We camped here, at the edge of the prarie, tucked under the oaks! It was lovely! Hiked the prarie a bit, the loop down to the swimming hole and drove over to another trail head to hike some more! We saw autumn wild flowers in bloom, many birds including a scrub jay and a Barred owl that sits in the oaks beside the bathouse to hunt the flying mammals as they emerge at dusk. (Regretably, the colonel population is down considerably over just a year ago!) We did a little 4-wheel driving through the sugar sand road through the dispersed camping areas around the lakes that dot the prarie. There's a boatlaunch for your paddling vessel and reportedly good fishing. Bonus: we got our $10 permit to go to a designated Plat of the forest where we cut a sandpine to take home for our Christmas tree! 🎄

Definitely a new holiday tradition.

Vault toilets were clean. No potable water. There's a spigot for well water that's discolored by tannins and iron. There was no firewood to purchase, but plenty to scavenge near by. Follow the sound of the big saw.

You're 30 minutes from the nearest store, so come prepared- including long sleeves and pants plus bug repellent- chiggers are wicked- don't sit on the ground! Also spotted bear poo on the trails. So hike in loud groups and consider bringing bear spray and know how to use it.

Campsites offer a range of privacy, connected sites for groups. All had picnic benches and fire rings, most had raised grills. All had food vaults as this is an area of high bear activity. Camp host was friendly.