About Winding Stair Campground (OK)
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Hiking
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Reviews (22)
What Guests Are Saying
Winding Stair Campground offers a beautiful, serene setting with excellent views and easy access to nearby trails, making it an ideal base for exploration. The primitive campground features about twenty sites for $8 per day, though amenities are limited to pit toilets and no water. While some maintenance issues have been noted, such as overflowing trash bins and unclean facilities, many campers appreciate the tranquil atmosphere and picturesque surroundings.
What Guests Are Saying
Winding Stair Campground offers a beautiful, serene setting with excellent views and easy access to nearby trails, making it an ideal base for exploration. The primitive campground features about twenty sites for $8 per day, though amenities are limited to pit toilets and no water. While some maintenance issues have been noted, such as overflowing trash bins and unclean facilities, many campers appreciate the tranquil atmosphere and picturesque surroundings.
Review Summary
Gary G
October 26, 2025
None
Gary G
October 26, 2025
None
Andrew H
October 20, 2025
Not sure if it's due to the shutdown or the budget cuts, but the campground was visibly not being serviced. Vault toilets had insect nests and one of our party saw a mouse or rat in one of them. Trash bins all full and overflowing with people leaving trash by the full bins because there was no where else to put it. We packed some ours out instead of leaving it where bears could get into it, but someone really should be monitoring this location more closely.
Andrew H
October 20, 2025
Not sure if it's due to the shutdown or the budget cuts, but the campground was visibly not being serviced. Vault toilets had insect nests and one of our party saw a mouse or rat in one of them. Trash bins all full and overflowing with people leaving trash by the full bins because there was no where else to put it. We packed some ours out instead of leaving it where bears could get into it, but someone really should be monitoring this location more closely.
Justin Anderson
October 19, 2025
Amazing place to camp! 100% primitive, with amazing views and a nice dark sky. Clean facility, just limited options lol.
Emerald Vista gets a great sunrise, and Sunset Vista is right up the road for sunsets.
First come, first reserved. You can pay cash there for $8 a night or scan the QR code.
It's high enough up that you do get cell service, even though you usually lose it on the drive in.
Lots of hiking from the campground, and a nature center right up the road with a very mild hike.
maatrx
November 3, 2024
I was only able to stay Halloween night because the park closes down for the season on Nov 1. Yet my stay was great and very private. There were maybe 4-5 other campsites being used. Very nice setting and a great base for exploring the area.
James E
May 13, 2024
One of the best COE campgrounds ever!!!!!!!
James E
May 13, 2024
One of the best COE campgrounds ever!!!!!!!
Kelly M
May 11, 2024
Great campground with access to trails and viewpoint. We were able to get Starlink and solar from site 10. Clean bathrooms
Kelly M
May 11, 2024
Great campground with access to trails and viewpoint. We were able to get Starlink and solar from site 10. Clean bathrooms
Location Winding Stair Campground (OK)
Address:
Winding Stair Campground, Hwy 1, Talimena Scenic Byway
Hodgen, OK, 74939
United States
Winding Stair Campground is accessible via U.S. Highway 271, which is approximately 10 miles to the west. Additionally, State Highway 2 is nearby, providing further access to the region.
Latitude & Longitude: 34.7145 / -94.6751
Elevation: 584 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
- Campsites are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and payment can be made on-site.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Utilities
- There is no water available at the campground.
Nearby Campgrounds
Last updated: June 13, 2026
