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Ouachita/Cedar Lake
Overview
Cedar Lake National Recreation Area, located near Heavener, Oklahoma, offers a serene escape within the vast Ouachita National Forest. This destination is centered around a beautiful 86-acre lake, providing a quiet backdrop for travelers looking to reconnect with nature. Unlike bustling commercial parks, this area prioritizes preservation and a rustic atmosphere, making it a staple for those exploring the scenic southeastern corner of the state while enjoying a peaceful lakeside camping experience.
Location & Surroundings
Nestled at the foot of the Winding Stair Mountains, the park is surrounded by dense pine and hardwood forests. The elevation provides slightly cooler temperatures and breathtaking views of the rugged Oklahoma landscape. Its proximity to the Talimena National Scenic Byway makes it an ideal basecamp for those planning to drive the winding mountain ridges, especially during the vibrant fall foliage season when the colors are truly spectacular.
Amenities & Park Features
The park offers two distinct camping areas, with the North Shore area providing RV-friendly sites equipped with water and electric hookups. Visitors can utilize clean restroom facilities and hot showers, ensuring a comfortable stay in the wilderness. For recreation, the park features the following:
- A designated swimming beach for summer cooling
- Multiple boat ramps for no-wake lake access
- Several picnic pavilions and grills for outdoor dining
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Anglers frequent the lake for its abundance of largemouth bass and catfish, while hikers can access miles of trails that weave through the Winding Stair Mountain area. Just a short drive away, the Heavener Runestone Park offers a glimpse into local mystery and history. Whether you are bird watching along the shoreline or exploring the extensive equestrian trails found in the surrounding forest, there is no shortage of outdoor immersion.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for nature enthusiasts and those seeking a quiet, unplugged experience away from highway noise. It is a fantastic choice for families who enjoy traditional camping activities like fishing and swimming in a controlled environment. Because of its scenic location, it is also perfectly suited for photographers and hikers who want direct access to some of the most beautiful mountainous terrain in the region.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Rebecca Penland
My son and I go all the time!! It's so peaceful! Plenty of spots to camp! Big and private and clean! I love camping and hiking! You can do even more. Bring your horse and camp!! I'm dying to do that and I will! Kayaking and fishing, swimming, bike riding! It's an amazing beautiful place!
Lauren Cochran
Pretty campground, clean bathrooms, nice little swimming area. Trail around the lake needs some maintenance and we noted poison ivy right up against our tent site so that took away a little since we had toddlers who wanted to explore. Overall great camping area, love that each site has a grill, picnic table, and an extra little table for prep!
Tammy Clark
The south shore has electric and water and nice concrete pads. The shower house takes awhile to warm up and the cell service is bad. Could get text and calls but no interest search.
Dena Dasenbrock
We stayed at the North Shore campground, site 54, March 7-15, 2025. This is a rustic campground, in that the sites do not have electric or water, but there is running water in the bath houses/restrooms, and there are water spigots throughout the campground. It is very quiet and peaceful, very well maintained, clean, and there is no unnecessary lighting around the campground - no giant poles with bright lights along the road or at the buildings. The minimal lighting is a huge plus for us!! The camp hosts are awesome, and so is their dog, Buddy, who paid us a visit that we thoroughly enjoyed. I'm rating it at 4 stars ONLY because I would have liked to know, prior to booking online, that my site was merely a stone's throw from the boat ramp and trailer parking. No one was disruptive, but it would have been nice to know before hand.
Ann Jones
This is by far my favorite camping area. It's family and dog friendly. The tent sites on North Shore are very spacious and clean. The bathrooms have showers and are kept pretty clean. The swimming areas are nice. I highly recommend this place.