Deep Ford Campground

🌲 **Introduction / Overview**

Nestled within the breathtaking, historic landscape of **Robbers Cave State Park** in southeastern Oklahoma, **Deep Ford Campground** offers a unique, creek-side camping experience. Unlike the park’s larger, more modern RV loops, Deep Ford caters primarily to **tent campers** and those seeking a slightly more immersive, traditional experience with nature. The campground is situated alongside the beautiful Fourche Maline creek, which is notably a state-designated trout fishery during the cool-weather season, adding a significant draw for Oklahoma anglers.

Deep Ford is known for its "improved" tent sites—meaning designated parking, individual picnic tables, fire rings, and grills—providing a structured yet still rustic feel. However, local user reviews highlight the park’s distinct character: its small size and limited infrastructure. Specifically, the campground features only a handful of RV sites (often cited as just two pull-through spots) and a centralized, albeit modern, bathroom and shower facility intended to serve a large area of tent camping. This setup, while unique, creates a high demand for the available facilities, as noted by local campers. Despite these infrastructural limitations, the area remains a favorite for its unparalleled access to the park's rugged trail system and the serene environment next to the water, offering a true taste of the San Bois Mountains wilderness in Oklahoma.

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🗺️ **Location and Accessibility**

Deep Ford Campground is situated inside **Robbers Cave State Park**, a beloved state treasure located in the hilly, forested terrain of the San Bois Mountains near Wilburton, Oklahoma. Its secluded setting is part of its charm, though it can present some navigation challenges, as mentioned by visitors.

The general geographic area is covered by the zip code:

**Oklahoma 74578, USA** (Wilburton Area)

The park itself is located approximately five miles north of Wilburton, directly accessible via State Highway 2. While the main park entrance is clearly signed, visitors warn that signage leading specifically to the Deep Ford section of the campground can be sparse until you are nearly upon it. This requires Oklahoma travelers to pay close attention to park maps and directional signs once inside the main park boundaries. Deep Ford is generally positioned on the east bank of the Fourche Maline creek. Its location is highly desirable for hikers and anglers, as it offers immediate access to key recreational areas and trails. The access roads within the park are typically paved or well-maintained gravel, but the specific RV sites at Deep Ford are designed for convenience, even if the surrounding area feels intentionally rustic.

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🛠️ **Services Offered**

Deep Ford Campground offers a focused set of services that prioritize the basic needs of tent and limited RV campers who appreciate the park’s rugged atmosphere.

• **Limited RV Hookups:** The campground is confirmed to have only two dedicated RV pull-through sites. These sites generally include **electric hookups** (likely 30-amp, and possibly 50-amp) for convenience, although they lack sewer and may be less spacious than sites in other park loops.
• **Improved Tent Sites:** The majority of the area is dedicated to tent camping, with sites featuring individual amenities such as **fenced borders**, **designated parking**, **picnic tables**, **fire rings**, and **grills**.
• **Modern Comfort Station:** A major amenity is a centralized, air-conditioned **bathroom facility** that includes **flush toilets** and **hot showers**. Critically, this facility is noted to be the only one serving all the tent and RV sites in the Deep Ford area, which can lead to high usage during peak season.
• **Pavilion/Group Area:** A very nice, large **pavilion** is available nearby, which is excellent for large group gatherings, family reunions, or shared covered dining.
• **Firewood & Supplies:** Although not at Deep Ford specifically, the main park office or convenience center typically sells firewood and essential camping supplies.
• **Water Access:** Potable water is available at the comfort station, and possibly at a spigot, for camper use, although not generally at the individual tent sites.

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✨ **Features / Highlights**

Deep Ford Campground's highlights are centered on its natural surroundings and its strategic position for accessing Robbers Cave State Park’s best outdoor activities.

• **Trout Fishing Access:** The campground’s location on the Fourche Maline creek is directly within the designated **seasonal trout fishing area**. During the winter and early spring, this creek is stocked with rainbow trout, making Deep Ford an absolute premier spot for Oklahoma anglers.
• **Immediate Trail Access:** The campground provides a trailhead or direct access to at least two of the park’s **major hiking/walking trails**, including the popular trail leading to the legendary Robbers Cave, making it an ideal starting point for day explorations.
• **Creekside Setting:** The peaceful, heavily wooded setting right alongside the running water of the Fourche Maline offers exceptional natural ambiance, with some sites offering scenic views and the relaxing sound of the creek.
• **Rock Climbing and Rappelling:** Deep Ford offers quick access to the area’s famous sandstone cliffs and rock formations, which are a major draw for **rock climbing** and **rappelling** enthusiasts in the Oklahoma and surrounding regions.
• **Robbers Cave Outlaw History:** The entire park is steeped in the lore of famous outlaws like Jesse James and Belle Starr, providing a compelling historical narrative that enhances the adventurous feeling of the area.
• **Improved Tent Amenities:** The dedication to providing individual picnic tables, fire rings, and designated parking at each tent site elevates the standard tent camping experience beyond a simple primitive camp.

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📞 **Contact Information**

As Deep Ford Campground is a component of the larger Robbers Cave State Park, all reservations, inquiries, and information on park policies (such as seasonal trout fishing licenses or trail closures) are handled through the main state park office.

Address: **Hwy 2 N, Wilburton, Oklahoma 74578, USA** (General Park Address)

Phone: **(918) 465-2562** (General Robbers Cave State Park Reservations)

Alternate Park Office Line: **(918) 465-2565**

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💯 **What is Worth Choosing Deep Ford Campground**

For the Oklahoma outdoor enthusiast, **Deep Ford Campground** is worth choosing for a handful of powerful, unique reasons, despite its notable logistical quirks (like the limited RV sites and the over-taxed single comfort station). Its value proposition lies in its prime natural location and its suitability for specific activities.

**1. The Angler’s Advantage:** Deep Ford’s biggest draw is its direct, immediate location on the **Fourche Maline creek**, which is a highly prized **seasonal trout fishing area**. For Oklahoma fishermen wanting to maximize their time wading in the stocked stream during the winter months, there is simply no more convenient campsite in the park.

**2. Unparalleled Trail Access:** For hikers and adventurers, the campground serves as a gateway to the park's rugged core. Having **direct access to major hiking trails**, including those leading up to the legendary Robbers Cave, allows campers to begin their exploration immediately without the need for driving or finding additional parking.

**3. The Improved Tent Experience:** If you are a **tent camper** and self-sufficient regarding sanitation (or are prepared for a potentially busy restroom), the individualized amenities at each site—designated parking, fire rings, and picnic tables—offer a high-quality, structured camping experience that is a significant step up from primitive camping. These sites offer a deep connection to the woods and the creek.

**4. Ideal for Close-Knit Groups:** The unique configuration of the two RV sites (sharing a common area) makes Deep Ford the perfect choice for two families or friends traveling together in RVs who desire a shared campfire and meal space, all while being steps away from the water and the trails. For these specific, self-contained groups, the site layout is actually a major benefit.

Choosing Deep Ford Campground is selecting a location where the primary focus is on nature and recreation, offering the best access to Robbers Cave’s defining features for dedicated Oklahoma tent campers, hikers, and seasonal trout fishermen.