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Blue River Campground

12 Reviews

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CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Blue River Campground, near Tishomingo, Oklahoma, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature while enjoying some good old-fashioned camping. With its beautiful river and surrounding hills, it offers a rustic experience that many visitors cherish.

This campground is known for its spacious sites that allow for a bit of privacy, making it a great choice for families or anyone seeking a peaceful retreat. Campers often rave about the clear waters, perfect for fishing, and the nearby trails that lead down to the river. As one visitor put it, “The water is so clear, you can see the fish in it.”

While amenities are limited—there's no electricity and only a few pit toilets—many find the lack of distractions refreshing. The area is popular for fishing, especially during trout season, and visitors recommend getting there early to secure a good spot. Just remember to bring your Oklahoma fishing license if you plan to camp here.

For those who enjoy a bit of adventure, there are opportunities for hiking and exploring the nearby wilderness. Just be mindful of the local wildlife, as raccoons can be quite the food thieves if you're not careful. Whether you're looking to fish, hike, or simply relax by the river, Blue River Campground is a solid choice for your next outdoor getaway.

Description

Currently at the Blue there is no charge for camping, however campers must have an annual fishing or hunting license or a Blue River Passport in lieu of the license. Campsite availability is on a first come first serve basis; no reservations. The Blue offers primitive camping at it's best. The beautiful and rustic setting is a campers dream.

Area 1 Area 1 runs downstream from Hughes Crossing and is one mile long. There are 29 campsites in Area 1 along with four parking spots. At the end of Area 1 is a large camping site that can be used for group camping. There are two primitive rest room facilities in Area 1. Area 1 consists of five large falls with a number of smaller ripples, forks, and branches. During season trout can be seen rising quite often in some of the slower pools above the heads of the smaller falls.

Area 2 Area 2 is upstream from Hughes Crossing on the west side of the river. Including the parking area Area 2 offers 41 camping spots and the parking area is often used by RV owners. There is one primitive bath room facility at the north end of Area 2 and a bath room facility close to the parking area. There are seven larger falls within Area 2 and a number of ripples, pools, and eddies. From the north end of Area 2, anglers can take a trail that will lead to Desperado Springs and the south walk in trail of the south wildnerness Area.

Area 3 Area 3 is across Hughes Crossing and has 4 campsites. There is a primitive rest room facility nearby. Area 3 is a more remote camping site and access to the river is by walk in.

Area 4 Area 4 is a remote campsite with two campsites. This area is for those wanting to get away from it all. Walk in access to the river. No primitive rest room facilities.

Areas 5 & 6 There are two campsites at Area 5. Area 5 is located across from the south end of Area 1. Campsites are located on a bluff overlooking a beautiful falls. No primitive rest room facilities.

Area 6 is one large group area which can easily accomodate 15 to 20 tents. A primitive rest room located at Area 6. Area 6 and the upstream area is known as the "mystic" place and enchanted woods of Blue River. The upstream water forks and splits several directions creating intimate waterways.

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Location

Blue River Campground is located in Oklahoma

Coordinates

34.3157423 N
96.61845882 W

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Detours Nearby

LOCAL FAVORITES PRESENTED BY

Pennington Creek Park

15 min away

COE Lake Texoma Burns Run West

57 min away

Drive Time

Presented by

1 hr 12 min from Sherman
1 hr 52 min from Oklahoma City
2 hrs 15 min from Lawton
2 hrs 18 min from Dallas

Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Hike-In
Backcountry sites.

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Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group
Tent Cabin

Features

For Campers

Market
Trash
Firewood Available
Phone Service
Reservable
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

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Water Hookups

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General Info

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Tyler S.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 29, 2025

Blue River camping

This place is a gem and is the only natural aquifer left in Oklahoma. You have to have fishing licenses to enter. I thought that was very strange provided we only camp to camp and swim.

SiteNA

Month of VisitJuly

Edward S.

Scout

Reviewed May. 27, 2024

Good times.

Taught my two boys at 8 & 9 years old how to camp and fish there 31 years ago. Had many good times. Wish I could go back in time. 🥲 Did a lot of camping with the boys . Winter or fall was best. Large camp fire,many blankets. And a good tent. Still have my VCR tapes camping. . And the VCR player.😂😂 Would usually camp across the spill way 2nd area to the right. Also I'd recommend the last camping spot to the right at the very end you can walk down to the river and fish. Nice open area with trails to the river. Was always a Bass man but learned how to trout fish there. I would check when trout tournaments are going on. Gets very crowded. Wish I could go back in time. I've camped there when I was the only person camping. One of the things I didn't like was when camping trailers would come to camp . Sometimes you would hear their generators start up across the river but most of the time very nice and peaceful. I always camped across the river. Highly recommend this place for family and someone that just wants peace and quiet which is most of the time out there. Would recommend going during the week, weekends tend to get a little crowded summertime. swimming and fishing. Wildlife. Before entering the river I would stop at Scotty's bait shop which 30 years ago had great breakfast all the supplies you need and Scotty was a really really nice guy let me fish on his property when my boys were small because we weren't catching anything at the river hopefully he's been doing well. Just remember… take with you what you brought and a little extra that someone left. Keep it clean and nice for our future campers. The boys and I always brought shovel and toilet paper. At that time there was only one main brick bathroom. Usually too many hornets and wasp so we just dug a hole and buried it you know what I mean haha camping in the woods. Haven't been there in 20 plus years someday I'll go back set up a tent and reminisce. Hopefully it's still a nice place. Ed, from Wellston Oklahoma

Corey C.

Guide

Reviewed May. 19, 2022

Get there early

Great campground! Plenty of dispersed sites, with no cell phone access (visible on Verizon towers) which makes the trip more enjoyable.

Month of VisitApril

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Aaron T.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 11, 2021

Not bad

We ended up about halfway down on campsite 1 not to many great places to get with an overlanding rig the way they have it set up, but it’s pretty, there is a few trails that lead down to the river you can get a line in if your careful, not really any good swimming holes by where we’re at but it is really pretty so that’s a plus the toilets aren’t terrible we don’t use them but if you had to they aren’t the worst I have seen. There is just a lot of rowdy people here if that’s your thing this is your place, where we ended up isn’t terrible it’s decently quite but more people Than we’re use to but all in all for a free campsite you can’t beat it it’s pretty well maintained and not to dirty.

Sitesection 1 spot 13

Month of VisitSeptember

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Matt N.

Guide

Reviewed Nov. 2, 2020

Annual Trip

We come here every February for a guys' trip. We camp and fish. Scotty's is a great place to stop in and get local fishing advice as well as a tasty breakfast/lunch. Campsites are far enough apart to feel secluded.

Martin S.

Scout

Reviewed Oct. 19, 2020

Beautiful place in Southern OK

Beautiful river in the hills of Southern Oklahoma.This is a public fishing and hunting area and not a state park , therefore it is much more primitive. For the most part campers are responsible for cleaning up after themselves, many of whom refuse to do so. There were a lot of toilet paper piles and dirty diapers in the woods surrounding the campsites. The area was also packed full of people with Texas tags. The area gets more pristine the further you get from the campsites and parking areas. There is a catch and release trophy section at the upper reaches of the river. Be sure to have the proper outdoors license for your activity as the area is heavily patrolled and enforced. Be aware of the barbless hook areas. The river mostly consists of clear water flowing over a series of rock ledges with long clear pools in between. It is not ideal for floating as you will have to portage every quarter mile or so. The facilities consist of a few pit toilets that are not regularly cleaned. Outside of the camping and parking areas there is no vehicle access.

Jennifer D.

Ranger

Reviewed Sep. 28, 2020

My new favorite

This place is so beautiful and FREE! You must have a fishing or hunting license to camp here. Camping stops are spaced out very well. It is primitive camping. There is no electricity and there are some bathrooms but very few which doesn’t bother me bc I don’t use them anyways. It is very relaxing and was somewhat quiet other than the person 50 yards away allowing their kids to scream bloody murder for over an hour lol but other than that it was peaceful! Will be returning soon with my son to take him fishing. The water is so clear, you can see the fish in it.

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Hope F.

Guide

Reviewed Oct. 31, 2019

Great place to camping

Great place to camp. Stayed during Thanksgiving, after Blue River was stocked with Trout, fishing was awesome. Great family camping and fishing. Highly recommended. We be returning.

Brandi G.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 6, 2019

Can be good depending on time of year

My husband and I come here to enjoy some good ‘ol fashion camping. He especially likes this place because he is able to go trout fishing in the river next to the campsite. The only thing that this campground does not have is electric hook ups and there are only a few restrooms that are dispersed throughout the place. So depending where you stay, you might have to walk a ways to get to a restroom. It can also get pretty busy during the trout season and whenever they host trout derbies.

Tracy C.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 11, 2018

Perfect Nature

We have been camping at the Blue River for years and it doesn't get old. Expect VERY rustic camping. Small falls and rope swings make this the perfect way to cool off in the hot Oklahoma sun. There are some snakes, so be watchful, but they don't bother us ever. Stars are bright and it is generally very peaceful. plenty of spots for privacy or larger group camps... lots of places right by the water or nestled around trees. The bluff spots are my favorite in the Fall. Scotty's one stop shop will keep you in ice and they have a fantastic grill, when it's open. The raccoons can be aggressive, keep your food put up in your car or a cooler and throw away your trash nightly unless you want to pick it up in pieces the next day. They may rip your tent to get to food, seriously, put it up. I think they're hilarious... my friends did not... Still, we all love this place.

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Dan N.

Ranger

Reviewed Oct. 1, 2016

Only for those with an OK fishing license

Luckily our friends in the area knew about this spot and the restrictions: you need to have an OK fishing license to camp (or visit) here. If you do have the license, the campground is free but they do not provide any services or amenities, except an open site among the trees with a fire pit. Many sites close to the water and not far from waterfalls. If you’re not fishing, there are hiking trails and you can rent kayaks or a raft nearby for rapids. Nice little space but not a good place to stay if you’re just traveling through (since you need that license).

Melanie W.

Legend

Reviewed Aug. 17, 2016

Free Camping

The Blue River is beautiful. The camping is free but you must have an Oklahoma fishing license rather your fishing or not to camp there. There is around 80 campsites nestled in the woods along the bank of this beautiful clear river. It is primitive camping. There is no electric, water faucets, picnic tables, or grills. The bathrooms are primitive as in no flushing toilets. No showers. Hiking is great but watch out for snakes on the ground along trails. I saw a few. There are many snakes such as rattlesnakes and copperheads. I havent saw water moccasins maybe because the water is too cold. River PFHA is owned and managed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What camping options are available at Blue River Campground?

Blue River Campground offers primitive camping only with no hookups or amenities. There are approximately 80 campsites nestled in the woods along the riverbank, providing a true rustic outdoor experience. Each site typically includes a fire pit. The campground has no electricity or water hookups, making it ideal for tent camping or self-contained RVs. Sites are generally well-spaced, providing a sense of seclusion while camping in this natural setting.

Where is Blue River Campground located in Oklahoma?

Blue River Campground is located in southern Oklahoma, near Tishomingo. It sits along the beautiful Blue River, which is one of Oklahoma's last remaining natural aquifers. The campground is situated in a hilly, wooded area that provides a scenic backdrop for camping. While somewhat remote, local establishments like Scotty's are nearby for supplies and fishing advice.

Are there photos of Blue River Campground to view before visiting?

While official photo galleries of Blue River Campground may be limited, you can find images online showing the clear waters of Blue River, wooded campsites, and the natural surroundings. The campground features scenic views of the river, small waterfalls, and forested camping areas. For the most current and comprehensive visual information, check the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website or social media platforms where visitors often share their camping experiences at Blue River.

What activities can you do while camping at Blue River in Oklahoma?

Blue River offers excellent fishing opportunities, particularly for trout when the river is stocked (popular during fall and winter months). Swimming in the clear waters is a favorite summer activity, with rope swings and small waterfalls adding to the fun. Hiking trails lead down to various river access points. Stargazing is exceptional due to minimal light pollution. The area also permits hunting during designated seasons. Nature observation is rewarding with diverse wildlife, though visitors should be watchful for snakes. The peaceful setting is perfect for relaxation and disconnecting, as cell service is limited.

Do you need reservations for Blue River Campground?

No reservations are required for Blue River Campground as it operates on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you must possess a valid Oklahoma fishing or hunting license to camp there, even if you don't plan to fish or hunt. This license serves as your camping permit. The campground is free to use with this license. During popular fishing seasons, especially after trout stocking, the campground can fill up quickly, so arriving early is recommended.

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