Camping cabins in Oklahoma are the charming alternative to a tent or a yurt. It's easy to find a Oklahoma cabin with the Dyrt. Whether you're looking for a quiet location in the woods or a full-service RV resort near attractions, The Dyrt makes it easy to find the perfect camping cabin.
Situated in the hills and forests of southeast Oklahoma’s San Bois Mountains, Robbers Cave State Park has a history almost as exciting as the scenery and activities it offers. The park earned notoriety in the early part of the 20th century as a hideout for outlaws including Jesse James and Belle Starr. While the park recognizes this fame, today the park’s draw is as a family-friendly destination offering luxurious Robbers Cave cabins and campsites. Campers can stay at 22 modern RV sites with full hookups, 67 sites with water and electric hookups, and 86 primitive camping along secluded trails. For those looking for a more cozy stay, the 26 Robbers Cave cabins offer stunning park views, as well as a full kitchen, a fireplace, television and a full bathroom (these make for a reliable stay at the park depending on the weather in Wilburton, OK). Once you’ve settled into your stay, you’ll find countless activities in the park, enough to make you come back to do it all. There’s miles of hiking, biking and equestrian trails, swimming, fishing and paddling at the park’s three reservoirs and numerous creeks, rock climbing/rappelling, and guided tours through the historic sites that once hid outlaws from law enforcement.
$32 / night
Beavers Bend State Park is located in the mountainous region of southeast Oklahoma along the shores of Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River. Guests traveling down the winding roads through the forests of pine and hardwood trees will find adventure, beautiful scenery and plenty of activities inside this state park. The scenic beauty of Beavers Bend State Park makes it one of Oklahoma's most popular areas.
Towering timbers, crystal clear waters and rugged terrain make this state park an outdoor lover's paradise. Visitors to Beavers Bend State Park will enjoy hiking, biking, boating, fishing, water skiing, nature center activities, river float trips, canoeing, horseback riding and much more. Trout streams are stocked year-round and the park features two catch-and-release trophy areas. Escape into the serenity of nature and follow the Mountain Fork River as it flows from the base of Broken Bow Lake through the park below. This area provides visitors with spectacular views, as well as excellent canoeing and fishing opportunities.
Nestled among the trees and alongside the Mountain Fork River are rustic and modern cabins, RV sites and tent campsites, as well as two group camps. This 3,482-acre park offers 47 cabins with kitchenettes, plus 393 campsites and over 50 tent sites spread over eight camping areas. All RV and tent sites are available for online reservations. Waste dump stations are available. Leashed pets are welcome in the park and there are cabins with one and two bedrooms that allow pets for a small nightly fee.
Beavers Bend State Park also offers the Beavers Bend Lodge, situated along the shores of Broken Bow Lake. Every room within the lodge features amazing views of the water. The lodge offers four suites, a great room with a stone fireplace and a conference room. Guests at the lodge are served free continental breakfast in the great room each morning. The lodge can be contacted at the phone number above, by calling toll-free at 800-435-5514, via fax at 580-494-6177 or through email at lview@travelok.com.
$20 - $40 / night
Formerly Red Rock Canyon State Park, this park is now privately owned Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park, as of November 2018.
$12 - $38 / night
Making for great camping near Tulsa, Natural Falls State Park gets its name due to the unique water feature found inside the park’s Dripping Springs. Soaring 77 feet above the flat lands of the nearby Oklahoma/Arkansas border, one of the largest waterfalls in the region cascades down into the depths of the grassland valley below. Thanks to a railed viewing platform that overlooks the waterfall, visitors from all over come to enjoy the serene atmosphere and picturesque splendor created by this natural wonder.
Natural Falls State Park is most famously known for its cameo in the 1974 movie “Where the Red Fern Grows” which was filmed here. While you may not be interested in raising coonhounds, you might be pleased to find that dogs are allowed here so long as they’re on leash and cleaned up after. Additionally, the park offers a 44 RV sites, with 7 of them offering hookups. Furthermore, 17 tent sites are available for reservation if you aren’t one to travel via RV or Van. Nightly pricing ranges from $14 for a standard tent site, to $30 for a premium RV site with hookups.
Those looking for a more convenient camping solution will enjoy the variety of Yurts available for reservation here. Each Yurt can house between 4-6 people, and will more than appeal to even the pickiest of travelers thanks to the well-equipped furnishings found within. Each comes with a fridge, microwave, lighting, electric outlets, Vinyl covered mattresses, heating, and more. Not only that, but bathrooms and showers are just a short walk away. And don’t worry about your four-legged friends; with an additional fee they’ll be able to cozy up with your family inside. Nightly rates for Yurt reservations start at $100, with an additional $15 fee for pets. If you don’t have your own bedding available, the park will lend a complete set for $25.
When it comes to recreation, there’s tons to do! Hiking and fishing are very accessible here, with marked trails and designated fishing areas throughout. Furthermore, if you bring a pair of binoculars the park is full places perfect for checking out the local wildlife. Additionally, the park is jammed pack with local flora and fauna, such as Dogwood and Sassafrass. Moreover, onsite volleyball, disc-golf, horseshoes, a basketball court, and other recreation are found throughout the park.
People may visit here due to the fame, but they stay for the beauty within. Natural Falls State Park is a treasure of Oklahoma, and is worth checking out for anyone who needs a break away from the stress of everyday life.
Located just 25 miles northeast of Lawton, the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge was established in 1901 to help preserve and provide habitat for native bison, Rocky Mountain elk, white-tailed deer, and wild turkeys. It is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the United States, and consists of nearly 60,000 acres of natural grasslands, small lakes and river bottoms. Today, it is home to more than 50 species of mammals, 240 varieties of birds, 100 reptiles, amphibians and fish, and more than 800 types of plants. Visitors are invited to discover and observe many of these unique species by exploring the refuge’s Visitor Center and 15 miles of nature walks and hiking trails. There are also interpretive programs and guided tours available for learning about everything from the refuge’s wildflowers to its seasonal eagle population.
Visitors to the refuge are invited to stay in the Doris Campground, located near Quanah Parker Lake. This year-round campground offers a total of 90 campsites, ranging from drive-in tent and RV sites with electrical hookups, to more primitive, walk-in tent sites. There are also two group campsites, and a few ADA accessible sites. Sites are mostly wooded, and equipped with picnic tables, fire pits and cooking grills. Amenities include both flush and vault toilets, a shower building, water faucets, and waste receptacles; a dump station is available near the campground entrance. Backcountry camping is available in the Charons Garden Wilderness Area. Dogs are welcome on the refuge, but must remain leashed. Campsites are available first-come, first-serve only; rates are $8–$20/night.
Foss State Park is located in western Oklahoma on Foss Lake. Recreational activities include hiking, biking, disc golf, horseback riding, fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking and camping. Facilities include RV campsites, 10 of which have full-hookups. All sites offer 30-amp or 50-amp service plus water. RV sites must be reserved online. Big rig sites, shaded sites and 103 tent sites are also available and all can be reserved online. In addition to the tent and RV sites, the park also offers two fully furnished cabins, one of which is ADA compliant, available for reservation online.
This recreation area is part of Fort Gibson Lake
A City of Davis owned park with 1500 acres of Castles, Caves, Hiking and a Spring fed Creek that runs all the way through the park!
Turner was born in Virginia and married a Chickasaw named Laura Johnson. He then became a farmer in Murray County and in 1878 he and is wife settled in a cabin along Honey Creek. Turner discovered the nearby waterfall, which earned his name. The recreational area came under the ownership of the city of Davis in 1919. Davis operated the park until 1950, and then leased it out until 1978, when they resumed management of the area. Davis purchased 370 acres for the park from the Turner family in 1925, paying a reported sum of $17,000.
The Park has received national publicity and serves as a classroom for naturalists as it includes three natural caves, formations of conglomerates, limestone, granite, shale and sandstone.
We have beautiful RV Sites with water and electric hookups.
RV Campground has twelve 30amp sites and twenty 50amp sites. Daily admission is required for all guests.
There is a dump station located on the park grounds for your convenience.
$15 - $175 / night
Tucked away in the hills of eastern Oklahoma, Greenleaf State Park offers spectacular scenery and is a family-friendly state park. The park includes Greenleaf Lake as well as cabins, campgrounds, family recreation facilities and nature hiking trails. The lake cabins and other facilities at Greenleaf State Park were built in the 1930s by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). The original buildings, constructed of native stone, remain a lasting and beautiful tribute to those who built them. The park has 16 cabins with bathrooms, kitchens with full-size appliances, heat and air. Dishes, cooking utensils, linens and towels are also provided. There are fireplaces in 10 of the cabins. All cabins have satellite television. The cabins are approximately 350 square feet in size. The park also has the "Cabin on the Lake," designed to meet the challenges of the physically disabled. Pets are allowed in all cabins for a small nightly fee. Firewood is available for purchase and firewood is not provided to cabins. A total of 14 cabins will sleep up to four guests, one cabin will sleep two guests and one cabin will sleep up to eight guests between two bedrooms. In addition, the park features RV campsites, some with 50 amp electric and full hookups, as well as tent campsites. All RV and tent campsites must be reserved online. Additional amenities include a community building, pavilion, enclosed shelter, outdoor shelter, seasonal marina with grill and heated fishing dock. Be sure to visit the office and pick up a wrist band for the splash pad and 18-hole miniature golf course before enjoying the swim area, amphitheater, discovery center, playgrounds, hiking trails, volleyball courts and basketball courts. Motorized personal watercraft is not allowed on Greenleaf Lake. The kids' pond allows children 16 and under to fish at no charge with no permit required. Located in Braggs, the park also offers activities such as wildlife viewing and holiday events.
Guide
We didn't know what to expect. This place has absolutely everything you could need. Full Hookups, level sites (mostly gravel but level), shop with souvenirs and RV gadgets. The office also has a gameroom, pantry, and propane. We didn't get to use the playground area this visit as pool and hot tub were closed for the year. They also have normal cabin rental and tiny home rentals that were perfectly positioned around campground and fishing pond. My only complaint would be that the sites are really compact. Plenty of room for your RV but so close that you can hear and smell your neighbors. Nearby Walmart and restaurants were handy.
GuideNice little campground with all the amenities. Super clean bathrooms with granite counter and tile. Pleasant hosts. Quiet, just a bit of highway noise but not much. Pool, hot tub, jump pad, pond with rental boats, lots of kids games. Nice lots with mature trees for shade. There are also cute cabins and small houses to rent.
GuideLots to do here at this conveniently located spot. Basketball hoop, pool and hot tub, pond with kayaks, and more. Laundry, showers and a decent shop too.
Guide
The water is crystal blue, cold and refreshing. Parents be warned, children under 12 have to wear a life vest at all times near the water. I feel very safe here though as police are constantly patrolling the area and campgrounds. Affordable cabins. Alcohol is allowed at your campsite only. Bring good shoes and bring water booties for the slippery rocks for sure! There is a lot to explore though so I would give yourself the entire weekend...or week if possible. The campsites are affordable, but the price to get in is $12 adults, $6 children, in addition to your campsite.
Ranger
We rented a resort cabin for a night in May of 2020. We opted for one of their 16 “resort” cabins. These cabins have 2 bedrooms, a full bathroom and kitchen and a nice porch overlooking the lake. The cabin was pretty nice compared to most state park cabins but it definitely wasn’t resort quality. The TV was super old, there was a hole in the carpet, and water leaked in from the front door all over the living room floor. (However, it was raining super hard that day). They also have 10 primitive cabins. 7 of which have a full bathroom.
Before the rain started, we were able to have a picnic at the picnic pavilion near the swim beach. It had good quality tables and a nice grill and was next to a playground.
We didn’t tent camp or stay in an RV but we drove through some of the campgrounds to check it out. One of the RV areas looked pretty nice with paved pads but the other was a little more rugged with unpaved pads. From what we could tell, the tent area looked decent. Sites were grassy and mowed. But they just had the pit toilets instead of a bathroom with flush toilets and showers.
We weren’t able to hike any trails due to the rain so I can’t comment on those.
Overall, it seems like a pretty good state park. Especially if you like the lake activities.
Legend
Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area, Fort Sill, OK
Cabin 3 (both late June and mid-October)
Lake Elmer Thomas(LETRA) is a 334 acre lake located on Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma. LETRA offers a pretty nice location for recreating. Offering quite a bit for families in a limited space. •A nice beach and cordoned swim area, complete with restrooms and shower house(11a-7p)…lifeguards •Sand volleyball court •Watersport rentals: paddle boards, canoes, kayaks, pontoon boat •Mini golf course •Disc golf course •RV/Camper area •Rustic rental cabins •Random primitive tent camping •Fishing •Nearby off-base hiking(Mount Scott and the Medicine Park Wildlife Refuge) •Bicycling-ample quiet, paved road opportunities but surprisingly limited off road options
Tent Camping: there are no specifically designated loop or numbered site tent areas. Tenters are permitted to camp all along the lake’s edge in the grassy area. There are a few picnic tables and elevated charcoal grills(no ground fires permitted), so you may have to do without. There are also a few picnic tables under shelters, but half are in a state of disrepair and caution-taped off. Tenters cannot set up tents within the cabin rental inner circle.
The modern facility restrooms are across from the playground as you enter the cabin rental peninsula. Tent campers are able to utilize the shower house/restrooms in the RV/Camper section, as well as the beach areas during open hours. There is no ground cover to separate one tent from the next…all can be seen and heard.
RV/Camper Sites: big rigs are lined up side by side in a separate gravel loop immediately to the left of the entrance. Sites have water and electric hookups. The nicest shower house/restroom is located there. There is a small patch of grass between sites, picnic table and elevated charcoal grill. These sites are closest to the entrance, beach area, watersport rental and campground activities.
Cabin Rentals: log home rentals are on a small peninsula with great views of Mount Scott and Lake Elmer Thomas. At the time of this review, you must bring your own bedding linens/blankets, towels, etc. I would also recommend packing extra eating utensils, condiments and any other items that you would take camping. We rented Cabin 3, which the website says will sleep 4…inaccurate. One full size bed and a small futon will sleep two average-sized adults and one small child in marginal comfort. The table only provides two chairs, not four for two not four. I would subtract 1-2 persons on the cabins unless you count floor space. Cabin 3 was$80 nightly.
Painted turtles are in abundance around the lake, as are smallish ‘fist-sized’ tarantulas. Bicycling the Artillary Range perimeter roadways on base, coyote dash across in early morning hours. Note: you are on a military base, so there are a number of restrictions that you need to be aware of and abide by.
Additionally, the campground is positioned along the northern side of the Artillery range. Yes, you will see and hear C-Ram’s lighting up the sky randomly during the day and night hours, as well as other ordinance. I enjoyed the display and out-of-the-ordinary disruption. Think unanticipated fireworks.
Scout
I don’t normally leave reviews, but my experience at the facility needs to be shared.
I called the number provided and was able to find out info on cabin rentals . I asked what I would need to bring and a young girl explained just cooking pot and pans. I asked about a fire pit since I wanted to have a fire for hot dogs and marshmallows. Yes there are large pits was the answer. Thank goodness I camp on the regular, I’ll explain soon. She did warn me there are chickens near the cabin I wanted. Well good, I thought, I wouldn’t miss my own flock so bad.
Upon arrival, before noon, the office was closed. I walked back to my truck to get the phone number and saw a truck with a camp logo on it driving by, leaving…. Same young girl answers and says she is heading back to check me in. I get the key and drive over , get parked, and see the chicken coop, it’s pretty close to the cabin. The next thing I see is a big fire pit; full of trash! Flies everywhere! Well that can be cleaned up, right? There was chicken poo all over the steps and deck. That can be cleaned up , right? So I opened the door, flies and a dank smell hit me hard. . Nice. It appeared that the inside had not been cleaned either, sticky stuff on the stove, sink and fridge. The shower was a joke. There were extension cords running through a sliding window which left a half inch gap just open to the outside…. I plugged that with paper towels I had brought. There was a king size bed , but the pillows and sheets were stained. I found dead flies in the fridge as well. Before I brought anything in, I wiped down all of the surfaces. I spread my sleeping bag out on top of the provided bedding and covered up with a couple of blankets. I always bring towels as well, I’m glad I did, those are not provided either. I had also brought T - paper as a precaution, so glad I did…..
I really just wanted to make the best of this and I know it’s hard to keep these river cabins clean so I decided to tough it out. The next morning, I paid for my float and asked if I could have bags to clean out the fire pit… but then asked if THEY could clean it while I floated, the young girl handed me three trash bags and said “some one was supposed to get that”. I laid the trash bags on a log near the pit so they could be used.
My float went well and was great fun. Upon my return to the cabin, the fire pit trash had been burned and a plastic bag was still smoldering! There were still tin cans and other debris in there, and it stunk! So , I could not / would not use it for cooking or just lounging around! Later, I was hungry and decided to use the oven. When I opened it, there was a skillet with old moldy food in it! It smelled horrible and I gagged! I took a pic of the offending skillet and showed it to the other office worker; a lady and her little girl.
She said that she usually is the one that cleans , but she didn’t do this cabin this time.
She closed the office, called the owner, and removed the offending skillet. She stated there would be something done…. There was never an offer of compensation of any kind. My recommendation is don’t stay in the cabins.
The campground as a whole was just worn down and trashy. The staff were nice but didn’t really seem to want to be there.
Legend
We arrived here later in the day. We were here and it was chilly in November. Apparently the person working didn't anticipate any body showing up so late in the season. They were surprised and let us in for free. Its a pretty sweet camp right on the lake. 20-30 tent sites. As well as full RV hook ups.
Theres hiking, biking, and fishing in the area. We weren't really sure what to think about camping in Oklahoma and the camp site and people blew our expectations.
Cheers!
Legend
Lake Elmer Thomas Recreation Area(LERTA), Fort Sill, OK
Tent Site:$10 (both in June and October)
Spending a week in Lawton, OK there are only “so many” places you can camp…so we jumped around every night to try as many as we could. The weather was blistering hot and cloudless during the day with a constant strong breeze in June...(and unseasonably windy and bitter cold in mid-October). So both Lake Elmer Thomas and Lake Lawtonka were a welcomed respite. Technically, the only swimming permitted on Lake Elmer Thomas is 11:00a-7:00p with a daily pass of $8. However, they offer packages for military families and civilians should someone desire to take advantage of the season savings. For campers it’s all included in the site or cabin costs.
There is a separate RV/Camper Loop near the entrance and is a little lower so does not have Lake views. All cabins have lake views to some degree.
Tent sites are grassy areas along the campground roadway on either side, but are not numbered and cost$10 a night. All are first-come, first-served. Most will snatch up the sheltered picnic table areas with an elevated charcoal grill. Almost all are along the lake bank. There is no understory or shrubbery to provide privacy, so you can see and hear your neighbors.
During our stay, they were all young families and very respectful of others. Tent campers can utilize any of the restrooms as well as the showerhouse in the RV area.
There is enough to stay busy right here at LERTA. Canoe, kayak, paddle board and pontoon boat rentals to enjoy the lake. Fishing is permitted and schools of bluegill are seen along the shoreline. The water is incredibly clear. A very nice mini-golf course is located across from the offices. Sand volleyball is next to the beach area. The beach and swimming area is manned by lifeguards from 11:00a-7:00p and offers a huge restroom/showers/changing rooms building. Playgrounds are located in the RV/Camper loop, outside the beach area and along the tenting area before you reach the cabin rentals. An archery range is located across the roadway from the tenting/picnic areas.
The staff are very courteous and helpful. The entrance gate attendant will direct you (Entrance was manned in June but not in October). A bicycle event was taking place and LERTA was the halfway mark and turnaround point. So bicycling these sparsely traveled undulating roads was enjoyable. There are some two track worth exploring to the north of the roadway as well as a few other sizable lakes to fish in the area.
DO NOT venture south off the roadway. It is a clearly marked and active artillery range. Also of note, artillery range practice, though sporadic, takes place at any hour of any day. If you treat it like an unexpected fireworks display you’ll actually look forward to it.
I find the large resident flock of geese more annoying that the artillery….though the half minute displays were at 2359, 0245 and 0349…blasting you out of any REM cycle.
I was advised the tent spots rarely fill up, but RV/Camper and cabin rentals(adventure travel letra)fill up quickly so reservations are a must.
Things to do nearby: Definitely spend time in the Medicine Park Wildlife Refuge Area. Drive, bicycle, run or walk up Mount Scott(rock climbing is permitted on Mount Scott). Check out the hundreds of free roaming LongHorn’s, Bison and prairie dog towns. Coyotes, various snakes and tarantulas can be seen through these hills. Scores of fishable lakes dot the landscape. The Ferguson homestead still exists with its “cannonball” architecture. Chad's El Sabores Mexican Restaurant in Medicine Park is a fantastic little eatery on your way in or out of the Recreation Area. Medicine Park Aquarium and Natural Sciences Center is worth a visit and reasonably priced. Clarification: while this may or may not be true for every military base campground,
LERTA is open to civilians. However, there is a process. Passes must be acquired at the Visitor’s Center at the Sheridan Entrance (plan for an hour) for each adult over 16. You must have a valid/current Drivers License, Passport or other recognized government ID. They do a background check before you qualify for a pass. Also know, certain gates close at 7:00p…so keep track of your time of off-base.
The camp host rolled through during the evening before sunset to make sure all was well…and the military police made their rounds a few times during each day. Both of which I appreciate.
Would I return? Yes, if I’m traveling through these parts again, I wouldn’t hesitate to camp here again (and I did in mid-October, same year for military graduations)
Ranger
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 has a very nice bathroom facility with showers. Normally when we would go (in the fall and spring) it was not very crowded. Lots of great hiking trails nearby and the scenic Talimena scenic drive is beautiful, especially in the fall.
Legend
When searching for a unique camping experience you might check out something a little bit outside of the box. Offering tent sites and RV sites Tiny Town might seem normal on paper but when you were arrive they have a lot of options which might be considered a little bit different.
I pulled into Tiny Town I noticed right away the unique experience which they offer. Though RVs were parked in the front and on the right I noticed a community of tiny homes just beyond the bounds. Many tiny homes were under construction however a few options were already up and running in a variety of floor plans ideal for any traveler visiting the area.
The property it’s self is small but does offer a few amenities including a restroom and laundry as well as a small play facility. The big draw to this area is the quick and easy access to beavers Bend State Park and other attractions around the Broken Bow area.
The offering of cabin rentals varies from humble three person dwellings all the way up to a 20 person“Deck-A-Saurus”. Cabins are all equipped with standard furniture including couches and beds, making it ideal for those who just want to pullin and immediately jump into comfort. The RV area it’s self accommodate 17 spaces in three various sizes. Each side includes full hook ups, and barbecue pits. The larger areas have private fire pits as well as picnic tables.
When I visited I noticed that the area was a little void of large trees. However the area is currently working to re-landscape and provide better shade accommodations along the perimeter’s which would be very beneficial to tent campers. While they do not market the smaller sites as tent only facilities I did notice there were several people staying in vans or tents in these sites along the outer border.
The facility itself is very clean and well-maintained. You can really tell there is attention to detail at this location and that as it continues to grow and be developed that this will be a continued point of interest.
Standard nightly rates run between $30 and $45 depending on the site for RV or tent camping. They do also offer both weekly and monthly rates but do impose strict guidelines for those who are staying long-term to keep the facility clean and not looking unkept.
The Broken Bow Area offers beautiful unique attractions. If you like fishing, hiking,canoeing or trying something a little new this area is perfect. This park offers easy access to not only the outdoor features but also the nice Intown features such as restaurants making it a perfect place to stop if you’re in the area.
The only downside I could see to this campsite is that it is not as remote as some. While it does provide great amenities and access points to everything around with easy pull ins for RV traffic, it does lack that in the woods feel that many other campsites provide. You will be a little close to your neighbors here.
Traveler
Beavers bend state park is a great place to get away tucked away in the kiamichi mountains of South east Oklahoma along the mountain fork river all kinds of camp sites from full hookup to hike in also broken bow lake is right over the mountains also there are hundreds of cabins to rent in the area
Guide
Just a short drive from Tulsa, Greenleaf State Park is a great place for a getaway. The park has tent, RV, and cabin accommodations along with one of the best gift shops in the Oklahoma State Park system. A splash pad is available during the Summer but put-put is available anytime.
RV sites are paved, and gravel, but could use some sewer hook up - dump stations are available and well equipped.
Great staff made this a great weekend getaway!
Ranger
This is a very well maintained RV park. I think the pictures speak for them selves.
Located just minutes from Lake McMurtry, Lake Carl Blackwell, Karsten Creek Golf Course, Oklahoma State University, and all the rest that Stillwater has to offer, Cedar Crest is situated on 40 acres in a natural setting and offers modern amenities. Despite our country setting, we are easily accessible by paved roads.
Ranger
Grew up in the area and spent a lot of time here. You can rent all kinds of water crafts even kayaks. There’s a island in the middle called goat island that is fun to check out. It’s a great little lake for fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking and swimming. The Rv sites are close together but the whole area is wooded which makes for some great shade. There are also cabins you can rent and some rental packages available that I screenshot for anyone that wants to go! I love kayaking around here.
RangerThis campground has it all! Cabins, RV, tents- on the river or in the forest! Nature center- check! Fly fishing- check! Paddle boats, canoes and kayaks- check check check! Enjoy the loveliest place in Oklahoma and visit Beavers Bend you won’t be disappointed!!!!
GuideBeavers Bend State Park is absolutely beautiful and it’s one of my favorite parks in Oklahoma! My husband and I like to book a cabin stay every year during the late winter/early spring season (we like to go when the hiking trails are less crowded). The cabins here are small and cozy but they are very well kept up. And just FYI, the park was experiencing high tide due to the large amount of rain they received around the time of our last visit. This triggered the loud flood sirens and they went off every few hours throughout the night. I wouldn’t say that this happens often and we didn’t experience any flooding.
Scoutcalled on June 27th to reserve a cabin for 6, Saturday the 2nd- 4th, At first was told they had no cabins available about 15 min after I made the call John the owner calls me back to tell me they had a cabin that was a 2 room available for theses dates and it was 100 per night and would sleep 6. I said we would like to reserve it. After hanging up called to inform my husband that we got a cabin then remember that I forgot to see if dogs were allowed, so I had to call back to make sure cause I can’t leave my fur babies. When I called it was a young girl that answered and said yes dogs were allowed and proceeded to talk about her 2 little puppies that were in the office with her. When packing and getting everything we needed together on Friday the day before we left we called to make sure the cabin had bedding and towels etc.. the young girl said yes. We get to sparrow resort on Saturday afternoon 2 young girls checked us in gave me a key pointed us in the direction of the cabin we pulled up to a cabin unloading all our stuff and unpacked was at this 2 bedroom cabin for approximately 2hours when John the owner came to this cabin told us we was at the wrong cabin I told them the key unlocked it. They said this was not cabin 2 and the people that reserved it would be up later so we gathered our things and moved to the cabin they said was ours that was next door. OH MY WAS WE LET DOWN. Mind you we have 2adult children myself and husband and 2 teenagers and 4 dogs they put us in a concrete prison that had missing curtains holes around the air conditioning window unit It was dirty holes in the walls. One king size bed a chair and a futon couch one room box. Bedding on bed only with a dirty comforter. For$100 a night not including the float trip. We were let down but determined to make the best of this we went to the store and bought bedding and towels and cleaning wipes. The next morning get up and noticed no one was in the 1st cabin still. So my daughter and I go to the office to get out float paid for and ask if we could get the bigger cabin since no one was in it told them I would pay more for it the little brown haired girl said yes then the other girl with a nose piercing said no it was booked and we should have had to pay a pet deposit of 15 a dog and we needed to pay this fee and was nasty with me. I said I wanted to by one raft and 2 tube rentals she keep saying and 60 pet deposit the brown haired girl rung up the float while the nasty teenager kept repeating and pet deposit the other girl stated stop worrying about the deposit and she kept saying it! The sign read tube float for 4 hours was only$20 and the raft was 25 per person for 4hours she charged us 30 x 6 people to float the 4 mile I said the 20 tube for 4 hours she nasty teen says that for just playing in the water😡 really the sign clearly says 4hour float only$20 and 25 for rafting over 4 people. I ask again about the other cabin the nasty girl said Chelsea and her 2 daughters were staying in it. Really because Chelsea and John the owner were the ones that came to the cabin the day before and Chelsea said she was the cleaning lady and John was the owner. Always we paid our pet deposit and float trip and tried to make the best of this regardless i a grown woman not to be argumentative with a child. This morning comes and we can’t wait to leave we cleaned the crap out of our concrete box prison and went to to office to return our key and get my 60 dollar pet deposit back and the nasty little teen was by herself while we started recording the whole encounter since day prior I ask for my pet deposit she said it don’t work like that I said excuse me you say deposit that means I get my deposit back if no damage was done. John came in and said what do we want he said you want your deposit here thank for staying and goodbye🤯wow what service. The best part the large cabin stayed vacant the entire time. The teenager that was running John’s business will be his downfall she don’t know how to treat people VERY DISRESPECTFUL!!! Will never be back!!
GuideGreenleaf State Park is a gem in eastern Oklahoma. This state park offers fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and a splash pad to cool off at! It also is home to The Cabin on the Lake, the first cabin built in Oklahoma for the physically challenged.
We stayed in the Cypress Row campground at site #6. 30 amp and water. No sewer, but dump station close by. This site was close to the bathhouse and lake. You could walk to the lake and fish off the docks or on the lake edge. The only disadvantage to this park is some sites share water. In our site we needed 50 ft of water hose and I would suggest bringing a “y” water connector.
We enjoyed hiking the trails and our little one enjoyed the splash pad. The splash pad is fairly new and kept in great shape. It is a local favorite.
Pros: Clean park Lots of activities Shade galore
Cons: Some sites are shared water-bring extra hoses and a “y” connector
TravelerWe live approximately an hour and forty-five minutes from beavers Bend and have been going off and on since 2010. We have tent camped, stayed in cabins in the park and outside the park. It's always a nice place to get away too and most of the time there are a pleathera of deer! The swimming area is river water so it's great in the hottest part of summer because it's nice and cool. We even rented a boat one year and it wasn't even super expensive. We've always enjoyed our time, whether it's just a day trip or a few days.
Ranger
Hiking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and swimming among rolling wooded hills and rocky cliffs, plus cave tours, nature center, special events year-round (tractor show!), canoe & bike rentals, horseback tours, and lots more extras. They have rustic tent sites, full RV, and small cabins to rent. We stayed in the tent sites, which had great shade and decent privacy. Restrooms need to be updated (as of 2014), but we didn’t mind. While this is a very built-up campground with many activities and is relatively crowded, it does not feel like a theme park since all the activities are tied to nature. Great place and perfect to bring less experienced campers.
TravelerOsage Hills State Park is tucked away in the rolling hills and tall grass prairies of NE Oklahoma, and home to over 1100 acres of forest, lakes, creeks, trails, and fun. The park offers 20 fully-outfitted RV campsites, 8 rustic cabins, and over a dozen designated tent-camping sites. Advance reservations are recommended, but not required (if the designated camping areas are not full). The park also has a swimming pool, ball field, tennis courts, and an abundance of heavy concrete picnic tables available.
For the more adventurous, the park has easily-accessible lakes and creeks, hiking trails (easy-to-moderate in difficulty for the average, able adult), mountain biking trails, and scenic overlooks.
Wildlife is abundant throughout the park, but in my many experiences, have never been invasive of the camping areas. Depending on the season, ducks, geese, wild turkey, deer, squirrels, and many other forms of wildlife can be seen in proximity, with relative ease. Fishermen will enjoy the park's waterfronts, at Lookout Lake & Sand Creek, where plentiful bass, perch, crappie, and catfish can be had.
My family and I have made many great memories at Osage Hills over the years, it's a great place to get away for a weekend & enjoy nature. My favorite time of year to go would be early-mid fall, as the foliage can be truly brilliant & breathtaking. Highly recommended!
ScoutNestled in the beautiful hills of the Osage Hills Nation, located between Bartlesville, Oklahoma and Pawhuska, Oklahoma is Osage Hills State Park. I brought three of my grands who all had a blast! This 1,100 acre park offers swimming, fishing, hiking, biking, & even has a tennis court. The clean restrooms were a plus! Cabins, RV & Tent camping available. There is a small private lake with kayaks (Lookout Lake), many hiking trails, a swimming pool, and playground. We saw white tail deer, armadillo, & wild Turkey. There is a lot to do in the area. Woolaroc, Frank Phillips Mansion, The Pioneer Woman, The Dewey Hotel Museum, Tom Mix Museum, Kiddie Park.
Legend
CLICK HERE for full video on this location including camping accommodations and dig site information
Finding a campground which also offers unique activities is something I truly enjoy. While many might have hiking or lake activities, finding something which is a bit outside of the box is a little more of a rare find, especially in certain areas of the country. Living next to Oklahoma and exploring it most of my life, I always thought that Oklahoma’s camping was just an extension of Texas, very similar in nature, climate and vegetation. That was until I discovered the Great Salt Plains State Park in northern Oklahoma.
Removed from much of popular civilization the campground is pretty well off the beaten path. Neighboring the small community of Jet, you will drive for miles and miles seeing only farmland with an occasional silo marking a town in this section of Oklahoma. Then out of nowhere the farms transition into a white glaze which is unmatched by the lands around. It almost looks as though snow is laying in the distance, but snow it is not…. It is salt!
**Campground Review: **
Pulling into the Great Salt Plains State Park there are a variety of options for accommodation you will want to explore. Offering cabins at a reasonable$99 a night, unimproved camping for$14 and RV camping from$22-$25 per night the price point is right on target for most campers. But one thing to note is that the campgrounds themselves are not directly on the Salt Plains, instead these are located closely to the waterways of the location, giving a much cooler and more shaded place to enjoy your time away from home.
With a variety of camping options also comes a variety of vantage points, with some campsites in the more improved locations highlighting the shoreline of the Arkansas River while others overlook the lake from beyond the spillway. I was very pleased with the views available and the variety of options for anglers, boaters and campers alike. This did not feel strictly like a lake campground like so many of the camps do in this region.
The office of the grounds does close rather early at 4 p.m. so it made catching staff a bit harder as there didn’t seem to be anyone actively patrolling the park, with the exception of the dig site for the salt plains…(yes, I said dig site… but we will get to that in a moment). With that being said and also limited cell service, you really need to make sure you are prepared before coming to this remote location.
Of the many camping loops, the one closest to the campground office seemed the least interesting to me personally. There was limited tree coverage, spaces were closely packed together and the restroom was only a port a potty, which in the Oklahoma sun can become a little less than desirable to visit. This portion of the park seemed to be designed mostly for RVs.
Another one which slightly was confusing to me was the official primitive site campground. There is a small community of homes which border the lake on this side and a small stretch of campground separates the homes from the shoreline itself. This seemed a bit uncomfortable for me camping solo to be basically right in someones backyard. This site had beautiful tall trees, great site spacing and the view was amazing so it was a bit unfortunate that this site was so close to everyone’s backyard.
The most appealing sites to me were those along the river which had amazing views and some of the most improved restrooms at the park. These were capable of accommodating both tents and RVs and had connections and amenities which would far surpass other campsites. Here you could find running water, flush toilets and showers in addition to a playground for the kiddos, fish cleaning stations and trash services. A small outdoor chapel/ampitheater was available in this area as well which would be ideal for a group camp.
Sites in this area are the highest of the park ranging between $22 and$25 but they are equipped with picnic tables, fire rings, grills, lantern hooks and easy to pull in and out areas. You can literally walk to the water and be in the river playing or fishing in seconds from any site in this location.
But now to the points of interest of this park…. The Salt Plains!
The unique ecosystem of this area is one to come out and see. There are several observation points in which you can view the birds and other wildlife which call this area home. But one of the things which makes it differ so much from other habitats are the Selenite crystals which can be found as a result of the salt and water table in this area. Birds are drawn to these and often you will find small nests housing eggs lined in crystals. It is unique to say the least.
But if you are not a bird watcher, there is still something for you…. Digging for Crystals! Yep, you can get hands on and dig into the plains around 2 feet down and find that the water will start flooding into the hole you created. From here you simply need to splash water along the sides of your new dig and expose your jewels to take harvest. Sound to good to be true? Well it is not! It really is that easy!!
And unlike the locations across the country which tell you to not take the sands, dirt, rocks or formations with you, you can take everything you find home with you!!
It is a great activity which can leave you busy for minutes, hours or even days and something which is fun for the entire family. On my trip we started early on an August morning and dug for approximately 3 hours. We brought our own sifters, a few jugs of water for cleaning off our finds and a shovel which seemed to be all we needed to find more than our fair share of crystals.
Crystals come in many shapes and sizes but the most coveted are large clusters or hourglass crystals. The crystals are mineral rich and appear to have a chocolate brown to redish tone based on the contents found in the soil which create them. And the unique thing about them and why we are allowed to take what we find home, is they are constantly regenerating.
Dig site is closed from October to April for migration of wildlife so you will want to plan a trip during the peak months to assure you will be able to dig. Don’t worry about crowds it isn’t terrible even on the most busy of days and there are plenty of crystals to be found.
**TIPS: **
**Product Review: **
For this trip knowing that the shade would be limited on the Great Salt Plains I made sure to pack the Banner& Oak Scout Hat in Charcoal Grey. This hat is designed as a summer hat with a snapback and breathable meshing to allow heat to escape and wind to come through.
I wanted something which would provide a bit more shade for my face than simply wearing a bandana to pull my hair back and this was a great fit for doing just that.
The hat itself is easy to size and while it is a men’s hat it easily could be sized down to fit my head and still feel comfortable yet secure. It did not appear bunched in the back like some men’s hats can when worn by women, I personally have a relatively small head so this is a huge deal to me.
The charcoal color did not attract as much heat as I thought it might and I felt comfortable even being out for 3 hours diggings and 2 hours exploring the day before.
The design of the hat is a must for anyone who, like myself, loves tent camping as the patch is a tent with a unique design and a great way to express yourself even in the most simplistic of ways.
I think a lot of people neglect to realize that they can wear a basic camping or exploring outfit and then completely change the vibe with the addition of the right hat. From the design and color to the way you wear your hat, all of these things are expressive of your own unique personality. I will definitely be adding this hat to my stack of hats I take on lengthy road trips, it has great feel to it, the brim was shaped well and mesh back makes it perfect for warm to hot climates.
**TIPS: **
Scout
The wife and I rented a cabin April 2021 River was in flood stage. We were there to attend a group motorcycle ride. The camp management very hospitable. The cabin was clean and well-maintained. Enjoyed the stay we will be back.
TravelerWe rented a cabin for a couple of nights. The cabin was clean with a great updated bathroom and an adequate kitchen. There was a fire ring, a grill, and a picnic table.
We took a hike on several beautiful trails and really enjoyed ourselves.
This is a huge facility that is very well managed.
TravelerSpending my first time camping here on Memorial Day weekend probably wasn't the best choice for a get away. Got in late in the evening and drove around to try to find a secluded, quiet place to set up. It took a while to find. The park was full of people having a good time and partying. Really fun atmosphere. Set up camp on top of hill to be able to catch the sunrise and it was worth it. There are plenty of spots to camp, and plenty of places with shade further back in the park. There are spots to hook up RV's and cabins available. The park also offers quite a few stores to stop and get supplies along with food, and a place to do laundry. Hiking can definitely all be done in one day, and the river and the falls were beautiful. Seems like a great family campground with good scenery.
Cabin camping in Oklahoma offers a unique blend of nature and comfort, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the great outdoors while enjoying the cozy amenities of a cabin.
Keep Exploring
