Winding Stair Campground (OK)
Campground · Oklahoma · 24 bookable sites ·
Managed by the USDA Forest Service
Ouachita National Forest (NF) · Open Access
- 24
- Bookable sites
- up to 6
- People per site
- 1,914 ft
- Elevation
Overview
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.
Recreation
The Winding Stair Campground is the only campground in Oklahoma along with Talimena Scenic Byway that provides developed campsites. Located along the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), the campground serves as a trailhead for the OT.
Facilities
Developed RV/Tent campsites, paved roadway and campsites, vault toilets. Currently there is not water available at the campground. No electricity available at campground.
Natural Features
Mountain top and valley views can be seen from Emerald Vista located adjacent to the campground. All campsites in the campground are well shaded.
Contact Info
For facility specific information, please call (918) 653-2991.Nearby Attractions
Ouachita National Recreation Trail: https://friendsoftheouachita.org/wp/
Cedar Lake Recreation Area, Campground and Equestrian Camp
Talimena Scenic Byway
Charges & Cancellations
Once payment is made on-site, we do not offer refunds or modifications.
The facts
- 24 bookable sites
- 25 sites in total, including non-bookable
- Up to 6 people per site
- Loops: Scan & Pay, Winding Stair
Site types
- 24 Standard Nonelectric
- 1 Management
Amenities
- Campfires allowed
- Shade
- Pets allowed
- Water hookups — not available
Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, sewer hookups, fire pits, picnic tables, grills.
25 campsites at Winding Stair Campground (OK)
Check-in 02:00 PM · Check-out 01:30 PM
| Site | Loop | Type | Entry | Surface | Access | Max rig | People | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Backpackers Camp -Tent Only | Scan & Pay | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Hike In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| Scan and Pay Double | Scan & Pay | Management | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 01 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 02 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 03 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 04 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 05 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 06 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 07 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 08 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 09 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 10 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 11 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 12 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 13 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 14 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 15 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 16 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 17 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 18 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 19 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 20 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 21 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 22 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
| 23 | Winding Stair | Standard Nonelectric | — | — | Drive In | — | 6 | 🐾 |
Getting there
The campground is located on the Talimena Scenic Drive (Oklahoma State Highway 1), two miles west of US Highway 259 junction.
34.71446, -94.67509 · 34°42'52.1"N 94°40'30.3"W
Typical weather
Typically 93°F in Jul, down to 51°F in Jan.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 51 | 56 | 63 | 72 | 79 | 88 | 93 | 93 | 86 | 76 | 64 | 53 |
| Low °F | 27 | 32 | 39 | 47 | 59 | 68 | 71 | 69 | 61 | 50 | 39 | 31 |
| Precip in | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 15.8 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.
Map
Fees and stay limits
Honor box is available for payment. Scan & Pay with credit card or debit card is an option as well.
From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.
More photos
Member photos
Common questions about Winding Stair Campground (OK)
- Can you reserve a site at Winding Stair Campground (OK)?
- Yes, Winding Stair Campground (OK) is reservable through Recreation.gov.
- How many campsites does Winding Stair Campground (OK) have?
- 25 sites in total, of which 24 can be booked.
- Are pets allowed at Winding Stair Campground (OK)?
- Yes, pets are allowed at Winding Stair Campground (OK).
- Does Winding Stair Campground (OK) have hookups?
- No hookups are recorded here.
- Are campfires allowed at Winding Stair Campground (OK)?
- Campfires are allowed at Winding Stair Campground (OK). Check for a current fire restriction before you go.
Also listed by
Winding Stair Campground (OK) also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Winding Stair Campground (OK)'s operator.
USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026
- Campground: Backpacker's camp- $3/night
- Single sites- $8/night
- Double sites- $14/night
Restrictions:
- Current fees and regulations are posted at the self-service pay station.
Camping near Winding Stair Campground (OK)
- Cedar Lake (Oklahoma) 3.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Little Pines Campground 25.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Potato Hills Central 37.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Potato Hills South 37.4 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Little Coon Creek Park 41.2 mi · Campground · we watch it
- Billy Creek Recreation Area 3.6 mi · Campground
- Oklahoma Ranger District 4 mi · Facility
- Cedar Lake Recreation Area 4.5 mi · Campground
- Mena/Oden Ranger District 27.6 mi · Facility
- Poteau/Cold Springs Ranger District 34.3 mi · Facility
- Sugar Creek Hiking 40.5 mi · Facility
- Sugar Creek Multiuse 40.5 mi · Facility
Contact
- Book Recreation.gov
Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.
Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.
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