Camping spots near Ardmore, Oklahoma extend beyond the Chickasaw and Lake Murray areas to include diverse options across the Arbuckle Mountains. The region sits at an elevation of 720-880 feet with limestone outcroppings creating unique terrain for both water and land recreation. Water clarity varies significantly across the area's lakes, with Lake Murray offering exceptional visibility compared to other Oklahoma lakes.
What to do
Explore historic sites: Tucker's Tower at Lake Murray provides both nature center exhibits and panoramic views. "Be sure to take the time to explore 'the castle' it is Huge and if you can make it to the top you'll be rewarded with a view," shares a visitor to Turner Falls Park.
Kayaking accessible waterways: Multiple launch points allow easy water access with varying conditions. A camper at Buzzards Roost noted, "Each fire pit had it own grate that provides a cooking surface over the fire... All but a few campsites were on the water so it makes it easy to put in a small water craft or even pull a larger boat up to your site."
Night fishing: The clear waters support productive fishing after dark, especially for catfish. "We caught 3 catfish and and 2 crappie. Water was much clearer than other lakes I have been to in Oklahoma," reported a visitor at Buckhorn Campground.
Wildlife observation: Early mornings and dusk offer prime viewing opportunities. "When the sun starts setting the wildlife start to appear. 3 deer passed right by our campsite with no fear. And I watched a family of squirrels having a good day in a tree," noted a camper at The Point Campground.
What campers like
Concrete pads at water's edge: Level sites that remain dry during rain are highly valued. A visitor to Tipps Point Campground mentioned, "Can't beat this site for $29/night. The sites where we were at are a bit close together. It definitely would have been better to be further on the peninsula."
Lake clarity for swimming: The exceptional water visibility makes swimming more appealing. "The clear water lake is GORGEOUS and makes swimming more fun for any kids afraid of water critters, since you can see at least 10 feet down!" commented a camper at Rock Tower Campground.
Off-season solitude: Winter and early spring offer dramatically different camping experiences. A winter camper at Elephant Rock noted, "Stopped here on the way south to San Antonio. There were only two RVs in the entire campground. Reservations easily made online. Chose a nice spot adjacent to the Lake where I was visited by a friendly goose for breakfast."
Solar showers: The eco-friendly shower facilities receive positive feedback. "The timed showers are solar heated and the water temp was pleasant," wrote a visitor to The Point Campground.
What you should know
Site selection timing: Last-minute availability varies significantly by season. "I just kept refreshing the booking page," mentioned a camper at Tipps Point who found a cancellation when most sites were booked.
Water hookup distances: Some sites require extensive hose lengths. A visitor to Elephant Rock Campground shared, "We didn't realize we would need 50 feet of hose just to hook up to the water."
Campground crowding patterns: Different campgrounds fill at different rates. "We've never been to Chickasaw National Recreation Area so I tried to reserve a site online but they were ALL booked (Memorial Day Weekend). We found all of the tent sites at The Point were empty. I don't know why, the energy was much calmer and quieter," noted a camper who found unexpected availability.
Site privacy variations: The feeling of privacy varies dramatically between campgrounds. A visitor to Cedar Grove Campground mentioned, "I would compare the cramped feeling of this campground to being in an apartment where your neighbors are right on top of you versus a subdivision like Elephant Rock which has spacing between sites."
Tips for camping with families
Playground proximity: Select sites near dedicated play areas to balance supervision with relaxation. "There was a playground before you enter camp and there were several people there, this would be ideal for families camping," noted a visitor reviewing Cedar Grove.
Swimming accessibility: Beach areas with gradual entry points work best for younger children. At Cedar Grove Campground, a visitor observed, "This area of Lake Murray has a boat ramp but also a lot of beach space for swimming. There's a sandbar that extends out into the water almost to Elephant Rock."
Weather preparation: Temperatures can vary dramatically, even in shoulder seasons. "I camped here in November and was not at all prepared for how cold it was at night," shared a visitor to Turner Falls Park.
Dedicated family campgrounds: Some areas cater specifically to family groups. A visitor to The Point Campground noted, "We drove first to Buckhorn but almost every site was full. This seems like the popular grounds for campers with kids."
Tips from RVers
Site approach challenges: Several RV sites require careful navigation. A camper at Buckhorn Campground warned, "Just beware if you are camping in an RV, the site is VERY unlevel! We we're in a pop up camper and had one tire up off the ground at least 6 inches with our Baleveler."
Arrival timing: Early arrival is crucial for easier site access. "Even if you reserve a space arrive early. With this camp filling up the way it tends to navigating can be difficult and would become more and more so the more filled it becomes," advised a visitor to Cedar Grove.
Tree clearance for slides: Some sites have tree branches that interfere with RV slides. A Rock Tower camper noted, "Some of the trees need to be pruned back for your slide outs to clear."
Propane services: On-site propane fill options are limited to specific campgrounds. A camper at Red River Rose RV Resort commented, "Propane refill available on site (big plus)."
