Oklahoma Camping

[Bob806]

My wife and I are taking a fall trip to Oklahoma in our 26' trailer, and we'd like to spend most of our time near the Chickasaw area. I'm also looking at Red Rock Canyon State Park- anybody have any comments on that place? Looking forward to discovering a new state.

[rseymour21]

Ft Cobb Lake, fond memories of that lake, we would make one or two trips a year there as a kid growing up! Someday I'm going back for a visit!

[Bob806]

Once again, thanks for the replies. I am definitely looking at the Petit Jean St Park in Arkansas before arriving in Oklahoma, maybe we'll spend a couple nights there.

[Grey_Mountain]

Red Rock Canyon State Park is nice,but there isn't a lot in the immediate area. A bit further south is Fort Cobb State park with many sites at three different locations. From there, it's a 35 minute drive to the Wichita Game Reserve. If you are in to Native American history, there are seven Native American tribal headquarters located in the area. I live 12 miles from Ft.Cobb Lake and can provide more information if necessary. I can also provide a safe-passage pass through Indian Country...


GM

[DBW]

There are lots of diverse bits of geography in OK. All the places listed are unique. The temperature typically backs off around mid-September so outdoor activities are much more enjoyable. October is some of the best camping weather possible. If you have the time, I would suggest stopping somewhere in Arkansas on one of the legs of your trip. Petit Jean SP, Mt Magazine, or Devils Den SP are about as good as parks can get. Arkansas actually spends money on their state parks so the facilities are typically first rate. OK has some great parks geographically but they are not well funded. Enjoy the trip!

[Bob806]

Thanks for all the tips so far. Yes, the Chickasaw National Rec Area is where we'll spend a lot of time. I did see the Wichita Mtn refuge, maybe we'll go there instead of Red Rock Canyon. Looking forward to the trip!
I received a travel kit from the Oklahoma tourism office, and browsing through it I found so many choices. As you know, you have to whittle it down, just not enough vacation time.

[tatest]

We do most of our camping/RVing at the edge of the Ozarks, on the Arkansas River system.

I've been to the Wichita Mountains refuge, which I like, and have visited Red Rock Canyon, Great Salt Plains Lake, Boiling Springs, Quartz Mountain in the west, Chickasaw NRA in the south, but find no compelling reason to drive the extra 200-400 miles when the parks on Grand Lake, Kaw Lake, Fort Gibson Lake, and Tenkiller Ferry Lake are so nice, in wooded and hilly settings, closer to home.

And is that Chickasaw or Chickasha? Two different places, physically and culturally.

[LowRyter]

would definitely consider Wichita Mtns in SW OK or the many great parks in Eastern OK. Red Rock isn't worth your effort to get there from Ohio when so many Parks in the East are so nice.

Consider: Robber's Cave, Talihina, Spavinaw, Greenleaf, Tenkiller in the east. The many Corps of Engineer lakes (all over the state). The Chickasaw area is nice too, camp at Arbuckle Lake in Arbuckle Mtns (south central OK). I don't think you'll be disappointed with Wichita Mountains; it's scenic and has the largest Buffalo herd in the US. In the west, you might like Little Sahara if you have a dune buggy or the Great Salt Plains if you want to dig crystals or Roman Nose nice but again is small.

[rexlion]

I've camped in Red Rock Canyon and it's nice. A 26' TT should be fine, I saw some larger rigs in there. The CG is down in the canyon, and the descent is steep but quite short. I enjoyed finding a spot to climb up a wall and walking around on the rim a bit. Some people had rappelling gear and were having a great time using it. There's a swimming pool.

Wichita Mountains is an easy drive from there; be sure to drive your tug up Mount Scott and enjoy the view from the peak.

[LewBob]

We've stopping at Red Rock Canyon south of Hinton a couple of times. Cute little park. Short but steep entrance into the canyon and camping area. Some nice short hikes in the trees and on the rocks. It's certainly worth a night or two.

[RoyB]

Don't rule out Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge at Medicine Park OKLA just North of Lawton OKLA.

The campground inside the Refuge is CAMP DORIS. A great musium there, many lakes, alot of open range for Buffalo... We have a great experience everytime we go there...

Wichita Mtns Wildlife Refuge

CAMP DORIS

Roy Ken