Camping spots near Claremore, Oklahoma feature varied terrain with elevations ranging from 600 to 700 feet along the shores of Oologah Lake and the Verdigris River. The area has a humid subtropical climate with summer temperatures averaging 90°F and winter lows near 30°F. Camping season for many locations runs April through October, with higher lake levels typically occurring in spring.
What to do
Fishing from dedicated docks: Blue Creek Campground provides fishing opportunities with accessible docks near campsites. "The fishing dock was very spacious and secure for us and the grandkids," notes a visitor to Hawthorn Bluff.
Explore lake shorelines: The rocky shoreline at Oologah Lake offers shell hunting and wildlife viewing. A camper at Blue Creek shares, "Aside from fishing and boating, there are many activities you can enjoy here including volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and basketball. When the gate attendant is there, you can check out supplies for these activities."
Visit Goat Island: Accessible by boat from several campgrounds around Oologah Lake. "There's a island in the middle called goat island that is fun to check out. It's a great little lake for fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking and swimming," mentions a reviewer at Redbud Bay.
Kayaking the Verdigris River: Launch from riverside campgrounds for calm water paddling. A visitor to Bluff Landing reports, "We took our kayaks out to enjoy the beautiful sunset! They have decent bathrooms that were clean!"
What campers like
Well-maintained facilities: Many campgrounds feature clean restrooms and showers. At Blue Creek, a reviewer noted, "Bathrooms were well kept and stocked, view of the lake was gorgeous."
Waterfront campsites: Several campgrounds offer sites directly overlooking the water. A camper at Hawthorn Bluff commented, "We had a great site on the bluff overlooking the lake. It was close to the restroom that was very clean and convenient."
Proximity to urban amenities: Camping spots near Claremore provide outdoor recreation while staying close to shopping and services. "Peaceful area outside of Tulsa metro on the outskirts of Broken Arrow near Coweta. 25min drive into Tulsa. 10min drive to Walmart and fast food," explains a visitor to Bluff Landing.
Spacious camping areas: Many sites offer ample room for multiple tents and vehicles. A Blue Creek visitor shared, "The spot was nice, altho folks before me had left some trash around. Bathrooms were well kept and stocked, view of the lake was gorgeous."
What you should know
Seasonal availability varies: Most lake campgrounds operate April through October, while some remain open year-round. "Spencer Creek Campground is only 20 minutes from our home and we go here as a short getaway. Mid October Oologah Lake is in the path of Pelicans migrating south," reports a regular at Spencer Creek.
Site terrain challenges: Some lakefront sites have significant slopes or bluffs. A Hawthorn Bluff camper warned, "Once arriving at the camp site, I discovered that the sites near the lake were very sloped making it a little difficult to find a flat spot to set up a tent."
Water hookup limitations: Not all sites with electricity have dedicated water connections. "The only downside is that they don't have water hookups at the sites. You can connect your hose to the nearest spigot but you better hope it's long enough," advises a Hawthorn Bluff visitor.
Security considerations: Campground experiences vary based on season and enforcement. A Hawthorn Bluff camper noted, "Since they were not charging for campsites during my stay, the showers were locked and not opened as well as another restroom. There was only one opened restroom on the opposite side of the park."
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming beaches: Some lake campgrounds have designated swimming areas with amenities for children. A visitor to Hawthorn Bluff shared, "The swim beach was well kept and easily accessible with free life jacket loaners."
Check playground availability: Several campgrounds offer play equipment for children. "The grounds were well kept, clean and spacious. They offer fishing docks, boat launches, plenty of bank to fish from as well as small playground equipment in a few places for the kids," reports a Hawthorn Bluff camper.
Be cautious with lakeside sites: Bluffs create safety concerns for young children at some campgrounds. A camper at Tulsa NE-Will Rogers Downs KOA advised, "Lake side spots are not advisable if you have little ones, the bluffs are very close to the fire pits and have about a 30ft drop."
Consider recreational facilities: Some camping areas offer access to nearby recreational centers. At Claremore Expo RV Park, a reviewer mentioned, "Within walking distance there's the expo center (you can go in and pet horses) and a Rec center with a pool."
Tips from RVers
Look for level sites: Many campgrounds have variably sloped spots challenging for RVs. A camper at Blue Creek reported, "Sites were pretty level using gravel. A few were completely shaded but most were barely shaded."
Water access planning: Bring extra-long hoses for campgrounds without site-specific water hookups. A visitor to Hawthorn Bluff explained, "The Campground is very shaded and the spot was large and easy to back in to with our 33' TT. The fishing dock was very spacious and secure for us and the grandkids we love everything about the park, except. The site did not have a dedicated water hook up. We had to buy a 75' hose to put water in our fresh tank."
Verify dump station availability: Some campgrounds have seasonal or limited dump facilities. At Blue Creek, a visitor noted, "There was a dump station, but it was coned off when we were there; we did not need it so I did not ask when/if it would be available."
