Camp Doris

Doris CG, Wichita Mnts, OK: This park was a pleasant surprise. The hiking was splendid and much better than expected. The visitor center deserves at least an hour of time. Fabulous. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good

(71 yr olds in 17’ trailer.)

Overall Rating: 4 for the scenery, and bathroom cleanliness. General layout of campsites is a bit of a minus.
Price 2023: $ 11 for non electric w interagency pass

Security: Not at night Usage during visit: Full during spring break Site Privacy: Open sites. Some back up to each other. Our site, 9 backs up to #7. Site Spacing: varies - the map in photos is pretty representative Pad surface: blacktop Reservations: Yes Campground Noise: A bit noisy during this spring break week. Outside Road Noise: None. Some campsites back up towards the campground access road. I would rather have one of these sites than any inner loop site I saw. Through Traffic in campground: No Electric Hookup: E loop Sewer Hookup: No Dump Station: Yes Potable Water Available: Yes, near the pit toilets.
Generators: Allowed Bathroom: New and clean pit toilets in most loops . Whoever cleans the pit toilets has high cleanliness standards. . . E-loop has flush toilets. The sinks and toilets were very clean . Showers: Near E Loop. Fairly clean after a busy weekend. Pull Throughs: I didn’t see any Cell Service (AT&T): No bars at Campground. 2 bars outside of visitor center Setting: In an oak Forest. Recent Weather: 70s downtown 30s Solar: Yes, but when trees leaf out, the solar will still be available in most sites but not as great.
Host: Not in all loops Rig Size: E loop has some larger rigs. Sites: I don’t particularly like the sites on the inside of the loops. Water view sites are circled on the map. I would be happy with these. Best sites in Loop A: 1, 2, 5, 10, 11, 13, 15. E63 is the only site I liked in the electric loop. A 7&9 are not good sites as far as privacy from each other.

Very nice national park. Very clean. Lots of animals to see. Gentlemen at the gate was very knowledgeable and had all of the information about the park.

Doris Campground is a cool little campground nestled in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. There are multiple areas to camp at Doris. The easiest way to reserve a site is to goto Recreation.gov and book online (This may be the only way, a lot about the booking process has changed in the last few years) There are two main campground areas with decently spaced but also high site density just past the information hut / entrance to the campground. A is immediately on the right after the entrance, it's a non electric loop and I believe (C?) is on the left just after the A loop with a loop of electric sites. There are also primitive campsites for tents further down the road and lake sites, as well as some more isolated sites spread throughout the campground and group camping areas. There are quite a few trees in the campground, but you can also see the sky fairly well. There are restroom buildings scattered throughout the campground and several shower areas. The campsites are almost all back in if you have a rig. There is zero cell phone reception, even with a booster. Many of the rig campsites have some sort of bench / picnic table and fire rings. There is a ton of wildlife in the area, and it is very peaceful.

Doris campgrounds are only open for RV campers due to covid so I couldn’t stay. Mount Scott had some pretty awesome views and I hiked the trail across the road from it by the bathrooms. There is a gate and a path beside it made from vehicle wheels. You can hike pretty far. There are several spots where you cross a creek which was good for my dogs or I think they would have died by the way they were panting lol. It was 91 degrees when I hiked it. Take 2 water bottles for yourself if it’s hot out! The trail ends at a beautiful lake with the mountain in the distance. I walked down to the lake so the dogs could cool off and drink for a while. Def loved taking it all in. There’s cattle but they didn’t mind us one bit.

I did see camping in town right before the blue water towers, along the river/creek there are tent camping spots and a lot of people were fishing. It’s just over the bridge and you can miss it. It’s not on the app so thought I would mention it in my review and added some pics of that area!

Of course, Covid 19 has forced many places to make adjustments, and this is a trying time for all. That being said, this camp is inconsistent with its information online, on this app, and in person. Many amenities and even basic entry had conflicting information, and we were turned away after driving so far to get there. The maps they gave us were also unclear and poorly labeled. The park is beautiful and a must-see, but I’d feel better avoiding this site entirely.

Inside the wildlife preserve there are not a lot of camping options as the attempt to keep the wildlife wild is the primary focus. However if you are looking to stay inside the area, you will want to check out Doris Campground, located centrally in the property. 

Camping options at Doris vary with both primitive and improved options. 47 sites without electricity offer only shaded retreat, regular sized pull ins and basic amenities with picnic tables and fire rings. However the improved sites offer electricity and larger pull ins for mid to large sized RV units. There is an additional set of camping options which are hike in style sites with a common parking area, these are a little harder to get to as the area is overgrown. 

Sites range in price points from$12 to$24 and all have access to common spigots and restrooms. 

One restroom is a bit more updated but offers only restrooms no showers while the less updated offers showers but is a bit creepy. 

Something you will want to be mindful of staying at this site is wildlife. While many campgrounds often experience a wild animal or two, the raccoons here are quite menacing and snakes are very common. 

If you do decide to come out to the Wichita Mountains, I suggest checking out some of the many hiking options and view points. The tower trail is a great one for views of the lake and terrain with minimal challenge and only some slightly uneven spaces from weathering and wash. Mount Scott is the highest point in the park and can be accessed through an invigorating hike to the top or through the scenic drive which features several pull offs and a parking area at the top. 

Prairie Dog town is one of the more unique features of the park with dozens of colonies visible from several view points and pull offs. Being able to see the critters up close and personal will leave you smiling for hours. Walking throughout the preserve are buffalo and longhorns. 

An extremely unique feature is the park’s Holy City, an area which was designated for use in the 20s and at its peak welcomed up to 250,000 people per year to an annual program performed on the hillside. This feature is unique in that it is a rock city constructed on the hillside which includes the story of Christ and also is the home of a chapel modeled after one that George Washington once attended in Virginia. A very unique piece of history.

Good, large sites for tents and RVs. Doris has semi-primitive sites for tents with picnic tables and fire rings as well as electric sites with hookups. Some sites offer a view of Quanah Parker Lake. All sites at Doris are walk in. There is an unmanned Paystation at the entrance but there is also a friendly campground host who lives onsite. Alcohol is prohibited everywhere within the refuge. Please note that at the time of this review (3/2020) there is NO potable water anywhere in the WMWR. An e.coli contamination in 2017 is still not resolved and any an all water is considered unsafe, including all streams and lakes. Bring in your own water, the closest store is at least 30 mins away.

We have stayed at Doris 2 or 3 times over the last few years.  It’s a large site with over 60 campsites that are fairly well spaced out.  Separate RV/powered locations from drive up and walk in campsites.  

Lot’s of great activities in the area:  hiking, climbing, fishing, wildlife and other options.  

My primary complaint of Doris is that it get’s rowdy on the weekends.  On our most recent trip a group of locals pulled in at about 10pm and partied until after 2am then left.  They were not camping at all.

Doris Campground is an okay place to camp.  There are 2 Bath houses in the campground.  the first one by Loop E is more modern but does not have showers.  the second one is by loop C and does have showers but it really needs to be updated.  There are plenty of trees to provide shade in the campground but dont look for firewood on the ground as it appears they keep that picked up. You can purchase bundles of firewood at the entry gate for $5 per bundle.  Each campsite has a fire ring and table and enough parking for 2 vehicles.  This campground in on Federal Land and patrolled by Federal Game Wardens.  While in the area it is recommended to visit Holy City and the unique town of Medicine Park.  Also in Medicine Park there is a Creek that is stocked with Trout from November to March.  There is free roaming Buffalo and Longhorn Cattle so dont be surprised if you see one in the Campground.  There are numerous Lakes in the area to fish or boat in and numerous Hiking trails as well.

A private company owns (I think) and operates the campground. It’s nice and clean with good amenities. It does fill up on weekends quickly. The campground itself isn’t what I go to WMWR for but I’m not at all disappointed by the campground. Lots of trees and wildlife. Bison can and do walk through the campground which unique and pretty amazing.

There’s lots to do in the Refuge like shorter and somewhat long hikes as well as fishing and non-motorized boating. Watching wildlife like the bison and prairie dogs are very entertaining and remarkable. The towns of Meers and Medicine Park have their unique offerings as well. WMWR is a fabulous place to get away for flatlanders....or anyone really.

Buffalo, deer, turkey, and more can be glimpsed here. Nearly Primitive camping in a gorgeous natural setting.

The area is beautifully scenic and you will very likely see plenty of wildlife.  We saw bison, elk and coyotes.  We also enjoyed visiting the nearby town of Medicine Park.

Weekends at WMWR (Wichita Mountains Wildife Refuge)are very popular beginning early in the camping season making it difficult to find open spots by Friday evening. But that doesn’t keep people from trying late into the night.   

The facilities are well maintained and allow anyone to choose very primitive to RV hookup and car/tent camping also.   Always lots of friendly folks to visit and get hiking insights from. Many activities are available in WMWR. Hiking trails can be accessed directly from Doris Campground, or there are numerous other trails in other areas a short drive away. Carry in all your water with bovine (longhorn, buffalo) covering virtually all areas of the refuge. I have visited all months of the year.

We absolutely love camp Doris, because of the amazing wildlife that you see since you’re on a  nature preserve, The campsites and facilities are very well-maintained and clean, with plenty of shade trees, and amazing hiking very close by! From easy to very difficult trails you can see several different ecosystems along the trails.

Great

Staff super chill, lots of sites. Beautiful views of the lake and mountains - if you get a good spot. No reservations, first come first serve. Ice and firewood available to purchase on site. Great place in the midst of the mountains.

We have tent camped and also used our 16 pull behind camper at an electric site. Campsites are on a first come first serve basis here. We love how quiet and clean the campgrounds always is, and the wildlife running through the campgrounds is incredible! Perfect place for families!

This place is very well maintained and so close to all the trails in Wichita Mountains. Just started doing more outdoor activities and this was the first campground in the area I went to. Highly recommend visiting this place and checking out the Bison Trail

The campgrounds were very well maintained, maps were very easy to navigate! I felt safe setting up my tent and leaving it for the day while our group went out to hike.

From when I was younger I remember going to the Wichita Mountains to see the Holy City and the prairie dog city. It has always been a place of fond memories and a lot of fun for not only myself but the entire family. It wasn’t until more recent years however that I was aware that there was a camping area there right within the wildlife preserve itself.

In the footprint of the mountains this campground welcomes both tent and RV campers looking to enjoy an overnight stay or more lengthy stay.  Primitive camping is available with a park and walk through a short trail or in camp there are both electrical and non-electrical sites with prices ranging for these from $8 to $20.

I noticed that the in campground sites are pretty typical in that they offer both fire rings and picnic tables.  They do have a shower and restroom which is available during non-winter months and other toilets for usage during the cooler months.  They do have drinking water available here which is also nice considering distance to nearest stores.

The best feature of this campground is not the campground itself it is the access you have to the refuge area where you can on any given day see herds of deer, buffalo, long horn cattle, turkey and of course prairie dogs.  A lot of times you will find these wandering around into camp itself.  

The area has become more and more popular for rock climbing and hiking with several people setting up basecamp at this campground.  This campground does have posted closings of gate hours so you cannot explore in the area past these posted times (during summer 10 during week or 11 on weekends).

TIPS:

• Check into the visitor center for lists of guided tours for Bald Eagle spotting and other tours.
• Take a drive up Mount Scott for some of the best views in the area.
• Listen for barking of the Prairie Dogs, this is how they warn one another of people in the area, it is very interesting to hear and if you drive by the sites where you see their mounds, pull off and roll down your windows you can watch and hear them.

Hands down one of my top favorite areas to be in. Loads of wildlife and loads of great trails to hike! Doris is the only campground to stay at if you want to be within the refuge, but there are a couple different campgrounds not too far away if it’s full. The only downside to the refuge as a whole, is they haven’t fixed stuff that has been broken for years. Its almost like they’re just letting it go and it’s sad. I’ve been coming here for years with my family as a kid and now married with my own family and things are still all the exact same. Overall it’s a great place to stay!

I stay regularly in the walk in campsites here. The walk in sites are 40 to a few hundred yards walk from the parking lot. Each campsite has a fire ring and concrete picnic table. Most have tree shade. You'll want to bring firewood and water. Don't expect cell service but there's a good chance you'll see wildlife.

This so far is my absolute favorite place to camp in the northwest region of Oklahoma. At night you can hear elk. There is a variety of sites from RV, tents, and hike in sites. The park has free range elk, buffalo, and longhorn. Absolutely beautiful and has lots of sites but does fill up fast! Even in March and sometimes February!

went there and camped this last weekend . it was a great spot, friendly people, clean and close to everything .

There are 20 rustic sites where campers carry all of their gear in to their site. These sites have a fire ring ans picnic table. Porta pots are near by. There are many sites where you can park and camp. The sites with electric hookups have a clean bathhouse. All of the water is under a boil order. Lakes, hiking trails, and wildlife are near by. there is not cell phone service.

This camp site is one of my favorites. While it is very rustic and the bathrooms left much to be desired, there were animals everywhere, including bison and wild turkeys around camp. Great short hikes around camp and good proximity to town. Sites are basic and have both drive up and walk in sites.

This is one of my favorite campgrounds when I'm looking for quiet, relaxing camping. The sites are well spaced and the campground is always peaceful. There are nice short hiking trails nearby to enjoy as well. I do wish they had a better designated tent pad. Finding a level spot was a little tricky.

My daughter and I tent camp as often as we can at Camp Doris.We brought our dog along this time. Camp sites are always clean and its quite.Lots of hiking to do at camp or nearby.

This campground is great! Sites are nicely spaced and restrooms are clean. It was a little noisy after sundown with some surprisingly loud prairie dog barking! Also a few St. Patrick's Day partiers, but that's to be expected. Hiking in the area is great, but watch for ticks.

Get There early to get a good spot. There are lots up tent camping and electrical hook UPS for RVS. No street lights, a one shower building, no firewood. Firewood is available for purchase plus you must boil the water before you drink it. All the spots are very clean and have grills and fire pits.