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
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About Winding Stair Campground (OK)
Winding Stair Campground sits along the Talimena Scenic Byway. The mountain-top campground offers scenic views from Emerald Vista located adjacent to the campground. During the Spring and Fall seasons, cool mountain temperatures enhance the camping experience. The campground is open year-round and serves as a trailhead for the Ouachita National Recreation Trail. All RV/Tent campsites in the campground have paved surfaces and gravel tent pads for setting tents up at the site. The Backpackers Camp, located adjacent to the campground offer designated tent pads for tent placement.
This location is available on a first-come, first served basis only. Visitors are required to physiclaly arrive at the campground to purchase and claim a site. Once on-site, you can pay for your campsite(s) with cash, check, money order, or by scanning a QR code using the Recreaion.gov mobile app. Please download the Recreation.gov app prior to arrival as some remote areas have limited or no cell service.
Activities & Attractions
Nearby
Hiking
Year-round
Year-round
Hiking
Nearby
Seasonal information
2026
(Current year)
2026 Season availability
Current season
Upcoming seasons
Past seasons
Closed periods
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Currently open - Mar 1 to Nov 30
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Picnic Table
Restrooms
Fire Pit
Site Setup and Access
- Shaded Site
Water and Hygiene
- Restrooms
Cooking and Fire
- Picnic Table
- Grill
- Fire Pit
- Campfire Ring
Views and Setting
- View
Missing information?
Reviews
23 reviews
Summary
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.
Based on guest feedback
4.5
Overall rating
Based on 23 reviews
5 stars
78.3% (18)
4 stars
13.0% (3)
3 stars
0.0% (0)
2 stars
0.0% (0)
1 star
8.7% (2)
Showing 23 reviews
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OneMileAttaTime
May 16, 2022 Google Maps
Would I return? Absolutely!
My wife and I were passing through moto-camping, and we were searching for locations to hammock camp. Many campgrounds wanted a pricey sum to camp, AND the various campgrounds were FULL & atop of one another (crowded). We wanted quietness- peacefulness!
I came across this location recommended in another review, and we decided to stop by and see it... The reviewer said that rarely are there many people there, and if a number of campers were on site, the place WAS NOT full.
We arrived May 14th around 4pm; there were ONLY four other campers whom each were spaced FAR apart as if no one there!
We opted to sling our hammocks out by the turnaround/overlook as to catch the breezes to stay cool and keep flying pests at bay!
The campground charges an honor system $8/night.
Sites offer picnic table, grill, and hang pole.
There was absolutely NO, No noise from other campers such as music, laughter, driving around; no lights beaming, no passing traffic, NADA! SIMPLY BRILLIANT!
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Forgiven and Blessed
January 1, 2022 Google Maps
I took my grandkids & new gsd puppy camping up there between Christmas & New Years & it was amazing. We drove in around 2:00pm & the clouds were heavy on the mountain but it cleared up & was just beautiful. The next morning was just glorious. The weather was perfect & we had the campground to ourselves. This is now one of our favorite local road trips for a great camping adventure.
The water was off for the winter but the vault toilets were clean & nice.
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Location & Directions for Winding Stair Campground (OK)
Winding Stair Campground, Hwy 1, Talimena Scenic Byway, Hodgen, OK 74939 United States
Elevation: 584 ft
Highway access
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.
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.
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Last updated: October 7, 2026
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Explore Hodgen, OK
Population: 52
Nearby city: Fort Smith, AR
Approx. 49 mi away (straight-line distance)
Elevation: 541 ft
Hodgen, OK
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Managed by the USDA Forest Service