlife viewing opportunities for children.
Tips from RVers
Site selection based on activity level: Different areas of the same campground may have different atmospheres. At Fort Supply Lake, Ryan S. advises, "The south end is known for the younger party crowd. So if cornhole, music, and beer is your thing, that's the place to be."
Covered picnic tables: Several campgrounds feature covered tables that provide shade and weather protection. At Big Bend Park, "The picnic tables were all covered," notes one reviewer, making meal preparation more comfortable regardless of weather.
Supply runs: For those needing to restock, "The town of Woodward is about 15 minutes away and has a Walmart, couple each of farm/ranch supply, hardware, and grocery stores," according to Ryan S., making it convenient to get supplies during your stay.
Reservation patterns: N L. observed at Fort Supply Lake: "Even though the park said so many sites were reserved, it was almost empty. I guess people reserve the week to make sure they get a place for weekends?"
