[okcali]

I loved Turner Falls or Beavers Bend State Park. Going back, I would choose Beavers Bend..

[Talisman09]

Originally Posted by TedH71

Bought a tent and am trying to bring the wife into the camping outdoors lifestyle :-) was thinking state parks first. Any suggestions? Also would like to go camping in the mountains. Any ideas? We will have two small children with us.

Here are some picks where I have personally camped or I have spent a great deal of time.

Spavinaw State Park. 212 miles from your location in NE Oklahoma. Google it. " Camping facilities in the park include 26 RV sites, 75 tent sites, comfort stations, showers, two covered shelters, a playground and swimming area in the river. Families with small children especially enjoy this park for the shallow water in the swimming area."

Illinois River. During the summer the river can be a fun float experience. Seventy-five miles of clear Ozark highlands stream that flows into Tenkiller lake. There are numerous canoe rental and camping businesses on the river.
"Riverside" is the furtherest upstream canoe rental and campground and probably the easiest for a family with kids. Weekends can get very crowded and noisy. Go mid-week if you can. 250 from your location.

Green Leaf State Park. Small lake in the low mountains just south of Muskogee Oklahoma. Kid friendly place. Lots of tent and RV camping. Hiking trails, swimming area, small marina with rental boats. 225 miles away.

Cedar Lake. Small lake, 86 acres in the mountains of the Ouachita National Forest. Excellent highly improved camping and restroom facilities. Equestrian camp is outstanding. Hiking trails, two swimming areas. Talimena Scenic drive is 10 miles up the mountain. Well worth the trip if you want into the "real mountains of Oklahoma".

btw; The annual Big Foot Festival is held in Honobia, south of Talihina, or across two mountains from Cedar Lake. Google Big foot festival in Honobia for more information on the festival.

If you are looking for a real primitive camping experience, the Ouachita National Forest down here in SE Oklahoma extends into Arkansas with 1,784,457 acres available. There are improved campsites (Emerald Vista on Talimena Drive) and unimproved wilderness camping. Your kids should probably be "veteran campers" before tackling the miles and miles of back pack trails and deep forest camping in the area. Bears are numerous, as are deer, turkey and other wildlife.