Tent campsites surrounding Claremore, Oklahoma provide access to lakeside and riverside camping experiences along the waters of Oologah Lake, Verdigris River, and the Arkansas River. Verdigris River Park offers tent-specific camping with drive-in and walk-in sites situated along the shoreline. Jackson Bay Recreation Area provides free primitive tent camping with spacious areas under shade trees. Most locations are within a 30-minute drive of Claremore, offering tent campers proximity to water recreation opportunities.
Many tent campgrounds in the Claremore region have minimal amenities, requiring campers to be self-sufficient. Jackson Bay Recreation Area provides fire rings and picnic tables but lacks trash facilities, necessitating a pack-in, pack-out approach. Verdigris River Park allows fires and provides firewood and picnic tables, though drinking water is not available. Access roads to most tent sites are typically paved, but some turn to gravel or dirt near the camping areas. Seasonal water levels can affect access at riverside locations, particularly after heavy rains when lower-lying sites may become unusable.
Tent camping areas near Claremore offer good fishing opportunities and water access. Sites at Verdigris River Park are situated close together except for the last site near a wooded area, providing more privacy for tent campers. Areas farther from town offer deeper seclusion and less noise, though amenities decrease correspondingly. Jackson Bay Recreation Area provides more spacious tent sites with some featuring lake views and morning sunrises. A visitor commented that Jackson Bay "has easy, level sites at a nice angle, so you aren't facing right at the back of someone else's trailer." The shoreline camping options give tent campers direct access to fishing, swimming, and kayaking, with many sites positioned within view of the water.
"Took my Uncle with us and headed out to Oologha Lake from Claremore. What a camp area!! Threw a line in and I caught a 12 pound Drum! I was 22 and so proud of that fish!!"
"It’s near a wooded area. The first 2 are out in the open, by the roads, do a cartwheel and you are in the next camping spot... You can put a boat in the river on this side or kayak up and down."
"Only drawback I wish there were trash cans or even just a big dumpster. The water was gorgeous and the site was peaceful."
"Beautiful view over the lake at sunrise!"
"We did see some sites near the water that looked tricky to get into, but you’d be right by the water, so that’s the trade off, I guess. The host was friendly and helpful, dump sites easy to manage."
$17 - $120 / night
"The land is beautiful and firewood is provided for a small fee. The Outdoor show is a nice touch too. Will definitely be back."
TravelerFirst time here, absolutely love it! The roads look like they've recently been blacktopped. Very easy to get to. Lots of shade, but there's sun if you want it. Beautiful lake view from my site. Clean vault toilet. No water available anywhere tho, which lowered my review to 4. No electric or dump station, so come prepared.
Scout14$ for the night no hookups but not that busy. Portable toilet’s stunk, Place shoulda been free
RangerThis State Park is best known for the filming of the movie Where the Red Fern Grows and it's understandable why. The falls and the trails/nature walks are beautiful. Very easy hiking/walking with a nice reward on views of the falls and river/stream.
Now the camping. There is an RV area and a Tent only area. When we arrived (Oct) the RV area was pretty filled up and we prefer less neighbors, plus we were tent camping. So off to the Tent camping area. The sites were nice and level but no real break up/divide between sites. Luckily there was only 2 other Tent campers when we showed up so we chose the opposite side of the area. There were fire rings, grills and cement picnic tables.
There are full facilities and the camp host does a great job keeping them maintained and also checking in on all the campers/RV'rs.
GuidePeaceful area outside of Tulsa metro on the outskirts of Broken Arrow near Coweta. 25min drive into Tulsa. 10min drive to Walmart and fast food. Checkout Smokies BBQ nearby for great food. Sites were pretty level using gravel. A few were completely shaded but most were barely shaded. Shoreline really close to campsites with boatdock and fishable shoreline. Restrooms were clean but very hot. Showers available but did not use. Fire ring, picnic tables and lantern hooks available. Dump station is clean and easily manageable. Grass needed to mowed especially since several snakes were seen. Whole area was pretty clean and peaceful.
RangerWe tent camped here at Tent Hill site C. Had a grassy site which was nice. It was kind of close to D but we had good neighbors. Also, one of the benches at the picnic table was gone. Maybe it was an ADA site. Had a fire ring and lantern pole. Just across the road from the bathroom.
There are some good trails here. But they are in the process of making some changes and the maps are only partially accurate for the time being. We hiked to the old CCC camp and saw some old buildings and stuff.
There is a playground at the bottom of the hill. It’s a bit of a trek back up.
I suggest hiking down to the “waterfalls” on the river and spending some time.
LegendAs a typical Oklahoma State Park, this campground is what you would expect. Built in the 50's and very few upgrades, it remains as a mostly RV/ Boaters park. Many family's go here for the shore line swimming and boating opportunities. The bathrooms are okay but haven't been updated but you don't have to worry about vault toilets. I would suggest bringing soap. Since we tent, it is fairly easy finding a level spot but they do not have platforms or any premade sites to set up. Some sites do have fire rings but most do not but they do have tables. This has always been a good spot for bringing our beginning camping friends to get them introduced to camping before any longer camping trips.
TravelerWe chose the rv site 16 from their website before ever seeing what the campground looked like in person. It is the site toward the back of the rv park overlooking the bluffs.
Our site had plenty of tree cover that kept us from seeing the bluffs; but it also provided for a cool experience looking out of the back windows of our camper, especially at night.
The sites are a bit too close to one another. But our neighbors in site 15 were super cool. We came with only one bundle of firewood and they quickly provided us with more than enough to have a great time, and more than enough for the next morning.
The reason it gets 4 stars is because the sites are too close to one another. What was especially strange is that the fire ring that belongs to site 15 was actually directly behind our pad on site 16. Our fire ring was located between our site and the other neighbor's site (17) next to us. Very strange.
The campsite otherwise was wonderful. Our kids loved the two playgrounds. The weather was great. So we took a quick stroll through the woods and to the small waterfall nearby. Would definitely go again, maybe even to book two or three sites next to one another, being so close. That would be fun for a larger group.
LegendGeneral: Blue Creek is one of four campgrounds operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers on Oologah Lake (the others are Spencer Creek, Red Bud, and Hawthorn Bluff). It is divided into three sections: one with electric hookups (Sites 14-35) and two without (Sites 1-11 and 36-61, with Sites 54-61 that can be used as a group area). On a weekday in early May, the section with electric was full but we had the section with sites 36-61 entirely to ourselves. Sites 1-11 are good for boaters as they are near the boat ramp, however, the sites are not as well delineated (the picnic tables have the site numbers on them and cars park wherever). Since COVID, reservations are required but as with all other CoE campgrounds, the fees are extremely reasonable ($20 for electric,$16 for non-electric and half-price for seniors).
Site Quality/Facilities: It is often impossible to determine the best site when reserving but after arriving, we discovered that Site 55 was not going to work for us. It had a very short sloping half-circle drive and after 10 minutes of maneuvering, it was obvious there was no way we were going to be level. It was also rocky so it would be challenging for tents. This site is the furthest away but near the spot where many fish so it will not be as quiet as you might expect. Fortunately, we were able to switch sites (no one else was there!) and Site 42 was much better and like many others, had a large semi-circular drive. Many sites had a covered concrete pad with a large concrete picnic table, utility table, and lantern hook. 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.
Bathhouse: The sections without electricity have vault toilets, which were clean, but the flush toilets/showers are within a reasonable walking distance. These were very clean. Soap but bring your towel.
Activities/Amenities: 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. There is also a hiking trail. We saw a few people kayaking. Horses are allowed in the group camping section (Sites 54-61).
Perhaps it is because we had an entire section to ourselves, but we had a relaxing and peaceful stay here and would definitely return.
ScoutOnce 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. I talking to one passer-by, who was unfortunately house-less at the time, who explained that Hawthorn Bluff does not charge for camping until April 1st. I paid for my campsite as the website did not state this. I'm not upset by this because I know the fees will help maintain the park. However, this makes for some very interesting campers. The couple next to our site were having a domestic dispute where the lady sped off in her car after cussing her partner out for some time. She returned later with an 18 pack, one in her hand, and thankfully they seemed to have made up. This was hard to explain to my young kids who witnessed the whole exchange. 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 and it had beer cans and other trash in it.
Nice views of the lake, but I think I'll cross this one off my list for next time.
Tent campsites near Claremore, Oklahoma are situated in the rolling hills of northeastern Oklahoma, where elevation ranges from 600 to 700 feet above sea level. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through September, while spring and fall offer milder conditions for camping. Most primitive camping locations require campers to navigate unpaved access roads that can become challenging after rainfall.
Fishing opportunities: Campers at Verdigris River Park can enjoy excellent fishing conditions below the dam. "This side of the dam is for fishing. Spent many many MANY nights going night fishing with my family growing up and it was always so much fun!" shares Jennifer D. The river access provides opportunities for both bank fishing and boat fishing.
Kayaking adventures: The waterways surrounding Claremore offer multiple kayaking routes. "You can put a boat in the river on this side or kayak up and down," notes a reviewer about Verdigris River Park. Paddlers should check water levels before planning trips, especially during spring when levels can fluctuate significantly.
Historical exploration: The camping areas provide convenient access to Route 66 landmarks. "Nice and close to the Blue Whale of Catoosa and old route 66 which is partly how we ended up here," mentions Andrew G. about his stay at Jackson Bay Recreation Area. Most historical attractions are within a 25-minute drive from major camping areas.
Sunrise views: Lakeside camping spots at Jackson Bay Recreation Area offer remarkable morning experiences. "Beautiful view over the lake at sunrise!" reports Katharina D. The eastern shoreline positions provide the best vantage points for early risers.
Swimming options: Some camping areas feature swimming access points. At Huge Great Bus Camping, visitors appreciate the "swimming hole and woods" as mentioned by Ken R. When water levels are appropriate, natural swimming areas provide relief during hot summer months.
Budget-friendly options: Free camping alternatives exist in the region. "Amazing free campground, you can stay here for 14 days. No amenities, but it's well taken care of. Some spots have grills and picnic tables," writes Katharina D. about Jackson Bay Recreation Area. This location allows for extended stays without camping fees, though campers must pack out all trash.
Limited amenities: Most tent camping locations require complete self-sufficiency. "Plenty of space for tents everywhere, just little to no amenities," notes Andrew G. about Jackson Bay Recreation Area. Campers should bring all necessary supplies including drinking water, as most sites do not provide potable water sources.
Access challenges: Some camping areas have difficult approach roads. Jennifer D. warns about Newt Graham Lock and Dam: "Getting to it is sketchy, the road turns to dirt and there are areas that people unfortunately dump trash... Just make sure to not get stuck! There's washed out areas but cars can make it." High-clearance vehicles are recommended for accessing remote sites.
Seasonal limitations: Winter camping presents unique challenges in the area. "There is currently no running water due to colder temperatures. But once it warms water is on site," explains jaleesia C. about camping at Three Ponds Community. Facilities at many campgrounds reduce services during winter months, typically November through March.
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