Winding Stair Campground
Ouachita National Forest
Write a Review Talimena Scenic Drive Hodgen, OK 74939 580-494-6402 501-321-5202 Official WebsiteGPS: 34.714, -94.6778
Overview of Winding Stair Campground
Last Price Paid: $8
Reported by SelenaH on 4/20/2024
Longest RV Reported: 34 feet (Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel)
Reported by SelenaH on 4/20/2024
Number of Sites 23
Open Seasonally Yes
Elevation 1,935 ft / 589 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes
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Q&A - Ask the Community about Winding Stair Campground
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 580-494-6402
SlowYourRollRV asked on 4/12/2021
Are there posted check-in and check-out times for Winding Stair Campground?
Reviews of Winding Stair Campground 14 people have reviewed this location.
“Beautiful but Big Rigs Not Recommended”
Reviewed 4/20/2024
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | 20 |
RV Length: | 34' (Toy Hauler Fifth Wheel) |
Amazing place, but not for big rigs due to low and encroaching trees. We got in here w our 13’ fifth wheel, but we wouldn’t recommend it and are concerned about getting out. We were able to back into a pull thru site well enough. The concern is the 2 mile drive back east down highway 1. With the low and encroaching branches, we won’t b... more
Amazing place, but not for big rigs due to low and encroaching trees. We got in here w our 13’ fifth wheel, but we wouldn’t recommend it and are concerned about getting out. We were able to back into a pull thru site well enough. The concern is the 2 mile drive back east down highway 1. With the low and encroaching branches, we won’t be able to stay on our side of the road to avoid them and the tight turns make a lot of blind spots. Thankfully, the road is only lightly trafficked. Had we scouted ahead on this one, we wouldn’t have brought our fifth wheel here. The campground itself is beautiful and hardly anyone else came in during the 5 nights we were there. There were only 4 of us max at any given time. No water. No electric. No sewer. LOTS of trees. Pit toilets. Self pay station. $8/night for single sites. $14/night for double sites. There are 4 double sites marked on the pay station map. Each single site has a picnic table, fire ring, charcoal grill and tall counter next to the grill. Each site also has 2 poles w hooks on either side of the picnic table to allow for a tarp, string lights, or anything else. All camping site driveways and roads are paved. Some sites have concrete around picnic tables and higher accessible fire pits. Be aware - picnic tables have little holes in the pipes that wasps love to make nests in. We had about 8 wasps come out of ours. Come w all supplies because the nearest stores are a drive. Be sure to walk over to Emerald Vista. It’s beautiful! Cell coverage for Verizon was 2 bars of 5G. ATT was 4 bars 4G LTE. We were able to get Starlink to work pretty well from site 20. May have some interruptions w streaming or Zooms, but we clocked it at 140 mb download. Not much sun for solar due to shade. We had to run the generator more than we like. We are happy that we stayed, but w the big rig and low trees, we prob won’t return. If we had a travel trailer or were tent camping, this place would be great!! Truly enjoyed the short hike up to Winding Stair Mountain and the dark and quiet stay.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great small campground in Quachita National Forest”
Reviewed 10/23/2022
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 15 |
RV Length: | 13' (Teardrop Trailer) |
I stayed here last November and was happy to come back. This is a no-reservations campground so I worried a little about getting a spot on a nice autumn weekend but it was never more than half full during my weekend stay. It is situated in a beautiful area up on the mountain along the Talimena Scenic highway. Almost all the sites are s... more
I stayed here last November and was happy to come back. This is a no-reservations campground so I worried a little about getting a spot on a nice autumn weekend but it was never more than half full during my weekend stay. It is situated in a beautiful area up on the mountain along the Talimena Scenic highway. Almost all the sites are surrounded by trees. As other reviewers have noted, there is no water or electricity, but it has two nice clean vault toilets. The campground was very quiet at night. Sites vary in length but I saw at least one large motorhome that fit into one of the sites and there are a few "double" sites (higher cost) and at least two pull-through sites. All the sites have paved driveways as well as tent areas. Most of the sites seem to be fairly level. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There are also some grills but at the two sites I've stayed at (15 this time and 5 last year) the grill had rusted and appears about to fall off of the pole. The Winding Stair Campground also has a hike-in area for backpackers and the campground is just off the Quachita Trail. It is easy to access the trail from the campground. Be sure to also take in the view from the Emerald Vista viewpoint that is adjacent to the campground and connected by a sidewalk.
Lee Hughes would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet little Gem”
Reviewed 10/9/2022
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 19 |
This is our 2nd time camping here. My son and I tent camp or hammock camp most of the time. This site is quiet and cozy. Now, despite what some places say, THERE IS NO WATER. So take that in mind. You will have to bring your own. The place is never full. The first time we came we saw a max of 3 other sites taken. This last time about ... more
This is our 2nd time camping here. My son and I tent camp or hammock camp most of the time. This site is quiet and cozy. Now, despite what some places say, THERE IS NO WATER. So take that in mind. You will have to bring your own. The place is never full. The first time we came we saw a max of 3 other sites taken. This last time about maybe 8 or less spots taken out of over 20. I believe there was a HUGE bike rally in Arkansas near by and that was because of that. The road was busy this last weekend but that is not normal when there is nothing going on near by. The campground has 2 pit toilets and they were CLEAN. On top of all of this, this camp site is in a national forest. The drive up to the site is GORGEOUS!! when coming from the west. So if you come in from the east make sure to travel the rest of the road later after you get settled. There are many look out points and stops along that side. All is all.....Awesome campground!
camper-750932 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great little campground”
Reviewed 4/6/2022
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
RV Length: | 20' (Class B) |
Camped here on a weekend in April and only one third of the sites were taken. Nicely spaced sites with table, fire ring, a couple of pull-thru sites. 2 vault toilets that were clean. NO Water. Located only a very scenic byway that had very little traffic on it. We felt we had the place to ourselves. A couple of hiking trails leav... more
Camped here on a weekend in April and only one third of the sites were taken. Nicely spaced sites with table, fire ring, a couple of pull-thru sites. 2 vault toilets that were clean. NO Water. Located only a very scenic byway that had very little traffic on it. We felt we had the place to ourselves. A couple of hiking trails leave right from the campground.
Eileen would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice and quiet ”
Reviewed 2/11/2022
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | 7 |
We had a little trouble getting here. They had an ice storm last week and it left trees down in the road. We pulled one over to the side with the truck to get buy. When we got to the campground we found out no water.
All of that just makes for a nice adventure. We will be back.
2Dux would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great Quiet Weekend”
Reviewed 12/4/2021
Nightly rate: | $4 |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 11 |
RV Length: | 24' (Travel Trailer) |
Great quiet campground. Very little traffic. It was windy Friday and Saturday. May have kept some away. Sunday was beautiful. Plenty of level sites. Easy in and out. Couple of pit toilets that smelled pretty bad. We didn't even go inside one. Rest of the park is very clean. No water or power. But thats why we came. To get away from eve... more
Great quiet campground. Very little traffic. It was windy Friday and Saturday. May have kept some away. Sunday was beautiful. Plenty of level sites. Easy in and out. Couple of pit toilets that smelled pretty bad. We didn't even go inside one. Rest of the park is very clean. No water or power. But thats why we came. To get away from everyone. There was a few TV stations. Just more insurance adds. Didn't watch it.T-Mobile was adequate for us. Tried to stay off it. Great place on the ridge with some great views.
PaulFa would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great little special spot”
Reviewed 10/21/2021
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 5 |
Loved this spot… peaceful, quiet and could take a short walk to the Emerald Vista point to check out the expansive view. Only about 1/3 of the sites were occupied. Would definitely stay again.
Dikala21 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Excellent hidden gem ”
Reviewed 9/11/2021
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 0 |
Site Number: | 6 |
Very private, quiet campsite. There was only one other camper when we arrived, amazing for a Saturday night mid September. Excellent level shady spots with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern post. Vault toilets available. It is $8 a night, $16 for a double spot and half off if you have the passes that qualify. Excellent value... more
Very private, quiet campsite. There was only one other camper when we arrived, amazing for a Saturday night mid September. Excellent level shady spots with a fire ring, picnic table, and lantern post. Vault toilets available. It is $8 a night, $16 for a double spot and half off if you have the passes that qualify.
Excellent value in a very scenic area. Overlook and hiking trails originate in the campground. T-Mobile service was amazing
Louise would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Very pleasant surprise.”
Reviewed 5/16/2021
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Great dry camping location. Clean vault toilets, clean grounds that need mowing. Small campground with multiple size options. NO WATER AVAILABLE!! Sites are level but low hanging branches are a real problem and severely limit options for anything over 9 ft tall. Sites are spacious, have picnic tables, prep tables, lantern hooks, g... more
Great dry camping location. Clean vault toilets, clean grounds that need mowing. Small campground with multiple size options. NO WATER AVAILABLE!! Sites are level but low hanging branches are a real problem and severely limit options for anything over 9 ft tall. Sites are spacious, have picnic tables, prep tables, lantern hooks, grills, fire rings with grill grates and tent pads along with space for rv’s or extra vehicles. Great hiking right from campground (see Mountain Top Loop Trail), beautiful overlook. Very quiet, scarcely used hidden gem. Single sites $8, double sites $14- must stay first night, first come first serve.
Tammy would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Solo female traveler”
Reviewed 10/14/2020
Nightly rate: | $8 |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 6 |
I felt completely safe here. There are about 20 campsites and 4 were occupied. It was very quiet and clean. I didnt have any issue with stick bugs like the previous review so maybe that is over. I have ATT 5G and had one bar of service, was able to watch a movie without issue. No flush toilet or showers, and the pay system is hono... more
I felt completely safe here. There are about 20 campsites and 4 were occupied. It was very quiet and clean. I didnt have any issue with stick bugs like the previous review so maybe that is over. I have ATT 5G and had one bar of service, was able to watch a movie without issue. No flush toilet or showers, and the pay system is honor (although Im sure the ranger comes through). Would def stay here again!
Nicole would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- recreation trail
Site Amenities
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
- trash
- water available
Pets
- pets
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