Checotah sits at the crossroads of Interstate 40 and Highway 69 in eastern Oklahoma, surrounded by Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma's largest lake with over 600 miles of shoreline. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for outdoor activities. Camping options range from primitive sites with minimal amenities to luxury glamping facilities with full hookups and resort-style services.
What to do
Swimming and water recreation: Brooken Cove Campground offers multiple sandy beach areas ideal for family swimming. "The water is shallow for a great distance out, making it good for swimming," notes a camper at Brooken Cove Campground.
Fishing opportunities: Multiple species including bass and trout can be caught directly from campground shores. "You can still hear the sounds of nature. Fish constantly flopping in and out of the water, missed out on not bringing a permit and pole!" reports a visitor at Brooken Cove.
Hiking trails: Greenleaf State Park provides well-marked trails suitable for various skill levels. "The trails at greenleaf are well maintained and marked. Their primitive camping is accessible and well kept. I enjoy the size of the park it is small and offers a lot of room for exploring," explains a camper at Greenleaf State Park.
Outdoor games: Many campgrounds maintain dedicated recreation areas. "They had cornhole, volleyball, horseshoes and many more" on a "beautiful well maintained grassy area," according to a visitor at Brooken Cove.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings support diverse animal populations. "The first evening I wandered down to use the restroom and I observed a pack of turkeys quietly making their way down the ridge. It was magical," shares a camper at Greenleaf State Park.
Lake views: Premium sites offer direct water access and scenic vistas. A camper at Gentry Creek Landing notes, "We are right on the lake with beach access to enter. Water and electric hook ups at all spots with a central dumping station."
Seasonal activities: Fall brings special opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. "We had a blast. The first night it was truly freezing but we made it through. We went to enjoy hiking & fall colors and we're not disappointed," reports a visitor at Greenleaf State Park.
Quiet off-peak experiences: Many campgrounds become more peaceful outside summer. "If you dig the crowds and the splash park scene and the loud music... hit it in the summer. But if you like it quiet and peaceful check it out in the winter or early spring," advises a camper at Greenleaf.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some campgrounds strictly enforce booking policies. "Be aware, you will not be allowed into the park without a prior reservation. My husband and I came late into the area and needed a place to sleep," cautions a visitor at Gentry Creek Landing.
Site selection considerations: Campsite quality varies significantly within the same campground. At Robbers Cave State Park, a camper advises, "I will stay in the old circle campgrounds next time, they looked like they had bigger spots with more privacy than whispering pines."
Weather impacts: Seasonal conditions affect activities and site quality. "If it rains before you go or is forecasted to rain bring your hight top boots, especially if you plan to do any packing," recommends a camper at Greenleaf State Park.
Bathroom quality varies: Facility maintenance differs between locations and seasons. "The only toilet was infested with wasps, so we weren't able to use it. But the night skies were gorgeous," reports a camper at Gentry Creek Landing.
Tips for camping with families
Water safety precautions: Monitor children around water features. At Little Turtle RV & Storage, a visitor observed, "The playground is right next to a pond with no fence."
Kid-friendly amenities: Choose campgrounds with dedicated children's facilities. "We enjoyed hiking the trails and our little one enjoyed the splash pad. The splash pad is fairly new and kept in great shape. It is a local favorite," shares a camper at Sequoyah State Park.
Spacing between sites: Consider privacy when booking with children. "The sites are close together, it was beyond crowded (my son couldn't even ride his bike because of the constant amount of cars)," reports a visitor at Marval Camping Resort.
Seasonal programming: Check for scheduled activities when planning visits. "They do trick or treating every weekend - which is fun!" notes a camper at Sequoyah State Park about their October offerings.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Verify measurements before booking. "Our campsite, #33, was perched on top of a hill, accessible by a fairly long, steep incline. The site is not level and would be appropriate only for shorter RVs," advises a visitor at Gentry Creek Landing.
Hookup details: Water connections sometimes require additional equipment. "In our site we needed 50 ft of water hose and I would suggest bringing a 'y' water connector," notes a camper at Greenleaf State Park.
Pull-through availability: Some sites better accommodate larger vehicles. "We were in site 13, closest to the highway along with two cabins and the playground. Extremely noisy so if traffic bothers you request a site towards the back," recommends a visitor at Checotah-Lake Eufaula KOA.
Leveling requirements: Many sites require additional equipment. "Pull through 50 amp. We're towing a 28ft Airstream and it was level enough we didn't need to unhitch. Listed as a gravel site but more dirt than gravel," reports a KOA visitor.