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Camper submitted image from Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State ParkView 7 Photos
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Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park

6 ReviewsAdd Review
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Reservations are available at Little Sandy Campground inside Lake Thunderbird State Park, where sites run $25 to $26 per night with electric and water hookups. Concrete pads accommodate RVs up to 30 amps, and a dump station sits on the main road roughly a quarter mile north of the campground entrance. Roads inside the park have drawn criticism from multiple visitors, with one reviewer describing them as needing replacement or major patching, so drivers with low-clearance vehicles should factor that in.

Site spacing varies noticeably depending on where you land. The upper loop tends to have more room between neighbors and more tree cover, while sites closer to the lake are tighter. Weekends draw crowds. Weekday stays are considerably quieter, with one camper noting the campground becomes "a bit busy" once the weekend hits. Water access from campsites can require walking through adjacent sites when the campground is full, and low water pressure has been reported during peak occupancy. The lake itself carries the characteristic red tint of central Oklahoma water.

Bathroom cleanliness has come up repeatedly in reviews, with multiple visitors flagging the facilities near the lake as a consistent weak point. Fishing, hiking, and biking are available within the park. Campers who want full hookups with waterfront access may find Hickory Hill — Lake Thunderbird State Park worth comparing, though reviewers note those sites are more densely packed. For a broader look at campgrounds around Lake Thunderbird State Park, options like Hog Creek West — Lake Thunderbird State Park and Hog Creek East — Lake Thunderbird State Park are also nearby.

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Map & DirectionsLittle Sandy Campground is located in Oklahoma near Norman

Detail location of campground
Public Campground

Coordinates

35.24332519 N
97.24051455 W

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Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 8/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage

Connectivity

Presented byT-MobileT-Mobile is introducing T-Satellite to extend coverage in the outdoorsLearn More
  • signal strength bars
    T-Mobile5G
    Good Coverage
    Verified by 4 users
    Last on 8/1/26
  • signal strength bars
    Verizon5G
    Excellent Coverage
  • signal strength bars
    AT&T5G
    Good Coverage

Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site

Site Types

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

Features

For Campers

  • Market
  • ADA Access
  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Reservable
  • Showers
  • Drinking Water
  • Electric Hookups
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Sanitary Dump
  • Sewer Hookups
  • Water Hookups
  • Big Rig Friendly

Drive Time

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Little Sandy Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

33%
33%
17%
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17%

3.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Campers regularly cited the well-spaced, level sites with good tree cover and helpful staff as key positives. Some visitors expressed disappointment with bathroom conditions and crowding during weekends, though weekdays offer a quieter experience.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile
Reviewed Apr. 21, 2022

Nice place, however bathrooms are horrible

Spacious campground with other campground in the area. Like Thunderbird, or Dirtybird as the locals call it gets a lot if use. Time to rebuild the horrible bathroom by the lake. Roads need to be replaced or major patching. Some campsites are very close to each other while others have good spacing. Stayed in one 30 amp RV site with water but no sweet. Dump station is well maintained. Concrete pads for RV’s blots if tent spaces but the bathrooms would spoil the fun. Price was tight for $25-$26 per night including power. Bugs , skunks, possum l, and 3 kinds of poisonous snakes. Though it was too cold for snakes. I’m from the Northwest so not used to these critters.

SiteLS035
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park by D37 ., April 21, 2022
  • Review photo of Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park by D37 ., April 21, 2022
  • Review photo of Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park by D37 ., April 21, 2022
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Jan. 25, 2022

Wonderful Park!

Great quiet out of the way place.... during the week... weekends get a bit busy!!

Sites are well spaced apart and pretty level. Most have electric and water with a central located dump station near by.

Plenty of fishing to be had at the lake... hiking and biking also in area..

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Sep. 11, 2021

Nice well kept State Park!

Typical state park. Was good for the value but will say the staff at the main office were very helpful! They saw to it that curfew was enforced!!!! COVID was is in place and staff saw to it that the state stds. were followed.

SiteLittle Sandy area
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 9, 2021

Something from a horror movie

Avid tent camper here, camped from California to South Carolina. Wanted to spend the weekend close to home. And honestly just embarrassed to be from Oklahoma City with the way Thunderbird was. Stayed at Little Sandy 17. First every campsite we reserved had people on them so we had to kick people off multiple sites so we could set up. The bathrooms were a disgrace. Even after being “cleaned”. Will never go back to this place.

Sitelittle sandy tent sites
Month of VisitMay
Reviewed May. 3, 2020

Crowded but a nice quick getaway

Hadn't been to Lake Thunderbird since I was a kid (40+ years ago) and all I could remember is that we always called it Lake Dirtybird because of the water. As far as that is concerned nothing has really changed. Typical central Oklahoma red water. 

We stayed a couple of nights at Little Sandy Campground. There weren't any full hookups and we had to stay at a spot that was water and electric only ... and boy were we glad. The full hookup sites in the next campground over -- Hickory Hill -- were packed in like sardines. Our site on the upper loop of Little Sandy was away from all the hubub but also away from the water, so there was that. If you don't mind being right up against the next camper, Hickory Hill has some full hookup sites right on the water. However, the upper loop of Little Sandy was nice with all the trees and the better-spaced sites. In my opinion spot 36 is the best one. No one can camp behind you and there's a lot of space to the south. The dump site it up on the main road about a quarter of mile north from the campground entrance and easily accessible.
We stayed the first weekend of May 2020 ... the first weekend some of the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. The place was PACKED, especially with tent campers. No judgment, just saying there were a lot of them. It was tough finding a path to the water without walking through someone's campsite. The water pressure was pretty low at the site and my guess it was due to all the sites being in use.
All in all it was a nice weekend, but I've stayed at nicer and quieter places.

SiteLittle Sandy site 36
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park by Brian B., May 3, 2020
Showing results 1-6 of 6 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Little Sandy Beach area at Lake Thunderbird State Park like for camping?

Little Sandy Campground at Lake Thunderbird State Park offers a spacious camping area with well-spaced sites, most providing good privacy. The campground is generally quiet during weekdays, though it becomes busier on weekends. It's situated near the lake (known for its characteristic Oklahoma red water), making it convenient for water activities. The area features fire pits and grills at campsites, though some visitors note the roads and facilities could use maintenance. It's a typical Oklahoma state park experience with good outdoor access for fishing, hiking, and biking opportunities nearby.

What types of camping are available at Lake Thunderbird State Park's Little Sandy area?

Little Sandy Campground accommodates both tent camping and RV camping. Most sites include electrical hookups (30 amp) and water, making them suitable for recreational vehicles. There's a centrally located dump station nearby for RVs. The sites are fairly level and spacious, with varied distances between them - some offer good privacy while others are closer together. Each site typically includes amenities like fire pits and grills for a comfortable camping experience.

Is swimming allowed at Little Sandy Beach in Lake Thunderbird?

Swimming is permitted at Little Sandy Beach in Lake Thunderbird, but be aware that the lake has the characteristic red-tinted water typical of central Oklahoma lakes. Locals sometimes refer to it as "Lake Dirtybird" due to this coloration. The swimming experience is basic and natural rather than pristine. For the most current swimming conditions or seasonal restrictions, check with park staff upon arrival.

How much do campsites at Lake Thunderbird's Little Sandy area cost?

Lake Thunderbird's Little Sandy Campground offers reasonably priced sites typical of Oklahoma state parks. Campers describe the pricing as good value, especially for sites with 30-amp electricity and water hookups. For the most current and specific fee information, it's recommended to check with Lake Thunderbird State Park directly as camping fees can change seasonally and may vary based on amenities (electric/non-electric) and whether you're booking a premium site. Reservation fees may apply in addition to nightly camping rates.

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