Winding Stair Campground

We had no idea there were mountains and vistas like these in Oklahoma. Stunning views with road grades of up to 14% in some places. Posted warnings to not take the Scenic Highway 1 if there is fog present or ice. Amazing.

The campground is well-kept, lightly used, and a bit erroneous in its description. There are no power lines on this mountain so at one time the US Forest Service used solar panels to run the lights, water pumps, and maybe a shower. They had pictures to prove it. The solar panels were either stolen or removed. Hence, there is no water and no lights. And for the record, no sign of any prior shower facility anywhere. A rule for no nudity was also posted. I suppose that is in regards to taking an outdoor shower at your own site. Hmm.

AT&T service was a disappointing one bar, that sometimes raised itself to two, but the accustomed unreliability for unhappy customers of AT&T was again front and center. There were no other campers here. The vault toilets were clean. Wooded sites with plenty of shade and privacy. Sites well-spaced from each other. One nice loop to walk and short trail to a vista overlook. Other hiking trails marked. But we were only here for a one-night stopover before heading for Louisiana. Our half-price $4 charge was more than worth it. We expected to be visited by bears but no sight of any in the area.

What a find for us. We like to be off the grid in scenic locations with a strong 4G signal (Verizon) and this forest campground checked those boxes along with being cheap.

Drive 19 miles up (and down) the Talihena Scenic Byway to arrive at the top of Winding Stair Mountain and this primitive campground. (I didn't even know that Oklahoma had mountains.) No electric, no water here but it has vault toilets. Beware, some other review sites indicate solar showers and water, not true! Unfortunately a boy scout group believed that site and we needed to provide them with water after their long hike.

There look to be about 20 sites, many very large pull throughs, all with level asphalt pads, tent pads, picnic tables and fire rings. I think sites 11, 14 and 15 are the nicest with views over the valley as far as the eye could see, maybe 30 or 40 miles. There are lots of trees, it really is a forest. Smells like pine needles, lots of interesting sounding birds and many butterflies during our stay.

We were totally alone in this campground for 2 nights and a tenter the other nights. When the ranger drove by he told us that generally there is no more than one or two sites filled. Why?!

If you come here be prepared for solitude and dark skies, though way in the distance you can see lights from small towns. Please don't run generators in such a peaceful location.