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Camping near Hodgen, OK

142 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.

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    The Ouachita National Forest surrounding Hodgen, Oklahoma provides a range of camping experiences, from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites. Cedar Lake Recreation Area and Winding Stair Campground serve as primary destinations, offering both tent and RV accommodation within the mountainous terrain. Several campgrounds feature hookups for electricity and water, while others maintain a more primitive character with basic amenities. The Talimena Scenic Byway provides access to multiple camping areas throughout the region, connecting visitors to both established facilities and backcountry camping opportunities within national forest boundaries.

    Campers should come prepared with supplies as the nearest towns and services are often 30-45 minutes away. "We stayed in the non-electric sites at Cedar Lake. Campgrounds were incredibly peaceful and quiet. There is running water and bathrooms which were relatively clean," noted one visitor. Road access varies significantly between sites, with some campgrounds requiring navigation on narrow forest roads that may challenge larger RVs or trailers. The region experiences hot, humid summers and mild winters, though elevation changes can affect temperatures. Most campgrounds remain open year-round, but spring and fall typically offer the most comfortable camping conditions. Cell service is limited throughout the area, particularly at Cedar Lake and more remote sites.

    Several visitors highlight the exceptional hiking opportunities as a key draw to the region. The network of trails around Cedar Lake receives particular praise, with a 3-mile lakeside path serving as a popular option for day hikes. Many campgrounds provide direct water access for fishing and kayaking, adding recreational value beyond the camping experience itself. The dense pine forests create natural privacy between campsites at most locations, enhancing the sense of seclusion. A camper wrote, "Beautiful and lush and QUIET. Clean bathrooms. Water and electric only. Gorgeous 3 mile hike around the lake." While weekends can bring more visitors, particularly during summer months, the campgrounds rarely feel overcrowded. Wildlife sightings, including wild turkeys and various bird species, are commonly reported by campers throughout the area.

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    Best Campgrounds near Hodgen (142)

    Filters    Tent onlyRVDispersedCabinGlampingPetsEquestrian

      1. Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)

      4.9(13)7mi from Hodgen117 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We completed this campout with another family and this is our favorite campout in Oklahoma. The large pines, the facilities and the hiking is wonderful. Cedar lake is beautiful."

      "we took a group of Trail Life boys there and we had a good time. There are plenty of good trails near by and we used Cedar Lake as our basecamp."

      from $15 - $40 / night

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      2. Winding Stair Campground (Ok) — Ouachita National Forest

      4.6(13)9mi from Hodgen25 sitesRVs, Tents

      "If you plopped me into this camp I wouldn’t have guessed I was in Oklahoma."

      "Driving from Mena to Talihina along this stretch of highway is a treat when it comes to the spectacular views.  "

      from $3 - $14 / night

      3. Heavener Runestone Park

      4.9(9)5mi from Hodgen14 sitesRVs, Tents

      "We stopped to see the runestone on our way back home from camping at Lake Wister. Wooded and clean, with a small gift shop (closed when we got there)."

      "Totally worth the drive from Tulsa. The park is beautiful and secluded, very clean and well kept. It has some really fun little themed touches in keeping with the Viking Runestone."

      from $15 - $20 / night

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      4. Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground

      4.8(6)6mi from HodgenRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "This was mine and my mom's favorite place to camp in Oklahoma. The campground is heavily forested with pine trees and there are some sites right off the lake."

      "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."

      from $10 - $23 / night

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      5. Queen Wilhelmina State Park — Queen Wihelmina State Park

      3.7(19)18mi from HodgenRVs, Tents, Cabins, Glamping

      "The lodge is a pretty short walk up hill. It has a restaurant and small gift shop. It also has a lookout, and two trailheads. The lobby is spacious with a great view."

      "Driving through this part of Arkansas you can quickly get taken aback by the winding roads the ample beauty, but until you visit the campground and park you will only have a portion of the beauty of the"

      from $23 / night

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      6. Talimena Scenic Drive

      4.4(5)9mi from Hodgen

      "From the Scenic Drive, go down forest road 6014, just near horse leaf Springs and about a 1/2 a mile down the road. There will be a crossing road that has dispersed camping on both sides of it."

      "This is an awesome place the drive is well worth it too as long as you don’t catch fog like we did you couldn’t see 2ft in front of your car it was crazy how bad it was I hadn’t ever seen anything like"

      7. Victor Campground — Lake Wister State Park

      4.2(6)11mi from HodgenRVs, Tents, Cabins

      "However, 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. the view was right on the water edge. sunrise and sunset was great"

      "Very nice lake views. Birdwatching is pretty good. Check out Spiro Mounds and Heavener Runestone, less than an hour's drive from Wister Lake."

      Check Availability

      8. Billy Creek

      4.3(7)12mi from HodgenRVs, Tents

      "This was such a cool place and a perfect distance away from everything. There were plenty of options for camping spots but also plenty of people there that you don’t feel completely alone."

      "There was a easy and short little trail down to the river and lots of large rocks to hang out on.  The campsite has tons of big trees.  Each site has a fire ring, picnic table and grill. "

      Check Availability

      9. Dead Man Gap Dispersed Campsite

      4.3(9)15mi from Hodgen

      "Go another 40 ish yards and there is the end of the side ‘road’/stone path and you’ll find the site we stayed at.
      There is a great fire pit and a well established site."

      "First time in the Ouachita national forest and we found a most excellent spot next to Lillard Creek off of 6010 Deadmans trail Rd. Would recommend a 4wd vehicle."

      10. Quarry Island Campground — Lake Wister State Park

      4.0(4)9mi from HodgenRVs, Tents

      "We really enjoy Lake Wister. It is never overcrowded."

      "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, and 2 very nice RV sites with only water and electric on"

      from $16 - $29 / night

      Check Availability
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    Drive Time

    Recent Camping Photos near Hodgen, OK

    105 Photos of 142 Hodgen Campgrounds

    Recent Reviews near Hodgen, OK

    406 Reviews of 142 Hodgen Campgrounds

    • KThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 26, 2026

      Clear Creek - Ozark Lake (AR)

      Beautiful and quiet

      Small, charming, green campground with specious sites. Fantastic view of the water.

    • H
      Jun. 24, 2026

      Acorn Campground — Beavers Bend State Park

      Acorn campground on river!

      We spent the night at Acorn Campground, spot 5, in June. Hot but shaded. Space by the river. There was a grill, a fire pit, and a picnic table. It was easy to find our campground in Beavers Bend State Park. The heritage building is a good landmark. Loud Sirens went off twice during the day. When in the camper, though, they sounded quieter, and you could probably sleep through it. Sirens are to let you know to get out of the water because they are releasing water from dam. Can't swim in the river by our campground, but there is a swimming area to the north. This campground is on the lower level of the river, but there was no need to panic or move to higher ground when the sirens went off, even though it had been raining on and off as well. I’d been a little worried about flooding after reading about the 2015 flood, but the river remained beautiful and tranquil, offering us a stunning view—and even a playful sighting of deer paddling in the water. We left some trash on the campsite hook, only to find it scattered when we woke up. While picking up the trash, I noticed animal prints on our truck and camper. I went to the trash site to dump the trash, and a raccoon was staring at me when I opened the lid. The park staff assured us raccoons are common in the trash, so get ready to be startled. Watch out for poison ivy near the electrical outlets—bring calamine lotion—and note that mosquitoes, spiders, ants, and ticks are present, so pack accordingly. Didn't see snakes. A leaf blower is handy for cleaning off the RV pad. Gravel around the cement pad would have been nice because when it rains, it gets muddy, and there is poison ivy in the areas where you will need to hook up the RV to the electrical. Our spot was steps away from clean, air-conditioned bathrooms and showers. There were regular bugs in them, but not too many. The nicest bathroom for a campsite that I have been in. The park staff was welcoming, and there’s plenty to do—hiking trails, canoe or paddleboat rentals, and even a train ride, which I highly recommend if you love deer, as they’re abundant. You can buy ice at the train station too. Pack a life vest if traveling with kids, and if they want to experience water activities. We had reliable AT&T cell service throughout the park, so I was able to use Apple and Google Maps wherever we went. However, printed maps as well, and picked up a map from the heritage center. It’s a memorable spot for nature lovers and adventurers alike. It was peaceful.

    • DThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 23, 2026

      Brushy Lake State Park Campground

      Great spot

      Loved it. Quiet, friendly. Sign in with host. No envelopes. Online now but still buggy. Can't beat the rate. We'll be back.

    • J
      Jun. 21, 2026

      Lakeside RV Park

      Quaint and friendly

      We have stayed here on and off over a year - and there’s a reason we keep coming back. It’s quaint and friendly. Tim (the owner) is hilarious and so helpful.

    • Almost H.
      Jun. 15, 2026

      Talimena Scenic Drive

      It is Dang Near Perfect!

      Van: Promaster 3500 159 Ext

      Company: Dog

      Spot comes up on you Fast when driving: Tip if you come from Talihini: You'll see a very clear road on your LEFT (Another Spot) slow down and look on your Right. You'll see the Tree Pattern & the fire pit in the Pictures Posted

      Road into Site: Slightly Rocky but w/ Quality Tires No Issue

      Privacy Level: Medium-High (You'll see the road but I'd say 1-2 cars drove by every 3-4 hours and could hardly hear them.) The spot comes up so fast also that if you aren't looking for it you probably don't even notice anyone there.

      Pros: 2 Man Made Fire Pits, Van Accessible. The view is good but it's not grand. For a free remote camping spot though, a perfect add-on. Mosquito Activity is almost non-existent.

      Cons: Gnats were pretty consistent but it was Ticks that cut it short for us. Found 2 on me back to back: made an effort from that point on to be more aware: went to the restroom within 30 seconds, I had another one crawling up my leg. God knows how many are on the Dog 🐕 🫠

      Recommended: 8/10. Eye shot of the Road is Nice: B/c if it starts raining the road in can get mucky but it did its jobs w/o issue.

    • BThe Dyrt PRO User
      Jun. 1, 2026

      Clayton Lake State Park Campground

      Nice out of the way park

      Stayed in on of the primitive cabins by the water and had the entire campground to myself.

    • BThe Dyrt PRO User
      May. 26, 2026

      Queen Wilhelmina State Park — Queen Wihelmina State Park

      Ants and Flys

      The campground is beautiful and lots of trails to walk and a vintage train ride that takes you around the park. Nice lodge at the top of the hill with a store and restaurant. WiFi is decent and bathrooms are kept clean. Recommend hiking the lovers leap trail for a good scenic view. Not matter how clean I tried to keep my campsite, Ants and Flys are around the RV spots.

    • H
      May. 21, 2026

      Turner Creek Road

      Great spot! Be cautious of ticks.

      Great camping spot, very peaceful, and private. Be mindful for ticks. Within the first hour found a lone star tick in front of my tent. Grateful I brought spray for my gear and my body.

    Guide to Hodgen

    Camping sites near Hodgen, Oklahoma sit within the Ouachita National Forest at elevations between 500-2,500 feet, creating distinct microclimates across the region. The forest consists primarily of shortleaf pine and various hardwoods, with rocky outcroppings and creek valleys defining the terrain. Trail access varies seasonally, with some forest roads requiring high-clearance vehicles after heavy rainfall.

    What to do

    Creek exploration: Fish or paddle in multiple waterways across the area's camping locations. At Cedar Lake, visitors can enjoy lakeside activities with convenient access. "We brought our kayaks and had so much fun hitting the lake in the morning. It does get busy as the day goes on, especially in the summer on the weekends," notes a camper at Cedar Lake.

    Hiking: Follow well-marked routes ranging from flat lakeside paths to challenging mountain trails. The Boardstand Trail near Dead Man Gap offers a complete loop experience. One visitor shares: "There's an awesome trail a little north of camp called Boardstand trail, take it east and you can follow it to 8554 Red Bank, follow it south to Ouachita Trail, then follow it west until you reach Talimena Scenic drive...It's a good 6 mile hike that will get your heart going." Dead Man Gap provides access to multiple trail connections.

    Historical sites: Explore unique landmarks within driving distance of local campgrounds. The Heavener Runestone Park offers a distinctive 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," reports a visitor to Heavener Runestone Park.

    What campers like

    Privacy between campsites: Many campgrounds in the Hodgen area feature natural separation between sites. At Cedar Lake North Shore, "The campsite spots themselves are pretty big in size and are separated by trees and bushes. Feels very private. They do have a quiet hour which is after 10pm." This natural separation enhances the camping experience at Cedar Lake Equestrian Campground.

    Wildlife viewing opportunities: The area supports diverse animal populations visible from campsites. One camper at Cedar Lake reported: "Saw a ton of wild turkeys and two cottonmouth snakes." Birdwatchers find particular value in winter camping at Lake Wister: "Very pretty campground, clean and relatively quiet this time of year. A very few campers here the week of Christmas. Firewood available at the camp host site. Very nice lake views. Birdwatching is pretty good."

    Year-round accessibility: Most campgrounds remain open through all seasons with varying conditions. At Billy Creek Recreation Area, a camper noted: "We camped at Billy Creek in March 2019. We were the only ones there which made it fabulous! We set up camp right above the river and got to hear the river going over the rocks the whole time." Winter camping provides solitude at many locations throughout the Ouachita National Forest.

    What you should know

    Bathroom facilities vary significantly: Vault toilets are common at primitive sites, while improved campgrounds offer varied facilities. At Winding Stair Campground, a visitor observed: "Restrooms and showers were spectacular. Everything was clean and well kept." However, not all campgrounds maintain the same standards.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What camping is available near Hodgen, OK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, Hodgen, OK offers a wide range of camping options, with 142 campgrounds and RV parks near Hodgen, OK and 20 free dispersed camping spots.

    Which is the most popular campground near Hodgen, OK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Hodgen, OK is Cedar Lake (Oklahoma) with a 4.9-star rating from 13 reviews.

    Where can I find free dispersed camping near Hodgen, OK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 free dispersed camping spots near Hodgen, OK.

    What parks are near Hodgen, OK?

    According to TheDyrt.com, there are 34 parks near Hodgen, OK that allow camping, notably Pine Creek Lake and John Paul Hammerschmidt Lake.

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