RV Camping in Oklahoma: The Complete Beginner's Guide

Discover why Oklahoma is the ideal place for RV travel with this list of tips and tricks for vacationing with your RV in the Sooner State.

Great Plains State Park in Mountain Park offers stunning views from its RV campsites.
Photo Credit: Lori Duckworth

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Hitting the road in your very own RV has always delivered the ultimate freedom in travel - you can take a detour on a whim, stay an extra day or drive to whatever vacation spot your heart desires. Embark on an RV trip in Oklahoma and you’ll find yourself spending less time worrying about travel hassles and more time actually enjoying your favorite destinations.

Whatever kind of RV vacation you seek, from a couples-only escape to a large family getaway, you can find it in Oklahoma. The state is packed with hundreds of RV opportunities, from small campgrounds nestled within scenic woodlands to flourishing resorts packed with amenities and attractions.

Overview: RV Camping in Oklahoma

Whether you tackle a specific route or let the open road guide your adventure, travelers will find great destinations for RVs in Oklahoma. With the longest remaining stretch of Route 66 in Oklahoma, there’s no better RV vacation for travelers seeking roadside charm and never-ending nostalgia than the Mother Road.

If it’s a connection with nature you seek, you’ll find more than two dozen state parks ready to welcome RV travelers with sites featuring waterfront or woodsy views, easy access to hiking trails and natural beauty at every turn. Several state parks are also connected by breathtakingly scenic drives, so you can enjoy the journey just as much as the destination.

Hit the Oklahoma roads in an RV and you can stop along the way to swim under a waterfall or even try your luck at a casino. You’ll also find unique RV sites in Oklahoma, like the Corral Drive-In RV Park in Guymon where you can watch the latest flick from the comfort of your own RV or the Twin Fountains RV Park in Oklahoma City where you can relax in the on-site hot tub while your kids play on the splash pad.

Oklahoma’s RV Hot Spots

With world-class attractions scattered throughout the state, you’ll never want to stop exploring Oklahoma. However, when you need to finally park and rest your weary eyes, there are hundreds of RV campgrounds featuring convenient amenities and scenic landscapes.

For details about some of Oklahoma’s premier RV camping areas, see our Excellent Places to RV in Oklahoma article. You can also find a complete list of RV campgrounds and sites within Oklahoma on the main RV Camping page. Simply click on the campgrounds icon for details on nearly 400 statewide RV camping areas.

Within Oklahoma’s state parks, wildlife refuges or outdoor recreation areas, comfortable sites are settled amidst terrain ranging from mountains and lakes to sand dunes and caverns. Explore Oklahoma State Parks page or Nature & Outdoors section for information, photos and videos detailing what these outdoor attractions have to offer RV travelers.

Oklahoma RV Tips

Below you will find plenty of tips to help set up your RV as fast as possible, allowing you ample time to get out and about while exploring Oklahoma’s renowned outdoor spaces.

Choosing a Site

* Some campgrounds assign RV sites, but if you are able to select your own, there are a few general rules you should follow when making your selection. First, make sure the site is large enough to accommodate your vehicle and leave enough room for you to move around. Although most RVs are equipped with leveling boards or mechanical levelers, it is still important to find a space that is as level as possible to save time and frustration when parking.

* Determine if you need to back-in or pull-through and take note of the location of electrical, sewer and water hookups on your RV before you park.

* Use your location to your advantage in different seasons. In summer, you may want a space in the shade whereas winter travelers will want to seek out sunny spots that will help keep their vehicle as warm as possible.

* When parking near trees, always keep an eye out for low hanging branches and dead limbs. Low branches can scratch the top of the vehicle and high winds or storms can spell danger for your vehicle if dead limbs hang overhead.

* If you plan to use a television or radio in your RV, pay attention to nearby power lines that could cause interference. Also, look for light sources nearby, as a street lamp might keep you awake if you are easily troubled by light at night.

* Be careful while parking on grass. While you may maneuver on dry grass easily, rain or dew can create a wet parking spot that can get slick. While many RV travelers seek waterfront views, pay close attention to the water levels and the forecast. Your beautiful lakefront view could be spoiled by a swelling shoreline if you aren’t careful.

Hooking Up Your RV & Getting Settled : The Basics

* Once parked, apply the parking brake and level the vehicle with blocks or stabilizing jacks. Put entry steps out, either electronically or manually and cautiously remove travel locks or brace bars to ensure you will be able to use your slideouts.

* Next, you will want to connect your power and water supplies. Plug the electrical power cord into the campsite outlet that matches your amp requirements. Turn any appliances running on propane, such as a refrigerator, to draw from electricity instead. Use the white potable RV drinking water hose to connect water to your RV tank. Be sure to run the water under close watch at first and check for any leaks.

* To tackle your sewer connection, put on latex gloves and remove the cap from the sewer hose and carefully attach to the sewer drain outlet until the locking tabs are secured. The hose should slightly slope from the RV down to the sewer connection so everything drains smoothly. Once connected, you may open the gray water tank valve to allow sink and shower water to drain into the sewer line, as well.

Supplies

It is always a good idea to keep your RV stocked with basic supplies. Items that should be on hand at all times include:

___Nonperishable foods
___Adapters for 30 amp and 50 amp outlets
___Batteries
___Wheel chocks
___Shovel
___Tire-pressure gauge
___Map
___Extension cord
___Matches or a lighter
___Road flares
___Insect repellent
___Bungee cords/rope
___Tool kit
___First aid supplies
___Flashlights
___Folding chairs
___Bottle/can opener
___Soap
___Barbecue supplies
___RV toilet paper
___Linens
___Pots and pans
___Fire extinguisher
___Sunscreen

RV Etiquette

RV travelers are universally known for their friendliness and following a simple set of rules will help all RVers maintain their good reputation.

Regarding your RV campsite neighbors, keep these things in mind:

* Refrain from walking through the campsite of someone else. Respect their space – remember, their site is their home while they are parked on it.

* Keep noise down. RVs do not have much of a sound barrier, so try to be as quiet as possible to respect other campers nearby.

* Always pick up after your pet and keep your pet on a leash unless inside your RV.

* Refrain from smoking outside near your campsite unless there is plenty of space separating you from other sites. RVers like to leave windows open and secondhand smoke can easily drift into surrounding RVs.

* When parking or preparing to leave, try to keep idling time to a minimum.

* Feel free to strike up conversations with your RV neighbors, but avoid talking to campers if their shades are closed or if they are busy hooking up their vehicles.

RV Traveling with Kids

If your RV travel includes children, be sure to set aside time during the day for outdoor play. Although many RVs feel spacious and children can be entertained by table games or electronics inside the vehicle, kids travel best when they have time allotted to burn some energy outside.

RV travel is a great opportunity to introduce kids to different places and playing a travel game with them during the ride can help them get involved in sightseeing. Try the alphabet game, where players must call out things they see outside the vehicle that start with each letter of the alphabet. The list game is fun for kids, too. Prior to your trip, have your family make lists of things you might see on the road such as police cars, golf courses, specific road signs or landmarks. While riding, players work to spot every item on their list and the first one to see everything wins.

RV Traveling with Pets

Before you hit the road, double check to see which RV campsites along the way are pet friendly. Read policies on each campsite before you arrive so you can be sure to adhere to the rules for a successful stay. Before you depart, make sure your pet is familiar with the RV. This will be its home during your journey and you want to be sure your pet is comfortable in the space. You can help make your pet more comfortable by bringing along its bed, toys, treats and preferred food.

Make sure your pet’s identification tag has your cell phone number on it. Obviously, you will not be able to be reached at home while you are on vacation and you want to be sure you can be reunited with your pet immediately should you get separated.

Be sure to stop about every three hours along your route to give your pet a chance to relieve itself or get some exercise.

Be mindful of the weather while traveling with your pet. In hot weather, your pet will need ventilation and a comfortable temperature whether you are in your RV or not. Keep fresh water available to your pet at all times in an easily accessible place.

Just like at home, be sure to pick up after your pet wherever you travel.

Park and Explore

Once you park your RV in Oklahoma, you can spend your day exploring everything from award-winning museums to breathtaking mountains and waterfalls. With hundreds of RV campsites in Oklahoma, the opportunities for exploration are endless. Whatever type of adventure you seek, you’ll be able to find an RV site in close proximity to every kind of attraction in Oklahoma.

Our travel tools can help you find family activities, historic landmarks, exciting events and much more. Traveling by RV gives you the ultimate freedom to stay as long as you like or move quickly from attraction to attraction. One of the most popular RV adventures in Oklahoma is visiting a state park. RV campers at state parks should follow the same standards as tent campers. Remember to observe all local burn bans and check the current burn ban status before starting a fire.

If you plan to build a fire, check first with park staff before gathering wood from the area surrounding your campground. Some parks allow campers to gather wood while others offer firewood for sale, instead. Do not bring wood from outside the park as it may carry harmful tree diseases or insects.

Do your part to preserve Oklahoma’s outdoor spaces by leaving the ecosystem undisturbed. Pick up after yourself and for the safety of yourself and animals, keep your distance from wildlife and do not feed animals.

If you plan on fishing, make sure to have a current Oklahoma fishing license if you are over 16 years of age. You can purchase your Oklahoma fishing license online, or at bait/tackle shops, convenience stores and some grocery stores.

Whatever you decide to explore by day during your RV adventure, you will love the comfort and ease of overnight accommodations in your RV. As night falls, return to your RV site to make lasting memories around a campfire or relax with a glass of iced tea while you watch the sunset from the comfort of your own traveling patio.

For more information, check out our RV camping section.

Also, order a free copy of our Oklahoma State Parks & Outdoor Recreation Guide for information on RV sites and campgrounds in a convenient brochure you can take with you.

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