Lake Wayne Wallace Campground

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**Introduction / Overview**

Nestled deep within the legendary **Robbers Cave State Park** in the rugged Ouachita Mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma, the **Lake Wayne Wallace Campground** offers local outdoor enthusiasts a classic, primitive camping experience. This is not your typical RV park with manicured lawns and full hookups; instead, it provides a quiet, forested retreat for those who cherish solitude, privacy, and immersion in nature. It is a favored spot for campers who are self-sufficient and prioritize proximity to the water for fishing and boating.

Lake Wayne Wallace itself is a beautiful 94-surface-acre reservoir, part of the extensive water system within the state park, including Lake Carlton and Coon Creek Lake. The campground, often referred to as a dispersed camping area, capitalizes on the surrounding dense woodlands, providing ample natural shade and a feeling of seclusion. As one local visitor noted, “There are several dispersed campsites in this campground with a boat ramp. Alot of trees and privacy. No water or hookups. Just a short walk to the water from all of the sites.” This description perfectly captures the essence of the area: a simple, back-to-basics camp life where privacy is a premium feature, and the lake is always within easy reach.

Managed by the Oklahoma State Parks system, this specific campground within Robbers Cave is designated for tent and primitive camping, appealing to those who want a more rustic adventure while still having access to the greater park’s extensive trail network and recreational features. For Oklahoma families and solo adventurers seeking an authentic mountain and lake camping getaway away from the crowds, Lake Wayne Wallace Campground is a perfect destination.

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**Location and Accessibility**

The Lake Wayne Wallace Campground is centrally located within the beautiful and historically significant **Robbers Cave State Park**, which is situated in Latimer County in Southeastern Oklahoma.

**Official Address:**

Ash Creek Rd, Wilburton, OK 74578, USA

**Proximity to Local Town:** The nearest major town is **Wilburton, Oklahoma**, located approximately five miles south of the park entrance. This proximity is highly convenient for campers, allowing for quick access to necessary supplies like gas, groceries, and dining options.

**Access and Terrain:** The campground itself is reached via paved and well-maintained park roads leading into the Lake Wayne Wallace area. As a primitive and unimproved area, the individual dispersed campsites often involve dirt or gravel spurs that require careful driving, especially after heavy rain. The location is nestled among the San Bois Mountains, meaning the terrain is hilly and rocky, providing gorgeous, scenic views of the Ouachita National Forest surroundings. The sites are generally scattered among the trees, ensuring maximum privacy and a "short walk to the water" from most spots.

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**Services Offered**

Lake Wayne Wallace Campground is categorized as a primitive camping area, meaning the focus is on natural access and minimal development. While there are plenty of facilities throughout the wider Robbers Cave State Park (such as the main park office, Nature Center, and more modern campgrounds), the Lake Wayne Wallace area itself is intentionally kept simple.

• **Primitive Camping Sites:** Numerous dispersed camping spots suitable for tents and small camping units, offering excellent privacy.
• **Lake Wayne Wallace Boat Ramp:** A functional boat launch is available directly within the campground area, providing easy access to the lake for fishing and boating.
• **Campfire Rings/Fire Pits:** Individual sites are typically equipped with a fire ring or pit for campfires.
• **Picnic Tables:** Sites often include a picnic table for outdoor dining convenience.
• **Access to Robbers Cave State Park Amenities:** Campers have access to all amenities available throughout the larger State Park, including:
  • Park-wide trail system for hiking, biking, and equestrian use.
  • Designated swimming areas and a seasonal swimming pool (typically Memorial Day to Labor Day).
  • Nature Center and Gift Shop.
  • Comfort stations with restrooms and hot showers (located at the main developed campgrounds, such as Whispering Pines, a short drive away).

**Important Note on On-Site Services:** This campground is specifically known for its lack of utility infrastructure. There are:

• **No Water Hookups**
• **No Electric Hookups**
• **No Sewer Hookups**
• **No Dump Station** (The main park area offers a dump station for self-contained RVs).
• **No Potable Water** directly at the sites.

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**Features / Highlights**

The unique draw of the Lake Wayne Wallace Campground comes from its blend of rugged seclusion and access to one of Oklahoma’s premier state parks.

• **Unrivaled Privacy and Dispersed Layout:** Unlike crowded campgrounds where sites are tightly packed, the "dispersed" nature of the Lake Wayne Wallace sites—set among the many trees—ensures maximum privacy, a major highlight for those seeking quiet reflection.
• **Immediate Lake Access:** The short walk from all campsites to the water and the presence of an on-site boat ramp make it a prime location for anglers and non-motorized boaters (kayaks, canoes). Lake Wayne Wallace is stocked with largemouth bass, channel catfish, and sunfish.
• **Base Camp for Robbers Cave Adventure:** This campground serves as an ideal, quiet base for exploring the famous historical hideouts, sandstone cliffs, and miles of hiking trails that the legendary Robbers Cave State Park is known for. The Lake Wayne Wallace Trail itself is a peaceful, 2-mile loop perfect for bird watching and lakeside strolls.
• **Beautiful Ouachita Mountain Setting:** Campers are treated to stunning scenery, tall trees, and the rugged, natural beauty of the Ouachita National Forest ecosystem, offering cooler temperatures and excellent shade during the warmer months.
• **Affordability:** While camping fees apply, the primitive nature of the site often makes it a more cost-effective option than the full-hookup RV sites elsewhere in the park.

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**Contact Information**

Lake Wayne Wallace Campground is an official area within Robbers Cave State Park. All inquiries, rates, and detailed park information should be directed to the main park office.

**Campground Name:** Lake Wayne Wallace Campground

**Address:**

Ash Creek Rd, Wilburton, OK 74578, USA

**Robbers Cave State Park Office Phone:**

(918) 465-2562

**Robbers Cave State Park Mobile Phone:**

+1 918-465-2562

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**What is Worth Choosing**

The Lake Wayne Wallace Campground is emphatically **worth choosing for the dedicated, self-reliant Oklahoma camper** who yearns for a true escape from the highly developed, noisy environments of modern recreation. If your camping gear includes a reliable tent, a good sleeping bag, and the means to carry in your own water and handle your own sanitation (and waste), this is the optimal site within Robbers Cave State Park.

The primary selling point is the combination of **solitude, lake proximity, and affordability**. Campers here get the benefit of dispersed, private sites nestled in a dense forest—a rarity in a popular state park—while still having quick access to the entire park's vast amenities and activities (hiking, rock climbing, and the park restaurant/gift shop). For fishermen, the on-site boat ramp and "short walk to the water" are invaluable.

In short, Lake Wayne Wallace Campground is the perfect choice for anyone looking to ditch the cords and plugs of civilization, embrace a more authentic outdoor experience, and enjoy the rugged, quiet beauty of Southeast Oklahoma’s mountain lakes. It offers the best of both worlds: a primitive, private campsite surrounded by nature, yet only a few minutes drive from the conveniences and extensive recreational offerings of Robbers Cave State Park.

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