Robbers Cave State Park located in the San Bois Mountains is one of Oklahoma’s best state parks. It offers a variety of activities which makes it a great place to visit any time of the year. There are also quite a few unique accommodation options to make your trip extra special.
We spent a weekend camping and exploring everything that this park has to offer. I’ve rounded up the best things to do at Robbers Cave State Park below.
5 Best Things to Do at Robbers Cave State Park
Robbers Cave is a great place to visit any time of year. There are plenty of outdoor activities as well as special programs put on by the park.
1. Explore Robbers Cave
Robbers Cave is the main attraction of the state park. Why is it called Robbers Cave? This cave is well known due to its’ history of being a hideout for various outlaws including Jesse James.
There are two trails that you can take to get to the cave. The less strenuous trail, Cave Trail, is 0.75 miles long. If you take the trail to the left from the trailhead, you will climb uphill directly to the cave.
It was very steep, but my three-year-olds loved all of the climbing and did just fine. You can follow the trail back to the parking lot the way you came or continue on the longer route around the rest of the trail back to the parking lot. Watch for the orange hiker signs.
If you want more of a challenge, you can get on the CCC Trails which are extremely steep. You will want to check the trailhead map for updates on if these CCC trails are currently open. The parking lot for this area is fairly large with restrooms located on-site.
You have to drive over a narrow bridge that tends to flood when there is a lot of rainfall. We chose to do this trail early in the morning and the views from the cave were awesome.
2. Go Hiking at Robbers Cave State Park
One of the top things to do at Robbers Cave State Park is go on a hike.
The Outdoor Classroom Trail, located on the north side of Lake Carlton, is a 0.8-mile loop. This is the most family-friendly trail in the park. You walk on a bridge over Fourche Maline Creek to start the trail.
Then, you wind through the woods with info boards giving descriptions of plants and animals that live in the area. There is a gazebo along the trail as well as an old engine house. It was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps to house a motor with an electric generator that is still located inside.
Here is a list of the other trails in the park:
- Coon Ridge Trail- 1.83 miles, average hike time: 2 hours
- Belle Star Loop Trail- 2 miles, average hike time: 1.5 hours
- Rough Canyon Trail- 3 miles, average hike time: 2 hours
- Cabin Trail- 0.3 miles, average hike time: 30 minutes
- Cattail Pond Loop- 1.3 miles, average hike time: 1 hour
- Mountain Trail- 4.8 miles, average hike time: 3.5 hours
- Old Quarry Trail- 1.7 miles, average hike time: 1.5 hours
- Multi-Use Trail- 6.3 miles, average hike time: 4.5 hours
3. Ride a Horse at the Robbers Cave Stables
2024 Update: The Robbers Cave Stables have now been moved 39 miles from Robbers Cave to Kiowa, Oklahoma.
The Robbers Cave Stables are a wonderful attraction at this state park. They offer a variety of trail rides ranging from 30 minutes to two hours. For young children ages 2-4, you can go on a double ride with the child in the saddle with you.
There is a strict 240-pound weight limit enforced to not overload the horses. The cost for guided trail rides ranges from $30 to $125 per person.
Another option for kids is “you lead pony rides”. Like it sounds, you can lead your child around the front of the property for 15 minutes.
This is what we chose to do and it worked out great because our kids were more interested in checking out the petting zoo. The petting zoo consists of a donkey, emu, goats, and a llama. The entrance fee is a few dollars per person. You can also buy feed for them.
The stables’ hours can vary depending on the season. Their phone number is (918) 465-1500 and website is Robbers Cave Stables.
4. Go For a Swim
During the summer, taking a dip in the pool is one of the best things to do at Robbers Cave State Park.
The swimming pool, open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, offers a refreshing escape with its two water slides and a small splash pad area. Admission is just $3 per person, making it an affordable way for the whole family to beat the summer heat.
There is also a swimming beach area nearby that has a diving platform. While access is free, it’s important to note that there is no lifeguard on duty.
5. Play at Lake Carlton
Lake Carlton is a central hub for many of the activities and attractions offered at the park.
Your first stop at the park should be the Nature Center/Gift Shop/Heritage Museum building. Stop here to get a map, directions, the current hours for the activities, and check out the little nature center that is set up with some fish tanks and other exhibits.
It is common for programs to be put on during the week and especially on the weekends. This is where you can get all of that information of the best things to do at Robbers Cave State Park while you are visiting. They typically post their calendar of events on the Robbers Cave State Park’s Facebook page, too.
You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddleboats to take out on Lake Carlton. You will need to stop by the nature center to reserve your spot, pay, and get your ticket.
When we were there, they rented them out on the hour from 4:00 to 6:00. But, hours vary throughout the season. The cost is $5 per person, small children were free.
There is a small playground with two swings, a slide, and a “rock” to climb in the Lake Carlton area as well as another playground near the cabins.
There is a full 18 hole miniature golf course. Operating hours vary depending on the time of year. A 9 hole disc golf course is located in the area behind the nature center.
Golf carts, bicycles, horseshoes, fishing poles, volleyballs with nets, and disc golf sets can be rented at the gift shop or cabin office (located on the other side of Highway 2).
Robbers Cave State Park Accommodations
Robbers Cave State Park offers a variety of accommodation options including campsites, cabins, a lodge, and some unique options.
Robbers Cave State Park Camping
There are a variety of campsites including 22 RV sites with full hookups (modern), 92 (semi-modern) sites with water and electric hookups, and 86 primitive tent campsites.
We decided to tent camp on our visit. The majority of tent campsites did not have restrooms nearby. This led us to stay in the Deep Ford Campground which was just down the street from the gift shop.
This campground had a building with men’s and women’s restrooms. It also included a single-stall shower on each side. That being said, it was in pretty rough shape. It was usable but not up to my expectations.
Our campsite was partially washed out and others had tall grass. We did like the peacefulness and being away from the main area. The noise didn’t bother us, but the highway is not too far above the campground.
The best campground for RVs is Whispering Pines & Old Circle. It has all of the amenities that you will need and is close to the park office which includes a small store inside that sells food and camping supplies.
This area had more and nicer facilities, but it was quite a bit busier.
Robbers Cave State Park Yurts
There are two yurts at the park that overlook Lake Carlton. Amenities include a queen-size bed, full-size sleeper sofa, mini-fridge, microwave, and k-cup coffee maker. Reservations can be made online.
Robbers Cave State Park Covered Wagons
A unique accommodation at Robbers Cave State Park is the covered wagons. They include two queen size beds, a microwave, a mini-fridge, and air conditioning. There is also a fire ring, lantern holder, picnic table, and grill outside of the wagon. Reservations can be made online.
Robbers Cave Lodge
The recently renovated Belle Star Lodge offers 21 rooms that each overlook Cook Creek Lake and the valley below. There are rooms with a king bed as well as double queen options. Each room is non-smoking and includes two double beds. They also come with the modern amenities of a coffeemaker, microwave, mini-refrigerator, and wifi.
Robbers Cave State Park Cabins
There are 26 cabins in the park. Cabin options include one-bedroom duplex cabins that sleep four guests, one-bedroom cabins that also sleep four guests, two-bedroom cabins that sleep six guests, and two-bedroom cabins with decks that sleep six guests.
They are all non-smoking and equipped with refrigerators, cooking ranges, dishes, silverware, pots and pans, cooking utensils, coffeepots, linens, central heat and air, showers, fireplaces, and satellite television. There is also a playground located in the middle of the cabin area. If you are bringing your pet, ask for a pet-friendly cabin when you make your reservation. Rates start at around $100 per night.
Robbers Cave State Park Reservations
Reservations for accommodations can be made on the Robbers Cave State Park website. For a campsite, look for the “Book A Campsite” button on the right side of the screen. You can also book a yurt and the covered wagon on this map. The covered wagon is located in Equestrian B.
For a cabin or lodge reservation, look for the “Book Cabins & Lodge” button on the right side of the screen. A two-night minimum is required on weekends for all accommodations. A three-night minimum may be required on holiday weekends.
Accommodations Near Robbers Cave
The closest town to Robbers Cave State Park with a wide variety of accommodations is McAlester. It is about 30 miles west of the park. It has numerous popular chain hotel options with a range of prices. There are also multiple VRBO cabins nearby.
Parking at Robbers Cave State Park
Robbers Cave is one of the Oklahoma state parks that as of June 2020 requires a $10 day-use fee to use the park, $8 if you have an Oklahoma car tag. There are pay machines at the park or you can text a number and pay through your phone (if you have cellular service).
If you are staying in one of the facilities at the park, your reservation fee covers this day-use pass. You will receive an email before your arrival to input your vehicle information to have on file.
You can also purchase a yearly parking pass for $60.
Robbers Cave State Park Hours
The Park Office is open daily from 8:00 – 5:00 and stays open until 6:00 on Fridays and Saturdays.
Where is Robbers Cave State Park?
Robbers Cave State Park is located at 4628 NW 1027th Ave, Wilburton, OK 74578. It is in southeast Oklahoma, about two hours south of Tulsa.
What is the Best Time to Visit Robbers Cave State Park?
You can visit this park year-round, but I believe the best time to visit Robbers Cave State Park is in summer or fall. During the summer, you can take advantage of all of the activities offered at this park including the swimming pool. Fall is a great time to see the beautiful fall foliage.
How Long Should You Spend at Robbers Cave State Park?
You can see the highlights of Robbers Cave in one day. If you are going during the summer with all of the amenities open, a full weekend trip would be great.
Final Thoughts on Robbers Cave State Park
That wraps up the 5 best things to do at Robbers Cave State Park. Robbers Cave, one of the best state parks in Oklahoma, is a great place to get outdoors and explore. I hope you and your family enjoy all that this park has to offer.
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