Bell Cow Lake Campground C serves as the primary camping option near Chandler, Oklahoma, with multiple camping areas providing varied experiences. Located 3 miles west of Chandler's city center, the lake spans 1,150 acres with camping areas featuring different amenity levels. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, affecting campsite availability and water recreation opportunities.
What to do
Fishing experiences: Bell Cow Lake Campground C offers varied fishing opportunities though catch rates can be inconsistent. The lake contains numerous submerged obstacles that limit boat speeds naturally. A camper noted: "Lake is calm & shallow, so it is best for small boats and kayaks."
Swimming locations: Dedicated swim beaches exist at several campgrounds, though water clarity varies. At Stroud Municipal Lake, campers can swim directly from their sites. "When you want to cool off you can just walk from your campsite to the water and get in and cool off. However don't wear white when you go swimming because after you go swimming white cloths turn orange."
Horseback riding trails: Equestrian enthusiasts can access dedicated trails near Bell Cow Lake. "There are miles of equestrian trails. Hiked down one and the trail was very peaceful and beautiful. It had recently rained a lot, so I had a thick layer of red mud from the hike."
Wildlife watching: Campgrounds around Chandler support diverse wildlife viewing opportunities. Dawn and dusk offer the best wildlife spotting chances near lakeshores. One camper reported: "The view of the lake was beautiful, and the wildlife was pretty tame, which added a fun, close-to-nature vibe."
What campers like
Peaceful atmosphere: Many campers value the quieter sections at Bell Cow Lake Campground C. One reviewer shared: "This is a very clean camping area, one of the number one spots locals go to swim. The camping areas were very well shaded it came with electric, water and a fire ring."
Affordable rates: Camping costs remain reasonable compared to other regional options. A visitor at Stroud Municipal Lake reported: "Camping with electric is $18.00. Senior citizens (55 and up) and disabled citizens is $15.00. Primitive camping is $8.00."
Accessible water recreation: Direct water access ranks highly among visitor preferences. One camper noted: "The tent area is on the water with water access through the grass along the shoreline. Swimming was great with a sand bottom once you got past the grass along the shoreline."
Spacious campsites: Campers appreciate the room to spread out at several locations. A recent visitor stated: "The site had a spacious gravel pad, a sturdy picnic table on a concrete pad, a fire pit, a grill, and even a standing-height area that was perfect for setting up our camp kitchen."
What you should know
Bathroom conditions vary: Facility maintenance can be inconsistent across campgrounds. At Central State Park Campground, one camper reported: "Restrooms were gross, there was a large group staying near them and bugs were everywhere and they were trashed."
Water quality considerations: The region's lakes contain high mineral content, affecting water clarity. A camper warned: "The water is a bit sandy and turbid but the place we had was on the water and was great!"
Highway noise at some sites: Proximity to major roads affects some camping areas. One visitor mentioned: "One of the only things we did not like was with the campsite being 2 miles from I-44 you could hear the highway traffic all night."
Red dirt challenges: Oklahoma's characteristic soil affects camping experience. "The campground was clean and very comfortable. The only downside is the red dirt that is easy to track into your camper. It's Oklahoma."
Tips for camping with families
Look for playgrounds: Oklahoma City East KOA offers dedicated play areas for children. A visitor mentioned: "Nice playground for the kids, pool was closed (opens Memorial Day to Labor Day), dog park is large and very well shaded."
Reserve early for holidays: Holiday periods fill quickly at the best places to camp near Chandler, Oklahoma. One camper advised: "Getting a campsite near holidays like the 4th of July is almost impossible unless you go days early to get a spot."
Consider less crowded areas: Some campgrounds offer quieter alternatives to popular sections. "This area is quieter and less popular than area 'C', but it is a little bit more rustic."
Clay harvesting activities: The lakes' clay shores provide unique family entertainment. One creative camper shared: "The lake is filled with red clay. My mom and I harvested some and made little figures and baked them in the sun. We had so much fun."
Tips from RVers
Site selection guidance: At Oak Glen RV & Mobile Home Park, location matters for comfort. One RVer noted: "Perfect little spot for a nice cheap overnight stay on the way through Oklahoma. Not far from Walmart so it was a good place to restock the fridge!"
Level site considerations: Some campgrounds feature uneven sites requiring adjustment. "Our spot was a pull-through, not completely level, but that wasn't a problem for us."
Tree clearance awareness: Larger RVs may face challenges at some Chandler-area campgrounds. A visitor advised: "The spaces were a good size to fit our 45' toyhauler with 2 vehicles (and put the back patio down). There are a fair bit of trees, so big rigs use caution pulling into spaces."
Overnight convenience: Route 66 travelers find good overnight options near Chandler. "If your traveling on 44 or 66 its a good place for an overnight park. It's basically a gravel parking lot."
