Hugo Lake, a reservoir created when the US Army Corps of Engineers built the Hugo Lake Dam in 1974, is situated in southeastern Oklahoma. Constructed on the Kiamichi River, the dam's primary focus is for flood control and water supply management. The Army COE also preserves the area's wildlife and fish habitat and gives visitors a fantastic body of water where they can enjoy outdoor recreation. The 110 miles of shoreline is excellent for swimming, fishing, boating, and exploring.
Visitors will delight in touring Hugo Lake State Park which is located on the south shore of the lake. The land for this state park resulted from splitting the already established Kiamichi Park in half. The land was then leased to the state of Oklahoma by the Army Corps of Engineers in 2002.
Camping is a breeze at Hugo Lake. The three pet-friendly campgrounds accommodate large RVs and offer convenient hookups and other vacation-appropriate amenities. An easy stop on your next road trip, Hugo Lake is about 40 miles north of Paris, Texas and around 150 miles west of the Ouachita National Forest. It's a great jumping-off point to travel to Arkansas, Texas, and Mississippi.
The roads within this COE park and its campgrounds are paved and easy to navigate for RVs. Walking and cycling, rather than driving, is a great way to get around once you reach the park.
Depending on the season, the weather in Oklahoma can be windy and rainy. If the weather is poor, pay close attention to road hazards like fallen trees and other debris.
Parking is easy for big vehicles at Hugo Lake. The campgrounds have parking lots, as do the recreation areas.
Open from the beginning of April to the end of September, a total of 51 campsites are available at Virgil Point Campground. Campers will enjoy the water and electric hookups along with
Rigs up to 60 feet in length can find a site here. There are paved parking pads, picnic tables, and grills as well as options for shade, seclusion, or waterfront. Access to everything Hugo Lake has to offer is convenient from this central location. The boat ramp grants access to the water for fishing, and you'll find hiking trails nearby.
In terms of amenities, this COE campground has pretty much everything you would need. Campers can use the restrooms and showers within a short walk, and the campground has a dump station.
A total of 78 campsites are available at Kiamichi Park Campground, and some have hookups for water, electric (30 and 50 amp), and sewer. RVs and trailers up to 66 feet can be accommodated here, and there are options for sites that have full or partial shade as well as ones with water views on the banks of the lake. The parking pads are generally paved, and some sites have nice grassy areas where campers can spread out a little.
If you're traveling with your horse, Kiamichi Park has nine horse stalls on Raccoon Road, so this campground is perfect for you.
Accessible flush toilets, a dump station, and showers make this campground a convenient place to stay. It's also a popular stop due to the easy access to the water via the onsite boat ramp and swimming beach. A playground and nearby trailheads further encourage outdoor recreation.
If you're camping with a large group, try the Group Camp near Kiamichi Park. It has four group sites that each accommodate up to 25 people. They have electric and water hookups, a large shelter, and nearby restrooms with showers. There is also a group camp swimming beach and playground.
Hugo Lake boasts three sandy swimming beaches at Wilson Point, Kiamichi Park, and the Group Camp area. If you prefer to swim in non-designated areas, the many miles of shoreline all present opportunities to get in the water, just watch out for rocks.
Swimming at this COE lake is unsupervised but the Army Corps of Engineers does ask that you follow certain rules. Watch out for signs with details, but glass is prohibited from all the beach areas and alcohol is only allowed at the Group Camp and Wilson Point beaches.
Hugo Lake allows both motorized and non-motorized boats on its over 8,000 acres of water. The water closest to the dam is the safest location for speed boats and waterskiing since it is relatively clear of obstructions. To promote safety, the Army Corps of Engineers has created boat lanes. They are located in the upper half of the lake which is uncleared.
For a quieter time, hop in a canoe or kayak and paddle close to shore. You'll have an excellent view of waterfowl and you can even drop a line in the water to try and catch your dinner.
The many miles of shoreline at Hugo Lake present endless options for an outdoor lunch. Stop and spread out a blanket and enjoy a meal with scenic lake views and a beautiful forest backdrop.
For a more structured picnic and a larger gathering, you can rent out various pavilions throughout this COE park. There are two such pavilions at Kiamichi Park that can be reserved online. They provide large, sheltered picnic tables and are close to restrooms and other amenities at the park. Wilson Point also has a similar day use area that can be reserved online for large groups with electric and water hookups and a barbecue.
Rattan Landing is the only COE campground at Hugo Lake that does not accept reservations. It's a basic park with 13 campsites that will accommodate RVs on a few pull-through sites. The sites do have electric hookups for convenience and the grounds feature two vault toilets.
Bring your pets to camp with you here and the picnic table and fire pit will provide hours of evening entertainment. Easy access to the lake for fishing and the nearby boat launch make this campground a good option. Dense forests provide an excellent wilderness backdrop and the site is quiet even though it is close to the highway.
If you are a fan of wildlife, it's not uncommon to encounter deer while moving through the grounds at Rattan Landing.
Whether it's by boat or from the shore, many visitors to Hugo Lake will try their hand at fishing at some point during their trip. There are no docks or fishing piers but space on the banks of the lake is plentiful. The most common catches here are crappie, bass, and catfish.
The summer is the best time to catch catfish, whereas later in the season, the fall bass are the catch of the day. In the spring, anglers are most likely to find slab crappie and sand bass in high numbers. Make sure, whatever you catch, you have a valid Oklahoma fishing license from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
Hikers will find tons of trails traveling through Kiamichi Park and the adjacent Hugo Lake State Park. The well-paved roads throughout the area are also excellent options for cycling.
The lake is surrounded by lands open to hunting as well as restricted areas aimed at preserving wildlife. These serene areas are perfect for hikers who enjoy solitude. The thick woods are populated with many species of birds as well as squirrels and deer; make sure you don't leave home without your camera.
For travelers who bring their own horses, Hugo Lake is an ideal destination. Kiamichi Park has a horse-friendly trail that meanders around the boundary of this COE park. Close to the Kiamichi Campground, on Racoon Road, you'll find nine horse stalls where you can leave your horses. They are also conveniently located near the equestrian trailhead.
In total there are over nine easy equestrian trails at Kiamichi Park totaling about 30 miles. Some trails are open to hikers as well so be prepared to share the space. The trails are popular as they are mostly shaded and take you through the dense forest and into lovely open glens.
