Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)

This was our third year visiting Cedar Lake. Absolutely love it here. Nice clean large sites. Plenty of shade trees. Several sites are right on the waters edge which we love. Phone reception is spotty but you can always get a signal in the equine campground. Has a small beach and is pet friendly.

Cedar Lake (Near Hodgen, SE Oklahoma) is a cozy, tranquil lake tucked away in the Winding Stair Mountains of the Ouachita National Forest. There are four campgrounds around the lake, including a very nice equestrian campground with 70 miles of marked horseback riding trails.
Heads up: none of the campgrounds have sewer hookups, if that is important to you.

We stayed at Sandy Beach campground, site 34, which has electric (15, 30, 50 amp) and good water pressure. The pads are wide concrete so plenty of space to spread out and no little pea gravel to track inside the camper! Incredible lakeside views with direct access for shore fishing. Shady site with sturdy picnic tables that have a great design we had not seen before, two light poles, and a fish-cleaning station. Total cell dead zone, but Starlink worked perfectly.

North Shore campground sites have no electric and community water but fabulous lake access and—surprise! —cell coverage.
Shady Lane campground is just up the road from Sandy Beach and a bit smaller and set back from the lake, but offers water and electric at every site.

There is a nice fishing dock nearby, playground for the kids, and a small swimming beach. LOTS of campers brought their kayaks and were out on the lake all day. Nice paved roads made it a super place to ride our e-bikes.

Checking in is not required. There are 21 sites and your reservations, plus upcoming reservations, are posted on each site and the camp host is very attentive and super helpful.

Bathrooms were dated but fairly clean. There was a family bathroom as well.

Be aware Poison Ivy is everywhere. Fortunately, it doesn’t encroach on the easy 3-mile trail around the lake or in the campsite and I came home rash free!

Heavener Runestone Park is only 25 miles north and worth a trip to see the the runestone and explore the beautiful trails. We also recommend eating at Warehouse Willy's in Poteau and exploring the fabulous Leflore County Museum.

Equine camp host was WONDERFUL!

Great, quiet camping. Our campground had the water heater break a week or two before we came, so we had to go to another campground that had hot water for showers. Camp hosts were very helpful and available. Great restaurants within 15 minutes of the park: Southern Belle, Mamaw B’s, a very good Mexican restaurant. Antique shops in nearly every nearby town.

Cedar Lake is the best lake for perch fishing and enjoying the quiet woods.

Fishing and relaxing are the best here at Cedar Lake.

Very clean all throughout the campground. Quiet with great views. Great fishing. I tented. Very level pads in all sites in the beach area. Ran an extension cord for electric heater.

I stayed in the equestrian camp. I was impressed with the respectfulness of the quiet hours, the camp host’s checking that all was OK, and the cleanliness of the restroom/shower house.

This was our 11th trip back to Cedar Lake. We absolutely love it. Great campsites, great trails and a wonderful camp host. Making plans to go back in November!

This time of year was beautiful. The dogwoods were blooming and the trees were just starting to leaf out so we could still see the mountain views. The weather was great and the camp host is very friendly.