Cedar Lake (Oklahoma)
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.
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
- Site 062, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop HCLF, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 017, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 020, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 008, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 018, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site GC 1, Loop North Shore, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site GC 2, Loop North Shore, Type Group Standard Area Nonelectric
- Site E017, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E014, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 014, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 001, Loop HCLF, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 028, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 004, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 060, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 030, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 016, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 027, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 004, Loop HCLG, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 035, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site E012, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 040, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 032, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site E007, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 007, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 013, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 003, Loop HCLF, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 033, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 056, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site E015, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E010, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 041, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 061, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 072, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site E002, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 065, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 007, Loop HCLF, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 049, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site E011, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E003, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 011, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 058, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 066, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 001, Loop HCLG, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E006, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 007, Loop HCLG, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 059, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site E009, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 015, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E019, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E018, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 005, Loop HCLG, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 055, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site E020, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 057, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 051, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 047, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 005, Loop HCLF, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E016, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 031, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 029, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 043, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 036, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 003, Loop HCLG, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 034, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 004, Loop HCLF, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 063, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 050, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 002, Loop HCLF, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 042, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Tent Only Nonelectric
- Site 053, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 026, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 003, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop HCLG, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 037, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 002, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site 045, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 039, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 002, Loop HCLG, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 019, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 012, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 054, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 038, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 044, Loop SANDY BEACH, Type Standard Electric
- Site 005, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site E001, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 064, Loop NORTH SHORE, Type Standard Nonelectric
- Site 006, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Nonelectric
- Site E005, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 010, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E008, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E004, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site E013, Loop HCLE, Type Equestrian Electric
- Site 009, Loop HCMR, Type Equestrian Electric
