In the San Bois Mountains of southeast Oklahoma, you’ll find Robber’s Cave State Park. Many years ago, Robbers Cave was the hideout place for two of the most famous outlaws of all time - Jesse James and Belle Starr. Now, you can get to see the cave yourself when you visit in your RV.
There are over 8,000 acres of beautiful land here at the park, and you won’t want to miss the experience of it all. There are plenty of opportunities for hikers, bikers, and horseback riders. And if you enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming, there are 189 acres of lakes in Robber’s Cave State Park. Choose between Lake Carlton, Lake Wayne Wallace, and Coon Creek Lake when you visit during the warmer months. There is no better way to spend the summertime than by a lake.
Visiting during the colder season isn’t a bad idea either, as it stays fairly warm in Oklahoma. Whenever you decide to bring your RV to Robbers Cave State Park, you’ll not only have lots of opportunities for adventure and fun, but you’ll also be well taken care of at their campground. There are many different camping options to choose from with plenty of amenities. While you are in Oklahoma you could also visit Beavers Bend State Park, just 100 miles to the south, or Lake Eufaula State Park, 40 miles northwest.
Robbers Cave State Park lies in the southeast corner of Oklahoma, just off OK-2. Wilburton is the nearest town and is only five miles south of the park. Here, you will find a variety of take-out restaurants, grocery stores, ATMs, and gas stations. Getting to the park is simple, and navigating once inside is pretty easy as well. All the main roads are paved and easy for RVers to use. Keep in mind that some areas of the park might be closed in the winter.
Parking is actually pretty limited, especially for RVs and large vehicles. If you’re planning on RV camping at Robbers Cave State Park, then you’ll need to go straight to your campsite and set everything up there first. This way, you won’t have to struggle to find parking.
Robbers Cave State Park is the perfect place to bring your RV for a camping trip. If you are looking for the best sites, there are 22 RV sites that have full hookups. That means water, sewer, and electric hookups for your RV. If you can do without the sewer hookups, then there are 67 more RV sites that have just water and electric hookups.
If you can do without any of that and simply just want a place to park your RV, then there are 86 sites that are more primitive. The park stays open all year long, but there are going to be less camping options when it gets colder. Due to winterization, certain camping areas shut down for the season, and the sites that remain open will only have electric hookups. But, you still have the option to visit and stay at Robbers Cave State Park any time that you wish. Equestrian campsites are also available.
There are 26 cabins here at Robbers Cave State Park, so if you have changed your mind about RV camping, you can rent one of these instead. They’re great to stay in, as they have a full kitchen with a fridge, cooking range, microwave, dishes and utensils, and a coffee pot. You won’t even need to worry about bringing linens either, as they provide these too.
They also have heating and air conditioning, as well as a nice fireplace to keep you warm. Feel free to bring your pet along with you too, as these cabins are pet-friendly. Choose between a one-bedroom or two-bedroom cabin, depending on the size of your group. The one-bedroom cabins can sleep four people, while the two-bedroom cabins can sleep up to three people.
Many people come to the park to go rappelling or rock climbing. Shale and densely compacted sandstone from the beautiful bluffs and boulders make for excellent climbing in this area. The best time to climb is in autumn and spring so that you won’t have to fight with the heat as you climb. There are quite a few climbing routes to choose from at this park, most of which are perfect for beginner and intermediate climbers. Horse Coral Face is a favorite among climbers and offers a variety of climbing routes. If you're keen on bouldering, then make sure to visit Shiftless Outlaws Boulder, a fun bouldering spot one can access through the cave.
There are plenty of picnic tables located all through the park, so pick the one that seems to have the best view to you, and invite your friends and family for a nice meal. If one table isn’t big enough and you’d like something that’s more ideal for a family reunion or party, then you can rent one of the bigger picnic shelters that are available. You'll also find a playground and bathrooms near the bigger picnic shelters with lots of room for fun and games.
This park boasts its own ATV trails and campground. The ATV riding area is opposite the Deep Fork Campground and is open every day of the week. This riding area features 250 acres for you to ride on. The terrain here is hilly and provides a good balance of fun and challenge. There are two campgrounds in the ATV area, one is primitive and the other especially suited to RV campers.
This is a beautiful park with plenty of trails that are open to horseback riders. If you don't have your own horse, you can make use of the horse riding facilities offered at the stables. The park offers equestrian camping facilities for visitors who bring their own horses along, right next to one of the horse trailheads. The nature on the trails in this park is breathtaking, and you'll enjoy scenic views as you explore on horseback.
The two yurts at Robbers Cave State Park sleep up to four guests and offer a queen-size bed and full-size sleeper couch. They are pet-friendly and have a mini-fridge, coffee maker, and microwave. Each yurt has its own deck, where you can enjoy the view over Lake Carlton, a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. The yurts offer privacy as quiet space away from the campgrounds. They do not have their own bathroom facilities, but there is a bathhouse a short walk away. Yurts must be reserved in advance, and a minimum two-night stay is required for weekends.
There are 25 miles of hiking trails available for you to explore at Robbers Cave State Park. Get to stand on top of a giant cliff overlooking the rest of the world and enjoy all of the pretty scenery. If you visit in the fall, take a few moments to appreciate the vibrant changing leaf colors. If you're looking to enjoy a remote camping experience while hiking, then you must visit Rocky Top Campground. This campground can only be accessed by either a half-mile or three-mile hike, or by kayak or canoe on Lake Wayne Wallace.
While you’re here, visit the nature center and learn about the wildlife found in the park. Visitors of all ages will enjoy the interesting exhibits and learn a few things about the park. Plus, there’s always something going on here, so see what kinds of nature programs are on offer during your stay here. Guided cave tours and hayrides are popular programs, and group tours can be organized here too.
This park is the perfect place to come for a peaceful ride on a scenic lake. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats on Lake Carlton, so you won’t need to worry about bringing your own with you. If you’re a beginner you can take your time getting the hang of it on the gentle lake waters. Enjoying a few hours paddling on the water is a great way to unwind and take in the beautiful views.
Fishing is one of the most popular attractions at Robbers Cave State Park. Lots of people come to Robbers Cave to fish for trout in the trout stream below Carlton Lake. In the winter months, the stream is stocked with trout and fishermen come to nature and relax for a bit.
There are three lakes to fish at this park offering an abundant supply of bass, catfish, and perch. You need to have a valid fishing license to fish at the park and can purchase one at the nature center.
The park has nice swimming facilities that can be enjoyed on the warmer days. If you want to go for a dip, there are two places to choose from. You can go to the swimming area at one of the lakes, or you can head on over to the swimming pool in the day recreation area. The pool is open between Memorial Day and Labour Day. There are no lifeguards on the lakes, so swimming is at your own risk.
There are three lakes at Robbers Cave State Park: Lake Carlton, Lake Wayne Wallace, and Coon Creek Lake. When you visit, you can take a boat out on one of these bodies of water, and enjoy your time soaking in that summer sun. Boat ramps are provided and their locations are indicated on the park maps. The lakes are fun to explore, with many coves and fishing spots galore, offering the perfect vantage point to appreciate the beauty of the surrounding forests.
