WELCOME TO DIAMOND H SCOUT RANCH!
Escape to the Cookson Hills! Your trip to the Diamond H Scout Ranch will take you through woods and fields, across creeks and deer trails, past bandit caves and peaceful waterfalls. You will fall in love with the oak-maple forest, the massive limestone outcroppings, and the hidden hollows of the 6,500- acre ranch. This wild tract is located just east of Lake Tenkiller, 167 miles east of Oklahoma City, 79 miles from Tulsa and 53 miles west of Fort Smith.
Diamond H Program Director: Curt Geimer (405) 840-1114
What’s nearby?
Adjoining the property is the 15,000-acre Cookson Wildlife Management Area. Terrapin Creeks flows down to Tenkiller Ferry Lake, known as the clearest lake in Oklahoma with 13,000 acres of water and 130 miles of shoreline. The scenic Illinois River offers 70 miles of floating possibilities and 8 miles of coldwater trout fishing. The Cherokee Nation is headquartered in Tahlequah and offers several cultural attractions including the Cherokee Heritage Center.
Check-in
If a campmaster is on the property when you arrive, please check-in with him in the camp office on the northwest corner of the central lodge and give him your camping roster. If no campmaster is on the property, please sign-in and leave your camping roster in the large binder in the podium just inside the camp office.
Check-out
Please check out with the campmaster on property in the camp office. If you have reserved or used any items in the central lodge, please see the cleaning checklist under the central lodge section of this guide. Make sure all of your trash has been placed in the dumpster at the central lodge, or is being taken with you. All equipment should be returned, and all fires must be completely extinguished. If you have noticed any maintenance issues during your stay, please take a moment to list them on sheet by the sign-in binder so they can be repaired before the next visitors arrive. ‘Leave it better than you found it!’
Leave No Trace
Diamond H Scout Ranch is protected as a backcountry camping facility and should be maintained as an unimpacted wilderness area. Therefore, it is essential that all Leave No Trace procedures be followed. The principles of Leave No Trace might seem unimportant until you consider the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire may have little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone's responsibility.
The seven principles of Leave No Trace are:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces
- Dispose of Waste Properly
- Leave What You Find
- Minimize Campfire Impacts
- Respect Wildlife
- Be Considerate of Other Visitors
Details regarding the Leave No Trace Principles can be found on the scouting website: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/Te achingLeaveNoTrace/064_principles.aspx
Here are a few examples of how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace at Diamond H:
- Plan to bring light equipment that you can carry into a remote campsite.
- Keep vehicles on established roads.
- ‘Pack it in, pack it out.’ Carry all your own trash out of the backcountry. Use catholes and biodegradeable toilet paper when backpacking.
- Leave fossils, rocks, and bones where you find them so that others may enjoy them as well.
- Only build fires in established campfire rings. Units should plan to bring burn barrels if campfires are permitted.
- Give wildlife, such as eagles and deer, a wide birth. Plan to use bear bags in the backcountry.
- Let the sounds of nature prevail while on the trail.
Damage
Sometimes things happen that are unavoidable. However, if damage is deliberate or due to negligence, then campers must pay for repairs or replacement.
Pets
No pets are allowed on the camp property.
Smoking
Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas and away from all youth. Smoking is not permitted in or near any buildings. All cigarette butts must be disposed of and not left on the ground.
Alcohol/Drugs
No alcohol or drugs are allowed on camp property ever!
Campsites, Roads, and Parking
Campsites
Campers are welcome to camp anywhere on the property, other than near/in/around the Meinder’s House or the barns. A number of areas are often used for camping that are near latrines, including Lake LaDonna, Lookout Point, Lake Cullum, and Terrapin Creek. Please contact the Last Frontier Council Scout Office if you would like more ideas about where to camp.
Latrines
There are latrines located at Lake LaDonna, Lookout Point, Lake Cullum, Terrapin Creek, and Base Camp. Please don’t forget to bring biodegradable toilet paper for use in all latrines.
Roads
The speed limit on all roads at camp is 15 mph unless otherwise posted. Please be aware that that there are a number of hazards on camp roads, including washed out bridges, gravel roads, steep grades, sharp corners, cows, trolls, and sharp shooting Scouts! Large vehicles and trailers should be especially cautious!
Vehicles and Parking
Wear and tear from vehicles destroys the natural environment at Diamond H, therefore, in order to decrease the impact on the property, please keep all vehicles on designated roads at all times. Limit the use of vehicles throughout camp in general, however, we understand that sometimes it is necessary to use vehicles to transport items/campers. Therefore, independent camping are allowed 2 vehicles in camp at a time. Any other vehicles should be parked at the Central Lodge parking lot at all times. Special events, such as camporees, may implement different rules, including a limit on the number of vehicles permitted out of the parking lot.
Maps
There are a number of maps available to download below. These maps will clearly mark topographical information, elevation, and property boundaries in addition to campsites, activity areas, and the central lodge. Please visit the website before your trip and print off maps for everyone in your group. Diamond H is an extremely large property and it is ESSENTIAL that you have a map to be able to properly navigate the camp. You will also need a compass to assist in your navigation. A GPS device is extremely handy, but not essential.
DOWNLOAD DH Topo Map - Cherokee County only
DOWNLOAD DH Topo Map - Main Tract
DOWNLOAD DH Topo Map - Terrapin Creek Tract
DOWNLOAD DH Topographic Map - Entire Camp
Hiking Trails
Diamond H has a number of hunting trails and roads throughout the property, but very few designated hiking trails. Most of these roads and trails will be marked on the above map. However, some of the trails on the map may not have been used for an extended period of time, and therefore, may be difficult to find and follow. It is much safer to rely 4 on your map and compass than to count on finding a trail to follow! Hikers are encouraged to plan their own routes using a combination of hunting trails, roads, hiking trails, and cross-country travel.
Fences
Diamond H is a working cattle ranch. Hikers will likely come across numerous fences and gates on the property. Feel free to cross any gates and nonbarbed wire fences, however, be sure to leave all gates the way you found them – if they are open, leave them open; if they are closed, leave them closed! Also, please do not attempt to cross any barbed wire fences while you are on the property!
Property Boundaries
Please stay within the Diamond H Property lines shown on the map at all times while at camp. The property is bordered on all sides by neighbors. The only exception to this rule is the road that connects the two separate pieces of the Diamond H property. When travelling between the main campground and the Terrapin Creek campground, please stay on the main dirt road. The neighboring Cookson Wildlife Management Area is open to hiking at certain times of year. Please contact the Last Frontier Council office for more information.
Water
A single water spigot is available at Base Camp near the road. The source is well water. Bring your own water to camp and plan to re-supply at Base Camp as needed. In the backcountry, water is available throughout the year in streams and pools. Water purification is recommended to prevent giardia. In very dry conditions, water may be limited to Terrapin Creek and Vian Creek and impossible to find on top of the hills.
Critters
Black bears have been occasionally sighted on Diamond H property. Use bear precautions when hiking and backpacking, including the use of bear bags. Keep a clean campsite, keep no food in or near tents, and review all bear precautions before visiting the camp. Other hazardous animals at camp include ticks, spiders, scorpions, centipedes, rattlesnakes and copperheads. Raccoons and skunks are also attracted to food. Armadillos are very common at camp, but are not a nuisance. Be respectful of wildlife. Diamond H is home to two wild mustangs that stay on top of Jackson Mountain. Golden eagles and bald eagles visit in the winter. Owls, turtles, frogs and coyotes are common. Enjoy the sights and sounds of the animals, but do not get too close.
Central Lodge, Food, and Garbage Policies
Central Lodge Facilities: The Central Lodge is available for campers to use at a rate of $50/weekend. It contains 6 showers and toilets, 2 washing machines and dryers, and 5 bunk rooms (10 beds). It also has a kitchen equipped with an 8-burner cooktop, 2 ovens, 3 sinks, a fridge, a freezer, coffee maker, and microwave. The Dining Hall in the central lodge contains tables and chairs to seat 150 people. The outside of the central lodge also has an outdoor grill, an outdoor fire pit, 3 flagpoles, and a dumpster. Please contact the Scout Office at (405) 840-1114 if you wish to reserve the central lodge.
Check-in Book: Please sign-in and sigh-out in the large binder in the podium just inside the camp office. Please also leave your camping roster in this binder.
Kitchen and Food: The Central Lodge has a fully equipped kitchen. Campers are invited to use any of the equipment in the kitchen if they have reserved the lodge, however, these items should not be removed from the kitchen. The food items in the kitchen are also available for use at campers’ discretion. Food items in the kitchen are not regularly monitored, so it is the campers’ responsibility to observe and follow all expiration dates! Some food items may be expired! Campers are not to use any items in the storage room of the kitchen.
Cleaning Checklist: If you use the central lodge building at all, for any reason, you will need to do the following:
- Remove all left over food items from the cupboards, storage room, refrigerator and freezer. No open food items you brought are to remain. Unopened or boxed (and securely taped), paper goods and canned goods may be left if you feel others could use them.
- Clean: microwave, countertops, stove, oven, sinks, and refrigerator. Make sure dishwasher is empty. Wipe down outsides of cupboards, freezer and refrigerator. Clean any food residue or grease from wall around stoves.
- Clean and restock kitchen bathroom and “outside” bathroom and shower areas. You must clean toilets and urinals.
- Empty all trash cans in kitchen, dining hall and bathrooms. Wash any garbage out of cans. Place all garbage in the provided dumpster.
- Wash, dry and put away all kitchen laundry (use washer & dryers). Clean lint from dryer traps.
- Clean and empty dining room cupboards and counter top.
- Wash all tables & chairs. Return tables to carts and fold chairs up & return.
- Sweep & mop all floors. Thoroughly rinse mop heads in the mop sink. Place wet mops with handles pointed down in the mop sink to dry when finished.
- Do a final walk through and check to make sure all items on the checklist have been completed.
- Turn out lights, shut doors and reset thermostats to the same place as you found them.
- On your return, please notify the Scout Office if you notice any problems!
Activities
Shooting Sports: There are two shooting ranges with large berms and backstops. There is no shelter or permanent latrine at the ranges.
Canoeing: Canoeing is available for campers on the property. Diamond H has several canoes, paddles, life vests, and a canoe trailer available for campers to rent. Please note that any person in a canoe on the property MUST wear a life vest!
Fishing: A number of opportunities for fishing are available at Diamond H. There are catfish in the two large lakes on the property, and bass & sunfish in the ponds. Campers should bring all their own fishing supplies.
Swimming: Due to the fact that fishing has occurred in all lakes and ponds on the property, no swimming is allowed.
Geocaching: A number of permanent geocaches have been set up on the property and are available for campers to locate. The caches include items for trading, so campers are encouraged to bring items to swap. A full guide to the geocaching on the property is available online at www.diamondhscoutranch.org.
Hiking & Backpacking: A large number of hiking and backpacking trails are available for campers to use at their leisure. Most of these trails are marked on the Diamond H maps.
**Lists of all available gear/equipment including size, quantities, and associated fees are available on the Diamond H website! Visit http://diamondhscoutranch.org/ For more information**
Packing List
Always carry the Basic Outdoor Essentials. It is recommended that you bring the following items, in addition to your typical weekend camping items, when visiting Diamond H Scout Ranch due to its unique terrain and grounds.
- Water jugs/water pump
- Maps of the property
- Communication equipment
- Biodegradable toilet paper
- 1st aid kit
- Trowel
- Fire Barrel
Geocaching
There are many geocaches at Diamond H, and we encourage you to hike around on Sunday and look for some of the caches. Some are very close to the shooting areas on Saturday as well. Each cache at Diamond H has a theme and swag, and some have Cherokee names. If you plan to trade items in a cache, please prepare and bring appropriate themed items. When exchanging objects from a cache, please follow the geocaching ethic of adding an item of equal or greater value than the item you take as a souvenir. For example, all the items in the Red Springs cache are red. You might trade a red plastic fork for a queen of hearts playing card. You might trade a red flashlight for a red wristwatch. The Bandit Waterfall cache contains items worth stealing. You might trade a nickel for a plastic coin, or a rare or foreign coin for a unique belt buckle. At the Heart of the Camp, you might exchange a diamond-suit playing card for a small diamond or a diamondback rattlesnake for a large diamond. Be creative with the items you put in the caches
Campfire on the Hill (unawi godv gadusi) N35˚ 39.3721’ W94˚ 53.5793’
Swag: In this campfire cache, please use objects made of wood.
Knotty Hill N35˚ 38.2189’ W94˚ 53.6546’
Swag: Please exchange a small length of cord, string, or rope with a knot from this cache.
Hidden Pasture N35˚ 38.0196’ W94˚ 52.6341’
Swag: Objects that are green.
Hermit’s Cave N35˚ 38.7879’ W94˚ 51.1570’
Swag: Scouting-related items or items with a fleur-de-lis.
Red Springs (gigage diganvgogv) N35˚ 38.8366’ W94˚ 51.0441’
Swag: Items that are red.
Stone Throne N35˚ 39.7504’ W94˚ 51.4568’
Swag: Items fit for royalty.
Flowers & Philanthropy N35˚ 40.2502’ W94˚ 52.5345’
Swag: A flower or something with a flower on it.
Eagle Pillar N35˚ 39.8898’ W94˚ 53.1045’
Swag: Something silver or something with an eagle
Cedar Rock N35˚ 40.0023’ W94˚ 53.0373’
Swag: Things that are prehistoric.
Bandit Waterfall N35˚ 40.1417’ W94˚ 52.7189’
Swag: Something worth stealing!
Heart of the Camp (unawi unadi) N35˚ 39.8531’ W94˚ 52.8829’
Swag: Items with diamonds or in the shape of a diamond.
Download PDFs by clicking the images below
Weekend Camping Guide
Directions to Diamond H
Topo map of Cookson WMA
