Oklahoma is one of the best places in the entire United States to go camping. The weather’s great, the people are friendly, and there are lots of unique places to pitch up a tent.
If you are planning on taking a camping trip, then why not give Oklahoma some consideration? However, because Oklahoma’s such a vast state with literally thousands of places to go camping, it can be difficult to choose somewhere.
This post will explore this topic in a little more detail, telling you about nine great places where you can go camping in Oklahoma.
Robbers Cave State Park
Robbers Cave is without a doubt Oklahoma’s premier camping destination. It’s somewhere that’s visited by perhaps hundreds of thousands of people a year. However, you do need to make that you go properly equipped because it’s a little remote. According to one of the guides from The Camping Buddy, buying a quality tent is very important. Unfortunately, though, it’s something that a lot of people overlook. You also need to make sure that you take enough supplies with you to last you your entire trip. A lot of campers make the mistake of going without enough food or water to last them, which can in some situations be dangerous.
Beavers Bend State Park
Beavers Bend is another immensely popular camping destination, and like Robbers Cave, can get a little remote in places. Most experts recommend staying in the park’s established campsites rather than going off and finding somewhere to set up a tent yourself. The problem with setting up your own tent is that you could do so in a dangerous area, i.e., somewhere where deadfall is a problem or where there’s unstable ground. Whenever you are going camping in a state park, it’s a good idea to take a phone and signal booster with you so that you can call for help in an emergency.
Greenleaf State Park
There’s a lot to do at Greenleaf State Park. Outdoor events are regularly held there, mainly because of the huge camping facilities that are on offer there. Greenleaf is a fantastic place to visit if you are going camping with children or with your family. The best thing about Greenleaf is the huge number of options you have available to you in terms of sites to set up your tent. Something else that’s worth noting is that in the park, you have the option to stay in a cabin or mobile home.
Black Mesa State Park
Black Mesa State Park is a park and nature reserve. It’s one of the most beautiful places in Oklahoma. However, because it’s a nature reserve, there are lots of large animals prowling around that could potentially pose a threat to you. Because of this, it’s a good idea to stay in one of the park’s recommended camping locations. The park is incredibly beautiful and has some fantastic hiking trails, too. There are also cycle tracks that run through the park, so if you want to go cycling, then it’s one of the best places in the entire state that you can visit.
Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Chickasaw National Recreation Area is one of the best places to go in Oklahoma if you’re a fan of outdoor sports, like kayaking. The park has tons of rivers, lakes, and creeks for you to use. You do not need to pay for a permit or buy a ticket to go out kayaking there, however you do need to be respectful of the park’s wildlife. You should always clean up after yourself, be as quiet as possible, and perhaps most importantly, be safe. It’s a large park, so going out on a kayak could be dangerous if you aren’t a strong swimmer or don’t have a life jacket with you. There’s no guarantee anybody will hear you if you do get into trouble.
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is breathtakingly beautiful. However, there are also a lot of animals around as you would typically expect from a wildlife refuge of any kind, which means that you need to take care. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge is a very popular place for wildlife photographers to go. If you are interested in photography, then it’s definitely somewhere that’s worth visiting. That said, you will need to invest in a good-quality camera if you want to get good shots. With the photos you take, you could potentially sell them to a magazine or travel journal.
Illinois River
There are lots of places for you to camp along the Illinois River. You can also go canoeing and kayaking there. A lot of people go camping along the Illinois River and use it as an opportunity to go fishing. If you’re a fan of fishing, then this is definitely something to consider. You can pull some incredibly large fish out of the Illinois River. If you are going fishing, then you could even consider cooking what you catch. Make sure you take proper equipment like a filleting knife so that you can properly prepare the fish, however.
Sequoya State Park
If you’re interested in history, wildlife, and nature, then you’re going to love Sequoya State Park. The park’s history is fascinating. It was formerly inhabited and used by Native Americans, who inhabited the area. The entire state of Oklahoma was at one point just incorporated Native American territory. There are a number of reservations in the state, some of which welcome tourists and allow them to come in and see the way that they live. If you do end up going onto a reservation, make sure that you’re respectful and polite.
Ouachita National Forest
Ask any experienced camper, there’s nowhere better to go camping than in a forest. Ouachita National Forest is a forest of immense size. It is very dense in places though, so if you are going to go there, make sure that you take a map and mark out your route, so you can find your way out once you’re in there.
Oklahoma is a breathtakingly beautiful state, with a lot of great places to go camping. If you’re planning on going camping, then the places listed here should be at the top of your list. Make sure that you stay on established camping sites if you’re visiting the places here.
