With thousands of acres of scenic rolling hills covered in wildgrass, you’ll have dozens of miles of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails in Black Kettle National Grassland in Oklahoma. The rolling prairies have scenic views in the spring, when you can see the hills come alive with wildflowers. The area is also known for its hunting, with a range of large game species such as elk and antelope. If you just want to relax and appreciate the wildlife, you can enjoy a number of interpretive trails, and you’ll find a variety of excellent bird watching areas.
The forest also has a number of lakes and streams that are excellent for fishing. You’ll be able to catch bluegill, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and saugeye throughout the forest. Most of the main RV campgrounds in the forest are near a lake as well, giving you easy access to the water. The area is also great for boating, including water skiing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Located along Oklahoma’s western border with Texas, Black Kettle National Grassland is a quick drive from Oklahoma City, and can also be reached from a number of cities in Texas. The roads in the forest are fairly straight and wide, so large rigs shouldn’t run into too many issues driving to the main campgrounds.
If you are driving from Oklahoma City, take I-40 west out of the city and you’ll get to the forest in around two hours and 15 minutes. From Dallas, take US-283 to US-287 and you’ll arrive at the forest in just under five hours.
Black Kettle Campground is the most popular RV camping area in the forest. To reach the campground, take OK-47 to N1820 Road. The roads are well-maintained, so you should have few issues getting to your site.
This is a great campground for those who want a more modern camping experience. There are 12 sites, none of which have electrical hookups. You’ll also have access to restrooms, as well as potable water. The campground is located right on the water, giving you easy access to boating and fishing. There are a number of hiking trails that connect directly to the campground.
This is a perfect campground for those interested in a secluded camping experience. There are only five sites in the campground, giving you plenty of privacy. All of the campsites have fire pits and picnic tables, and you’ll be able to access drinking water. The campground is great for fishing, and you’ll also be able to kayak and canoe as well. You’ll find a number of hiking trails near the campground, taking you across the prairies and hills. The sites at the campground are first-come, first-served. The campground is small, with just five sites, so try to get their early to save your spot.
This is another small, secluded campground, with just 12 sites, none of which have hookups of any kind. There’s a picnic table at each site, and you’ll have access to drinking water and vault toilets. Since the campground is small and does not accept reservations, try to get there early in the day to get a site.
With dozens of miles of trails, Black Kettle National Grassland is an excellent location for hiking. You can climb up the hills for scenic views overlooking the vast expanses of the prairies, as well as walk along one of the lakes in the area.
Hiking in the grasslands is excellent throughout the year, although many people avoid hiking during the summer, as there is little cover from the sun. The best time of year to visit the area in your rig is during spring, when you can take in views of the prairies covered in wildflowers.
The wide open expanses of the grasslands make the perfect area for horseback riding. You’ll find dozens of miles of trails in the area, taking you across the hills and fields. You can also go off trail and explore the grasslands on your own. Just take caution not to trespass, as there are many plots of private land located throughout the area, as well as a number of herds of cattle.
With a number of lakes dotted throughout the grasslands, RV campers can enjoy kayaking, canoeing, and water skiing. Take a long kayak ride along the shores of Skipout Lake, or take a canoe out onto Dead Warrior Lake, located right outside Black Kettle Campground.
Most of the campgrounds in the area are fairly small and do not offer any boat rentals, so you may need to bring your own along with your rig. Some of the lakes, including Black Kettle Lake, are no wake, so you won’t be able to water or jet ski.
Most of the grasslands are open to hunting, with a wide range of big game species. You’ll find deer roaming the prairies, as well as coyotes, bobcats, and quail, with the hilly terrain making every hunt interesting.
Do take caution while hunting on the grasslands, as there are many private plots located throughout the area. You’ll also find a large number of grassing cattle, so respect the property of the ranchers who work on the grasslands.
You’ll find a number of lakes and rivers in the forest, giving RV campers plenty of angling opportunities. You can fish at Spring Creek Lake, which is located near one of the forest’s main RV campgrounds. Black Kettle Campground also has excellent fishing on Dead Warrior Lake.
The best time of year for fishing tends to be spring and fall, when the fish populations tend to be a bit more active. However, you’ll still get bites throughout the year.
Black Kettle National Grassland are one of the most popular hunting destinations in the area. But you can also simply enjoy the natural sights in the park, with dozens of mammal, bird, and reptile species. The grasslands are also known for their wildflowers, making them a great springtime destination.
When wildlife viewing, make sure that you don’t stray onto private property, as there are a number of ranches located in the area, many of which have large herds of cattle. With so much to see make sure you don't forget your binoculars in your trailer or camper.
