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A dark green Toyota pickup with a roof tent parked in tall dry grass as mist closes in.

National Park Service group campground

Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)

National Park Service group campground in Chickasaw National Recreation Area, Murray County, Oklahoma. 954 feet. 1.1 miles from Sulphur.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
National Park Service Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Elevation
954 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
10 9 group tent only area non-electric, 1 group standard non-electric
Longest rig
18 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
None listed
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Murray County

Overview

Central Campground is a family-friendly primitive group campground found in the Platt Historic District of Chickasaw National Recreation Area. Nearby Travertine Creek provides several refreshing, spring-fed swimming areas to escape the summer heat. Other close attractions, such as Little Niagara and the Travertine Nature Center make this campground an ideal location for both beginner and experienced campers. Central Campground is only a few minutes away from the town of Sulphur.

Recreation

Swimming and hiking are among the favorite activities at the campsite. A short walk takes you to Panther Falls, a refreshing swimming area.

Nearby hiking and walking trails meander along streams, past cool rushing waterfalls, and on to mineral and freshwater springs.

Facilities

The group campground is on a loop that surrounds a spacious field for activities like volleyball, football or horseshoes. There are 10 group sites open seasonally, and water spigots are close to the campsites.

Natural Features

The springs and seeps in Chickasaw originate within a region of Oklahoma characterized by complex geologic formations. Intense faulting, folding, uplift and erosion have combined to form a land surface of gently rolling hills dissected by streams.

Nearby Attractions

Try Little Niagara, a favorite freshwater swimming hole.

The Travertine Nature Center is a wonderful resource to view nature exhibits, meet live animals on display, and listen to rangers' presentations.

The park's bison pasture is nearby, so bring the kids and cameras to see the beautiful animals grazing.

The description, directions and fees are the National Park Service’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • biking
  • camping
  • hiking
  • historic & cultural site
  • picnicking
  • swimming site
  • water sports
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Central Group Camp (Chickasaw)

The ringed pin is this group campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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