Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
RV Guide
Introduction
Sitting on the Robert S. Kerr Reservoir on Arkansas River, Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam features beautiful flora and fauna, magnificent landscapes, and great settings for memorable holidays and RV vacations. This US Army Corps of Engineers park, located southwest of Sallisaw in Oklahoma, is easy to access by RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles.
Tent and RV camping opportunities are available at this river park, including campsites that are pet-friendly and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Full hookup options, partial hookups as well as no hookup campsites are also present within the park. Facilities and amenities within the campgrounds include showers and restrooms, playgrounds, dump stations, swimming beaches, picnic tables and areas, and many more.
There are a host of recreational opportunities to enjoy at this Army COE park. If water-based recreation is your interest, then you can boat with different vessels on the river, angle for various fish species, or swim at any of the three beaches available. Wildlife and bird viewing, as well as hunting opportunities, are also available. The park’s landscapes and beauty, as well as other attractions outside the park at Tenkiller State Park and Tenkiller Ferry Lake, also provide sightseeing opportunities.
RV Rentals in Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
Transportation
Driving
Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam is a US Army COE park that is easy to access as the park is located about 22 miles west of Fort Smith, Arkansas, along Interstate 40. US Highway 59 and other major and minor access roads lead to the park. Vacationers and campers coming in their cars, RVs, and trailers will also have no problems navigating within the park. Equipment rentals are available at Sallisaw and Sequoyah State Park.
Parking
Parking spaces are available for vacationers and visitors at and around Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam to park RVs, trailers, and cars. Campgrounds and recreation areas also have parking pads for vehicles. Moreover, overnight parking is also available.
Public Transportation
There are no direct public transportation services to Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam.
Campgrounds and parking in Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
Campsites in Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
First-come first-served
Short Mountain Cove
Short Mountain Cove Campground sits on the east side of Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam and is a pet-friendly campground available for tents and RVs and open between April and September. The campsites in this campground are available on first-come, first-served basis and feature amenities such as dump station, flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, and waterfront views. A boat launch and day-use group picnic shelter are also available.
There are 33 campsites in this campground, all of which are equipped with electric and water hookups for RVs and trailers. The maximum motorhome length that can be accommodated in this campground is 35 feet.
Cowlington Point
Cowlington Point Campground sits on the southern edge of Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam and is a pet-friendly campground available for tents and RVs and open between April and October. The campsites in this campground are available on first-come, first-served basis and feature amenities such as dump station, flush toilets, showers, picnic tables, and a playground. A boat launch, swimming beach, and ADA accessible group picnic shelter are also available.
There are 35 campsites in this campground, most of which are equipped with full RV hookup options. Three campsites do not have RV hookups. The maximum motorhome length that can be accommodated in this campground is 35 feet.
Applegate Cove
Applegate Cove Campground sits on the banks of Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam and is a pet-friendly campground available for tents and RVs and open all year. The campsites in this campground are available on first-come, first-served basis and feature amenities such as dump station, flush toilets, showers, picnic tables and potable water. A boat launch, swimming beach, playground and day-use group picnic shelter are also available.
There are 27 campsites in this campground, all of which are equipped with electric and water RV hookups. Three campsites do not have RV hookups. Maximum motorhome length that can be accommodated in this campground is 35 feet.
Seasonal activities in Arkansas River - Robert S. Kerr Pool
In-Season
Boating
The broad expanse of water available at Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam offers the chance for RV campers and vacationers at this park to pursue their boating interests, whether it be by using powerboats, sailboats, or any other type of watercraft. The depth of the water, as well as its extent, are additional factors that offer satisfactory and pleasurable boating experiences to all. The lockage is available to recreational vessels all day, but pleasure craft may be required to wait when commercial traffic is heavy through the lock.
Fishing
There are excellent opportunities for RV campers and visitors at Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam to enjoy angling for a wide variety of fish species at this COE park. Popular among anglers for its abundant flathead catfish, crappie, and striped bass, this park is a premier destination for fishermen.
This does not therefore mean that there aren’t more fish in the park’s waters. Largemouth bass, channel catfish, white crappie, and various sunfish species are also abundant in the park. So, you’ll want to come along with your fishing gear and tackle when visiting.
Hiking
Opportunities to hike around Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam are available for campers and visitors who love to take a stroll while on vacation. The park has one hiking trail that starts at the Short Mountain Cove Campground and takes hikers east along the river to various scenic spots within the park. Nature lovers will definitely fancy taking their cameras along on this trail to take photographs of the beautiful scenery and landscapes that will be seen along this hiking trail.
Off-Season
Wildlife/Bird Viewing
If you’re a fan of wildlife watching, then you should visit Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam. This is because this park features a wildlife refuge where various wildlife can be observed. This wildlife refuge, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, is a popular destination among fauna lovers. Besides the wildlife and bird viewing opportunities at this COE park, hunting enthusiasts are also present with good opportunities to go after game at Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam. Principal species in the park include fox, white-tailed deer, cottontail rabbit, waterfowl, and many others.
Sightseeing
At Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam, vacationers and campers who just wish to sit and take in nature’s beauty have their fill of the beautiful features within the park. Not only is the river area a magnificent place to visit at any time of the year, but visiting the park in spring will expose you to the leaf buds and flowering shrubs that decorate the park’s corridors and landscape.
In fall, the brilliant colors in the park unfold and make the park feel like heaven. Any of these beauties can be seen in the park’s public use areas or the hiking trail. Outside the park, more sightseeing opportunities are available at Sequoyah State Park.
Swimming
A visit to Robert S. Kerr Lock and Dam in summer without a stop at any of the three swimming beaches available in the park means your trip is incomplete. These three swimming beaches provide refreshing and memorable experiences for young and old, offering the chance to cool off from summer’s heat. One of the beaches is at Cowlington Point campground, while the other is at Applegate Cove. Visitors may also make use of the third public beach near the dam off Highway 59.
