5 Places to Go Camping Around Oklahoma City

Camping season is upon us with the perfect weather for setting up your tent, exploring the woods, roasting marshmallows and casting a line out on the water. If you’re yearning for a laid-back getaway with less tech and more trees, try one of these camping locations around Oklahoma City.

1. Oklahoma City East KOA
6200 S Choctaw Rd, Choctaw

Just 22 minutes from Springs at May Lakes, this is the perfect pick if you’re looking for a short camping weekend close to home. This KOA campground offers a wealth of amenities including Wi-Fi, cable television, a seasonal pool and organized activities.

Spend the weekend participating in wagon rides and scavenger hunts, enjoy the mile-long nature trail during the day and cozy up to the campfire for s’mores at night. Though this isn’t a rugged retreat by any means, it’s an easy opportunity to get away without going too far from home.

2. Red Rock Canyon State Park
Highway 281 S, Hinton

About an hour outside of Oklahoma City, Red Rock Canyon State Park offers the opportunity to set up camp amid stunning canyon walls. During the day, you can explore hiking trails or take your pole out to the fishing pond. Children will even find a playground on-site and a seasonal pool offers the perfect place for a summer dip. Both RV and tent camping sites are available.

3. Arcadia Lake
9000 East 2nd St, Arcadia

Just a 20-minute drive from Springs at Memorial, Arcadia Lake feels like it’s a world away. Camping opportunities include RV, tent and primitive sites. Arcadia Lake itself offers 26 miles of shoreline and over 3,800 acres of surface area.

Visitors to the lake can enjoy swimming, water skiing, boating and fishing—the waters offer plenty of bluegill, largemouth bass and catfish for anglers. Hiking, biking and equestrian trails are accessible as well so you can grab your walking stick and head into the woods for the day before hunkering down in your tent at night.

4. Sheppard Point Campground
29110 W 141st St S, Bristow

Located near Heyburn Lake, this camping destination is ideal for a retreat filled with hiking, fishing, boating and swimming. The waters hold catfish, bass and crappie, and both tent and RV sites are available in the park. Shower facilities help campers stay clean, while picnic shelters can accommodate your family reunion or group retreat.

5. Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge
32 Refuge Headquarters Rd, Indiahoma, OK

Southwest of Oklahoma City, you’ll find the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. The Doris Campground features single-unit sites both with and without electricity, and an easily accessible restroom and shower facility. The Refuge offers a variety of activities including nature trails, rock climbing and even guided tours, along with lakes that have largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and sunfish for angling.

What’s your favorite camping destination near Oklahoma City? Share your top spots with fellow residents in the comments section below!