Central Campground

About

Central Campground occupies 15 acres in the Platt Historic District of Chickasaw National Recreation Area, making it the smallest of the park's campground developments. The campground holds historical significance as part of the former Platt National Park, a National Historic Landmark District developed during the Great Depression through Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal programs. After 1937, it served as the designated campground for African American visitors, and following integration in 1957, it transitioned to serve organized camping groups. The campground features 10 group sites: 9 large group tent areas accommodating up to 30 campers and 4 vehicles each, plus 1 smaller standard site for up to 10 people. Amenities include flush toilets (seasonal), shared potable water spigots, fire rings, and picnic tables. A spacious field provides room for group activities like volleyball, football, and horseshoes. Travertine Creek winds through the landscape, offering several spring-fed swimming holes to escape the Oklahoma summer heat. All sites require advance reservations through Recreation.gov. Alcohol is prohibited from May 1 through September 30 as Central Campground lies east of Highway 177. Generator use is limited to 7-9 AM and 7-9 PM. Quiet hours are 10 PM to 6 AM.

Directions

From I-35, take Exit 55 and drive towards Davis, OK. Once in Davis, go east on Highway 7 for approximately 8 miles to Sulphur. At the junction of Highway 7 and Highway 177, turn south (right) for approximately 0.2 miles on Highway 177 and take the first left. Central Campground is 0.25 miles east on NE Perimeter Road.