The best campgrounds near McAlester, Oklahoma with climbing

Looking to go camping near McAlester, Oklahoma and indulge in some climbing? Look no further than Chivalry Friesians Ranch (55 reviews), Robbers Cave Stables (51 reviews), and Mana Farm Davis (21 reviews), you can trust that you'll have a great camping experience. Plus, with popular amenities like trash disposal, pet-friendly accommodations, and campfires allowed, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. So grab your gear and get ready to conquer the rocks!

100% (14)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Winding Stair

97%

(19)

43mi from McAlester · 1 site · Tent, RV · Talihina, OK

Primitive camping on 35 acres of big trees and rocks. Secluded spots with level, cleared areas are available for tent campers and parking. Park near main road and camp close to your vehicle. Or park and pack down deeper into the woods for a wilderness adventure. Follow a wildlife path or blaze your own trail. The property has sloped and shelved areas. Several options are available for vehicle access. Busses, smaller campers, and vans may choose pull in locations with option to stay hitched or park separately. Motorhomes, RV, and 5th wheelers may use a pull through loop that offers easy in and out for vehicles up to 40ft. We typically have been only booking one group at a time, to provide a private camping experience. However, with the increase in booking requests, we occasionally accept more. When requesting a date block, let us know what kind of experience you are looking for, so we may better accommodate you. Hike into woods with all your gear for isolation? Live out of your self contained camper? Park your vehicle closer to road and tent pad? Rig sleeping hammocks in tall trees? Need string lights and a fire ring? A vintage van to lounge in and watch TV? Let us know! There is room to accommodate large camping groups with multiple vehicles. Free firewood is always available. Near the fire rings, you will find some stacked wood and tinder. You may collect more from forest floor. Nearby attractions and amenities : 4 miles to Lake Talihina and Carl Albert 5 miles to town with local shopping Ice, fuel, water. Farmers market, restaurants, and bar. Laundry, banking, library and hospital. Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area is a United States national recreation area in the Ouachita National Forest. State Highway 1, known as the Talimena Scenic Byway, bisects the recreation area. U. S. Highway 271 loops up through the summit. Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area and the nearby Upper Kiamichi River and Black Fork Mountain Wilderness areas were created by an act of Congress on October 18, 1988. The recreational area consists of 26,445 acres (107.02 km2), comprising the Winding Stair Mountains, several campgrounds, an 85 acres (340,000 m2) lake and many hiking trails. It lies mostly within LeFlore County, Oklahoma. A 45-mile (72 km) section of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes through the recreation area providing for diverse hiking opportunities. Also Nearby: Buffalo Mountain Hang Gliding Bigfoot Museum Shooting range Robbers Cave Sardis Lake Clayton Lake Lake Talihina and Lake Carl Albert Canoeing at Broken Bow Lake Fall Foliage Festival in Talihina Rune Stone, Heavener Choctaw Council House, Tuskahoma Choctaw Labor Day Festival Spiro Indian Mounds in Spiro Boom in the valley in July Little River Speedway World's highest hill at Cavanal Forestry Heritage Center Owner on-site

2. Robbers Cave State Park

86%

(7)

98 sites · Wilburton, Oklahoma

If you're a rock climber, naturalist, or outlaw this state park is gonna become your go-to spot!

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Looking to go camping near McAlester, Oklahoma and indulge in some climbing? Look no further than Chivalry Friesians Ranch (55 reviews), Robbers Cave Stables (51 reviews), and Mana Farm Davis (21 reviews), you can trust that you'll have a great camping experience. Plus, with popular amenities like trash disposal, pet-friendly accommodations, and campfires allowed, you'll have everything you need for a comfortable stay. So grab your gear and get ready to conquer the rocks!

100% (14)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Winding Stair

97%

(19)

43mi from McAlester · 1 site · Tent, RV · Talihina, OK

Primitive camping on 35 acres of big trees and rocks. Secluded spots with level, cleared areas are available for tent campers and parking. Park near main road and camp close to your vehicle. Or park and pack down deeper into the woods for a wilderness adventure. Follow a wildlife path or blaze your own trail. The property has sloped and shelved areas. Several options are available for vehicle access. Busses, smaller campers, and vans may choose pull in locations with option to stay hitched or park separately. Motorhomes, RV, and 5th wheelers may use a pull through loop that offers easy in and out for vehicles up to 40ft. We typically have been only booking one group at a time, to provide a private camping experience. However, with the increase in booking requests, we occasionally accept more. When requesting a date block, let us know what kind of experience you are looking for, so we may better accommodate you. Hike into woods with all your gear for isolation? Live out of your self contained camper? Park your vehicle closer to road and tent pad? Rig sleeping hammocks in tall trees? Need string lights and a fire ring? A vintage van to lounge in and watch TV? Let us know! There is room to accommodate large camping groups with multiple vehicles. Free firewood is always available. Near the fire rings, you will find some stacked wood and tinder. You may collect more from forest floor. Nearby attractions and amenities : 4 miles to Lake Talihina and Carl Albert 5 miles to town with local shopping Ice, fuel, water. Farmers market, restaurants, and bar. Laundry, banking, library and hospital. Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area is a United States national recreation area in the Ouachita National Forest. State Highway 1, known as the Talimena Scenic Byway, bisects the recreation area. U. S. Highway 271 loops up through the summit. Winding Stair Mountain National Recreation Area and the nearby Upper Kiamichi River and Black Fork Mountain Wilderness areas were created by an act of Congress on October 18, 1988. The recreational area consists of 26,445 acres (107.02 km2), comprising the Winding Stair Mountains, several campgrounds, an 85 acres (340,000 m2) lake and many hiking trails. It lies mostly within LeFlore County, Oklahoma. A 45-mile (72 km) section of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail passes through the recreation area providing for diverse hiking opportunities. Also Nearby: Buffalo Mountain Hang Gliding Bigfoot Museum Shooting range Robbers Cave Sardis Lake Clayton Lake Lake Talihina and Lake Carl Albert Canoeing at Broken Bow Lake Fall Foliage Festival in Talihina Rune Stone, Heavener Choctaw Council House, Tuskahoma Choctaw Labor Day Festival Spiro Indian Mounds in Spiro Boom in the valley in July Little River Speedway World's highest hill at Cavanal Forestry Heritage Center Owner on-site

2. Robbers Cave State Park

86%

(7)

98 sites · Wilburton, Oklahoma

If you're a rock climber, naturalist, or outlaw this state park is gonna become your go-to spot!

Pets

Potable water

Toilets

Public campgrounds near McAlester

Stories from the community

K

Kelly

October 2025

Tent

With kids

Weekend Trip to Winding Stair

Jeana had great communication! She answered all my questions leading up to our reservation. She also gave me lots of great information about the campsite and what was available or what we would need to bring ourselves. Although we did not get to stay at her place in the end, which was entirely on our end, we do plan on doing so in the future. We were absolutely happy with Jeana, her communication, information provided, questions answered and her follow up.

T

Tracey

January 2025

Tent

2 nights at Winding Stair

I had an amazing time staying here. Things didn't work out how I planned, due to the weather. The host was extremely helpful and verg accomodating with the changes. But it was a beautiful place with an amazing view. It's still a bit of a work in progress, but I'm excited to see when it's all done. Me and Vincent very much enjoyed our stay. 😊😊

S

Sarah

January 2025

22 ft campervan

With pets

3 nights at Winding Stair

Jeana is an awesome host. The camping spot is a wooded mountainside with plenty of room to explore and roam. The dogs loved it and we had a great time! There's a cabin and established RV spot being built on the land.

Heather

December 2024

Tent

With kids

2 nights at Winding Stair

Loved tent camping here. lots of places to set up. But my favorite part was being able to have our dogs off leash. I would definitely stay here again.