NPS · Chickasaw National Recreation Area · Sulphur, OK

Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)

Central Campground is a family-friendly primitive group campground found in the Platt Historic District of Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Nearby Travertine Creek provides several refreshing, spring-fed swimming areas to escape the summer heat. Other close attractions, such as Little Niagara and the Travertine Nature Center make this campground an ideal location for both beginner and experienced campers. Central Campground is only a few minutes away from the town of Sulphur.

More like this: reservable in Oklahoma · tent only in Oklahoma · pets allowed in Oklahoma · group sites in Oklahoma

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)
Photos courtesy of Ron Snavely Jr, Ron Snavely, Ron Snavely JR · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Group tent areas9
Group sites1
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

10 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteTypeEntrySurfaceShadeWaterfrontPeople / vehiclesFires
1Group tentPavedPartialSprings30 / 8Yes
2Group tentPavedPartialSprings30 / 8Yes
3Group tentPavedPartialSprings30 / 8Yes
4Group tentPavedPartialSprings30 / 8Yes
5GroupBack-inPavedSprings10 / 8Yes
6Group tentPavedPartialSprings30 / 8Yes
7Group tentPavedPartialSprings30 / 8Yes
8Group tentPavedPartialSprings30 / 8Yes
9Group tentPavedSprings30 / 8Yes
10Group tentPavedSprings30 / 8Yes

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:30 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Campground map of Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)
Campground map published by National Park Service on Recreation.gov, credited to NPS photo. Open the image for full size.

Amenities & rules

Max vehicle length18 ft
EquipmentTents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

The group campground is on a loop that surrounds a spacious field for activities like volleyball, football or horseshoes. There are 10 group sites open seasonally, and water spigots are close to the campsites.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)30°40°50°60°70°80°90°January: 2.03 inches of precipitation, 1.0 inches of snowFebruary: 1.94 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowMarch: 3.62 inches of precipitation, 0.1 inches of snowApril: 3.74 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowMay: 5.55 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJune: 4.36 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowJuly: 3.71 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowAugust: 2.99 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowSeptember: 4.36 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowOctober: 3.99 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowNovember: 2.77 inches of precipitation, 0.0 inches of snowDecember: 2.74 inches of precipitation, 0.3 inches of snowJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 39.9°F averageFebruary: 44.2°F averageMarch: 52.8°F averageApril: 60.7°F averageMay: 69.1°F averageJune: 77.7°F averageJuly: 82.2°F averageAugust: 81.6°F averageSeptember: 74.1°F averageOctober: 62.6°F averageNovember: 51.2°F averageDecember: 42.2°F average0 in2 in4 in6 inTemp °FInches
The line is the average temperature and the bars are average precipitation at Chickasaw Nra, 1 mile from the campground at 1,047 feet, station USC00341745 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020. Precipitation totals about 42 inches a year. The dotted line is average snowfall, about 2 inches a year on the same inches scale.

Getting there

From I-35, take Exit 55 and drive towards the city of Davis, OK. Once in Davis, go east on Highway 7. Drive approximately 8 miles (13 km) east to Sulphur. (Jct Hwy 7 and Hwy 177). Turn south (right) for approximately.2 miles (.3 km) on Highway 177 and take the first left. Central Campground is.25 miles (.4 km) east on NE Perimeter Road.

Nearest townSulphur, Oklahoma
Coordinates34.5050° N, 96.9675° W · Directions ↗

Charges and cancellations

Refunds will not be given due to inclement weather.

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗1.1 mi
Outdoor gearOutdoor Expeditions Supply Company ↗48.1 mi
RV sales & serviceOklahoma Trailer Sales ↗50.3 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Video of Central Group Camp Chickasaw Nra, OK from Randi B.

On the National Register nearby

On Register Atlas →

Natural features

The springs and seeps in Chickasaw originate within a region of Oklahoma characterized by complex geologic formations. Intense faulting, folding, uplift and erosion have combined to form a land surface of gently rolling hills dissected by streams.

Recreation

Swimming and hiking are among the favorite activities at the campsite. A short walk takes you to Panther Falls, a refreshing swimming area. Nearby hiking and walking trails meander along streams, past cool rushing waterfalls, and on to mineral and freshwater springs.

Nearby

Try Little Niagara, a favorite freshwater swimming hole. The Travertine Nature Center is a wonderful resource to view nature exhibits, meet live animals on display, and listen to rangers' presentations. The park's bison pasture is nearby, so bring the kids and cameras to see the beautiful animals grazing.

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 Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)?

Sites at Central Group Camp (Chickasaw) are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)?

Check-in 2:30 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Central Group Camp (Chickasaw) have?

10 sites, including 9 group tent areas and 1 group site.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)?

The longest site here provides 18 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

Are pets allowed at Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)?

Yes, pets are allowed at Central Group Camp (Chickasaw). Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)?

FCC coverage maps show Verizon 4G LTE, AT&T 5G, and T-Mobile 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)?

Swimming and hiking are among the favorite activities at the campsite. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)?

Sulphur, Oklahoma. Try Little Niagara, a favorite freshwater swimming hole.

Source: Getting there

What if Central Group Camp (Chickasaw) is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Cold Springs Campground (Chickasaw) (under 0.1 mi), Rock Creek Group Camp (Chickasaw) (under 0.1 mi, partly first-come), and The Point Campground (Chickasaw) (4.3 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby

Which national park is Central Group Camp (Chickasaw) in?

Central Group Camp (Chickasaw) is a Chickasaw National Recreation Area campground. Entrance fees, alerts, and hours are on Park Atlas.

Source: Chickasaw National Recreation Area