Best Places To Camp In Oklahoma

When it comes to camping in Oklahoma, there are two camps of people in the conversation. Those who love it and those who hate it.

That may be very oversimplified, but it is what it is.

Growing up in the foothills of Rocky Mountain National Park, camping was just the summer norm for those of us in Boy Scouts Troop 835. The opportunities and campsites in the Centennial State are limitless, and the weather is overwhelmingly welcoming. If you camp high enough, those June thunderstorms are more snow and ice than rain.

After moving to Oklahoma at the start of adolescence, summer camping became a thing to dread.

Twice. I've camped twice under the summer moon in the Sooner State, and that's still two too many.

It's The Heat

It's just so dang hot here, even after the sun goes down. That's not to say the evening isn't nice to enjoy picking guitars around a campfire, but trying to catch a wink when it's 86° at 2 AM is impossible.

Granted, Dad grew up in SWOK and spent summers in his youth camping all across Oklahoma, so when we pitched a tent at Quartz Mountains State Park in August 1997, it was like a homecoming for him.

It was so hot that I'm pretty sure I hallucinated the vision of a raccoon peeking in at us trying to sleep.

Years later, I tried it again on one of those high school buddy trips around Memorial Day at Kaw Lake's Osage Cove Campground... Even that early in the season, it was too dang hot.

It's Not All Bad Camping In Oklahoma

Living in Lawton for so many years now, by choice mind you, I love being near the mountains. And the Wichita Mountains are close enough to the Rockies for me without the hassle of the endless economic, political, and anti-constitutional rights problems that plague Colorado... I just can't stand to stay a night in our mountains until the overnight temperatures hit the 50s.

I sleep hot, whatever.

I have thought about getting myself one of those air-conditioned campers to pull around, so I can once again enjoy camping year-round, but that's not camping. That's parking.

Tomato, Tomato

There Are A Few Exceptions

Whether you're new to Oklahoma, a seasoned veteran, a lifer, or entering a period where the outdoors is calling you, here are the best places to camp across Oklahoma.

If I didn't include your favorite spot, just know that it's impossible to recommend a place I haven't been before. But if you'd like to share your knowledge with me, shoot me a message.

Oklahoma's Best Camping Spots

Whether you love the heat of summer or would rather pitch a tent in the cool nights of the Oklahoma winter, here are a handful of Sooner State places sure to reconnect you with nature.

Gallery Credit: Kelso

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