Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)
Cedar Lake is located in southeast Oklahoma, in the pine and hardwood-forested mountains of the Ouachita National Forest. The campground is situated on the shores of the scenic lake, a popular destination for boating, fishing, horseback riding and hiking.
More like this: electric hookups in Oklahoma · full hookups in Oklahoma · reservable in Oklahoma · big rigs in Oklahoma · pets allowed in Oklahoma · group sites in Oklahoma
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
active
Site mix
| equestrian electric | 47 |
| Standard, no hookups | 18 |
| Standard with electric | 17 |
| Equestrian | 6 |
| Tent-only | 4 |
| group standard area nonelectric | 2 |
| Host/management | 24 |
Site guide
Will my RV fit
The longest site here provides 62 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter.
94 sites in 7 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Power | Water / sewer | Waterfront | People / vehicles | Fires | Accessible | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E001 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| E002 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| E003 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| E004 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| E005 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| E006 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes | ||||
| E007 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 12 / 2 | Yes | ||||
| E008 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Back-in | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 12 / 2 | Yes | ||||
| E009 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Pull-through | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | 6 / 2 | Yes | |||||
| E010 | HCLE | Equestrian Electric | Pull-through | Paved | Partial | 30 amp | Yes / – | 6 / 1 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 1:30 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Hookups | Electric, water, sewer |
| Max vehicle length | 70 ft |
| Equipment | RVs & trailers, Tents |
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Tent pads | Yes |
| Accessibility | Sites , 014, 015, 050 and 2 more are listed accessible |
The campground offers a variety of sites, including equestrian, group and family sites. Shady Lane (SHRV) sites have electric and water hookups; Sandy Beach sites have electric and water connections; North Shore family sites are basic campsites with community water spigots scattered through the area and no electrical connections. Most equestrian sites have electric and water connections at the campsites. Picnic tables, grills, campfire rings and lantern posts are provided, as are flush toilets, warm showers and drinking water. Picnic pavilions are on-site. Horse corrals are located within the equestrian area.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Status | Open |
| Season | Year Round |
| Forest | Ouachita National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations must be made 10 days ahead of arrival. |
| Fees | Day Use areas: $5/vehicle OR $2/person (walk-in/bik-in/drop-off). Picnic Shelters: $5/vehicle (if not in camping area). Campgrounds: Single sites- $15/night. Single sites w/ electric- $20/night. Single sites w/ electric and sewer- $25/night. Double sites w/ electric- $40/night. |
| Rules | No motors larger than 7 1/2 horsepower are allowed. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation regulates fishing and hunting in Oklahoma. |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Poteau, OK, take U.S. Highway 59 south approximately 22 miles to Holson Valley Road (10 miles south of Heavener). Turn right (west) onto Holson Valley Road and travel approximately 2.5 miles. Turn right (north) onto Cedar Lake Road and travel 1 mile to the camp boundary. From Talihina, OK, take U.S.
| Nearest town | Hodgen, Oklahoma |
| Coordinates | 34.7586° N, 94.6944° W · Directions ↗ |
Charges and cancellations
- Refunds may be requested for the following:
- Death
- Medical emergency
- Storm event
- Mechanical
Fire nearby
- WildfireLake
49 mi from the campground · 105 acres · 50% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Dump station | Dump station ↗ | 40 mi |
| Outdoor gear | Gellco Outdoors ↗ | 43 mi |
| RV sales & service | Victory Lane Motors ↗ | 45.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Truck Camping - Cedar Lake - Hodgen, Oklahoma - Campground Tour
Trails nearby
- 0.4 miWsm Eq - 1006A2.3 mi trail
- 0.7 miWsm Eq - 1005 ↗7.3 mi trail
- 0.9 miWsm Eq - 10014.1 mi trail
- 0.9 miHorsethief - Hilltop0.4 mi trail
- 0.9 miWsm Eq - 1006 ↗7.1 mi trail
- 0.9 miHorsethief - Goldville Divide4.4 mi trail
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Ouachita National Forest begins about 5.4 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 5.4 miOuachita National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 2,724,422 acres
- 9 miUpper Kiamichi River Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 10,372 acres
- 12.5 miBlack Fork Mountain Wilderness ↗Wilderness · Forest Service · 13,347 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Old City Hall, Theater and Masonic LodgeBuilding · Heavener · 10.5 mi
- State Line MarkerObject · Mena · 14.3 mi
- Old Military RoadSite · Talihina · 14.4 mi
Natural features
Cedar Lake covers 86 acres and is situated at an elevation of 900 feet. Fall foliage season usually occurs from the last two weeks in October to the first two weeks in November. The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The forest encompasses 700 miles of trails, 43 vistas, six wilderness areas and the highest elevations between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Rockies.
Recreation
The campground is a popular starting point for the Winding Stair Mountain Equestrian Trails, a system of over 70 miles of marked horseback riding trails. Hiking, swimming, boating and fishing on Cedar Lake are popular activities. A swimming area, boat ramp and fishing piers are available within the recreation area. A hiking trail traverses around the perimeter of Cedar Lake offering varied views of the lake and its tributaries. The Talimena Scenic Byway is located within 10 miles of the campground, offering mountain top views of the valleys around Cedar Lake and historic sites along the way. The Talihina State Park, the western terminus of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), is located 21 miles from the Cedar Lake Campground. The OT extends across the Forest for 192 miles, the longest continuous trail system on the Forest. Kelly Branch Rifle Range is located 10 miles from the recreation area. Cedar Lake Campground offers a wide variety of camping opportunities, from campsites with electric and water at the campsites, basic campsites with no electric or water at the campsites and tent sites.
Nearby
Talimena National Scenic Byway is located 10 miles from the campground. Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), western terminus trailhead is located at the Talihina State Park, 21 miles from the campground. Heavener, Oklahoma, Heavener Runestone Park is located 14 miles from the campground.
Guidebooks for Oklahoma
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
Sites at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma) are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations must be made 10 days ahead of arrival. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
Day Use areas: $5/vehicle OR $2/person (walk-in/bik-in/drop-off). Picnic Shelters: $5/vehicle (if not in camping area). Campgrounds: Single sites- $15/night.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
Check-in 6:00 AM, checkout 10:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
Is Cedar Lake (Oklahoma) open right now?
Open as of Oct 16, 2026. Season Year Round.
Source: Forest Service status
How many sites does Cedar Lake (Oklahoma) have?
118 sites, including 47 equestrian electric, 18 standard sites without power, 17 standard sites with power, and 6 equestrian sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Will my RV fit at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
The longest site here provides 70 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.
Source: Will my RV fit
Does Cedar Lake (Oklahoma) have hookups?
Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are there showers or a dump station at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
Picnic tables, grills, campfire rings and lantern posts are provided, as are flush toilets, warm showers and drinking water.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
Yes, pets are allowed at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma). Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there is 1 active fire within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one. No motors larger than 7 1/2 horsepower are allowed.
Source: Fire nearby
Are there accessible sites at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
Sites , 014, 015, and 050 are listed accessible on Recreation.gov, 6 sites in all. What that covers (a paved pad, an accessible table, a nearby accessible restroom) is on each site's booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
What is there to do at Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)?
The campground is a popular starting point for the Winding Stair Mountain Equestrian Trails, a system of over 70 miles of marked horseback riding trails. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation