Established Camping

Winding Stair Campground

10 Reviews

About

National Forest

Visitors enjoy the peaceful setting of this campground located within three miles of several trail systems, including Horsethief and Billy Creek Trails. The Mountain-top Trail has a one-mile loop and a two-mile loop adjacent to the campground. The 192-mile Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes the campground as it extends from Talimena State Park in Oklahoma to Pinnacle Mountain State Park in Arkansas. This campground is one of many attractions along the Talimena Scenic Byway, a 54-mile highway winding along the crests of Winding Stair and Rich Mountains. Emerald Vista, north of this campground, boasts a birds-eye view of the Ouachita National Forest from atop the Scenic Byway. Picnic tables are available. A backpacker’s camp, located about 300 feet west of the main campground, is open year-round. Facilities include five tent pads, table, fire ring, lantern poles and pit toilet.

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

Stay Connected

WiFi
Unknown
Verizon
Poor
AT&T
Fair
T-Mobile
Available

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Phone Service
Drinking Water
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

For Vehicles

Water Hookups
Pull-Through Sites

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Jon D.

Guide

Reviewed Feb. 13, 2024

I did not stay here, just passing through.

I did not stay at this campground (I was driving the scenic byway), but I stopped for "scouting purposes". It seems very nice, the vault toilet was locked? But otherwise, a well kept dry campground with many sites and good views. Also, the pricing on here is incorrect; USFS website says $8/night for singles, $14/night for doubles (can't beat those prices honestly). Will stay if I pass this way again!

Month of VisitOctober

Rachel H.

Traveler

Reviewed Oct. 29, 2022

Super safe and beautiful

The site felt really safe for me as a first time solo camper, and the scenery was beautiful. Really clean trash and litter wise, but dang…those bathrooms 😬 Still, it was a really great experience and an absolutely gorgeous setting!

Site#9

Month of VisitNovember

Ben M.

Scout

Reviewed Jun. 12, 2021

Decent place for people set up to dry camp

The campground is very peaceful, only two other campers On a Thursday in the middle of June. There used to be places to get water but they are turned offIt really looks like there is very little maintenance. There are pit toilets But that is it. It is a very peaceful place but lacking in amenities

Site16

Month of VisitJuly

Location

Winding Stair Campground is located in Oklahoma

Directions

From Hodgen, OK, take US Rt. 270 south 10.5 miles to US Rt. 259. Turn right onto Rt. 259 and go 4.3 miles to Talimena Drive sign (State Rt. 1). Turn right onto Talimena Dr. and proceed to stop sign. Turn right onto State Rt. 1 (Talimena Drive) and go 2 miles to Winding Stair campground sign. Turn right at sign and proceed into campground.