Best Tent Camping near Claremore, OK
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.
