Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)

Ouachita National Forest

Cedar Lake is located in southeast Oklahoma, in the pine and hardwood-forested mountains of the Ouachita National Forest. The campground is situated on the shores of the scenic lake, a popular destination for boating, fishing, horseback riding and hiking.

The campground offers a variety of sites, including equestrian, group and family sites. Shady Lane (SHRV) sites have electric and water hookups; Sandy Beach sites have electric and water connections; North Shore family sites are basic campsites with community water spigots scattered through the area and no electrical connections. Most equestrian sites have electric and water connections at the campsites.

Picnic tables, grills, campfire rings and lantern posts are provided, as are flush toilets, warm showers and drinking water. Picnic pavilions are on-site. Horse corrals are located within the equestrian area.

Notifications and Alerts

Cedar Lake Recreation Area will be closed from December 19, 2024 through January 31, 2025 and will reopen February 1, 2025.
Reservations for this campground must be made at least 10 days in advance. If you do not have a reservation and are paying upon arrival, you may pay at one of the kiosks located in each camping loop via cash, check, or money order.

Need to Know

Campers with horses must reserve sites in the equestrian loops only (HCLE and HCMR)
All horses must have proof of current Coggins test
Maximum outboard allowed on lake is 7.5 horsepower
If a reservation holder does not show up by 2:00 p.m. the day after their scheduled arrival date, the reservation is cancelled and the site is open for 'walk-ins.'
Check out the forest's campground description for specific information to Fish Your National Forest
Click here for more information on the Ouachita National Forest
Don't Move Firewood: Help protect our forests! Prevent the spread of tree-killing pests by obtaining firewood at or near your destination and burning it on-site. Moving firewood is illegal in some states. Visit dontmovefirewood.org to learn more.
Reservations must be made at least 10 days in advance of arrival.
No off road vehicles are allowed in the recreation area.
All dogs must be on a leash at all times while in the recreation area.
Vehicles must be parked on paved or gravel surfaces at all times. Additional parking is available at the bathhouses.
Quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, no generators may be used during quiet hours.

Natural Features

Cedar Lake covers 86 acres and is situated at an elevation of 900 feet. Fall foliage season usually occurs from the last two weeks in October to the first two weeks in November.

The Ouachita National Forest covers 1.8 million acres in central Arkansas and southeastern Oklahoma. The forest encompasses 700 miles of trails, 43 vistas, six wilderness areas and the highest elevations between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Rockies.

Nearby Attractions

Talimena National Scenic Byway is located 10 miles from the campground.

Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), western terminus trailhead is located at the Talihina State Park, 21 miles from the campground.

Heavener, Oklahoma, Heavener Runestone Park is located 14 miles from the campground.

Recreation

The campground is a popular starting point for the Winding Stair Mountain Equestrian Trails, a system of over 70 miles of marked horseback riding trails.

Hiking, swimming, boating and fishing on Cedar Lake are popular activities. A swimming area, boat ramp and fishing piers are available within the recreation area.

A hiking trail traverses around the the perimeter of Cedar Lake offering varied views of the lake and its tributaries.

The Talimena Scenic Byway is located within 10 miles of the campground, offering mountain top views of the valleys around Cedar Lake and historic sites along the way.

The Talihina State Park, the western terminus of the Ouachita National Recreation Trail (OT), is located 21 miles from the Cedar Lake Campground. The OT extends across the Forest for 192 miles, the longest continuous trail system on the Forest.

Kelly Branch Rifle Range is located 10 miles from the recreation area.

Cedar Lake Campground offers a wide variety of camping opportunities, from campsites with electric and water at the campsites, basic campsites with no electric or water at the campsites and tent sites.

Cedar Lake Equestrian Camp is one of the largest equestrian campgrounds in the Southern Region with amenities such as electrical/water connections and corrals at the campsites.

Changes & Cancellations

Refunds may be requested for the following:

Death
Medical emergency
Storm event
Mechanical

Contact Information

Mailing

US Forest Service - Ouachita National Forest Oklahoma Ranger District 52175 US Hwy 59 HOGDEN OK 74939

Physical Address

CEDAR LAKE CAMPGROUND 51663 CEDAR LAKE ROAD HODGEN OK 24939

Phone Number

For campground inquiries, please call: 918-653-2991

Rental Options

Learn more about gear rental options for your trip

Driving Directions

From Poteau, OK, take U.S. Highway 59 south approximately 22 miles to Holson Valley Road (10 miles south of Heavener). Turn right (west) onto Holson Valley Road and travel approximately 2.5 miles. Turn right (north) onto Cedar Lake Road and travel 1 mile to the camp boundary.

From Talihina, OK, take U.S. Highway 271 east toward Poteau for 11 miles. Turn right (east) onto Holson Valley Road and travel 19 miles to Cedar Lake Road. Turn left onto Cedar Lake Road.

Available Campsites

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