Best Tent Camping near Oologah Lake

Tent camping near Oologah Lake, Oklahoma provides several established options for outdoor enthusiasts seeking lakeside experiences. Verdigris River Park offers a small tent-only campground that serves as an excellent base for exploring the lake's natural beauty. Redbud Bay and Winganon Ramp also accommodate tent campers looking to enjoy the 29,460-acre reservoir created by Oologah Dam on the Verdigris River, approximately 30 miles northeast of Tulsa.

Most tent campsites around Oologah Lake feature basic amenities suited for primitive camping experiences. Verdigris River Park provides fire rings, picnic tables, and trash disposal, with both drive-in and walk-in tent sites available. The campground layout at Verdigris places sites relatively close together, with the exception of the last site which offers more privacy near a wooded area. Campers should note that many sites lack potable water and shower facilities, so bringing adequate water supplies is essential. The area is accessible year-round, though summer temperatures can be quite hot, making spring and fall ideal for tent camping visits.

The tent camping experience at Oologah Lake is characterized by excellent fishing opportunities and scenic hiking trails. Campers noted the area is "perfect if you are tent camping and need a quick place to stop and rest for a day or two," with particular mention of the "beautiful hiking trails" surrounding the lake. The night sky viewing can be exceptional, with one visitor describing sleeping "out on the ground under the stars" at Verdigris River Park. For those seeking backcountry tent camping experiences, the shoreline areas provide opportunities for more secluded sites, though these require additional preparation as they lack developed facilities. Fishing is particularly popular, with the dam area known for good catches, including drum fish. Wildlife sightings are common throughout the region, adding to the primitive tent camping experience.

Best Tent Sites Near Oologah Lake (13)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Oologah Lake

2 Photos of 13 Oologah Lake Campgrounds


Tent Camping Reviews near Oologah Lake

268 Reviews of 13 Oologah Lake Campgrounds


  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2022

    Blue Creek

    Enjoy many activities!

    General: 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.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    Gopher Valley - Twin Bridges — Grand Lake State Park

    Pleasant RV/Tent campground

    Gopher Valley campground in on of several campground in the Twin Bridges area of Grand Lake State Park.  This campground is fully paved with both full hook up RV camping area, tent camping area and areas that work for both.  Campground have drive through and pull in sites.  Sites all have picnic tables and metal fire rings.  Campground has a large pavilion which can be rented.  The pavilion has a huge BBQ grill.  Campground has a small playground for the kids.  Small restroom with showers is available.  With the exception of the RV pull through sites all the other sites have plenty of grass to set up a tent.  Sites can be reserved.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 22, 2021

    Eagle Bluff - Twin Bridges — Grand Lake State Park

    Tent camping with covered picnic tables

    Eagle Bluff campground has both RV and tent camping spots.  Drive in sites have electrical, picnic tables, metal fire rings, BBQ grills and paved parking pads.  The nice part of this campground is the undeveloped camping area for those tent campers, the sites while close together have Shelters over most of the sites picnic tables as well as BBQ grills.  Sites with electricity have plenty of room for setting up tents.  Campground has a new playground for the kids.  Rest room has showers as well.  Horseshoe pits and a basketball hoop are also available.  Sites can be reserved.  A Pavilion is available.

  • Analia F.
    Oct. 31, 2018

    Bluestem Lake

    Blast!

    This campground was super cool because it was a little "out dated" but it made it cozy! So many beautiful trees and walking paths that it made the stay great. We would get up in the morning and do a short hike that was nearby, and then finish it off with one of the walking paths around the campground, then had breakfast. It was a great way to start the day. They offer RV sites as well as small cabins you can rent. My family and I took our RV, and had a blast. The sites were big enough for the RV and had a picnic table and fire ring within the site. We didn't feel like we were right on top of our neighbors either which was nice. There is a lake within walking distance, so we would head down there during the day. Dogs are allowed, but need to be on leashes. We brought our dog and he had a blast in the lake. They have a volleyball court set up as well as horse shoes which was fun! You can also rent stand up paddle boards from the front desk to take down to the lake. They also have a club house that has a pool table, although we didn't partake in this. There is an area where you can do laundry too, which we thought was pretty cool. This is definitely considered "glamping" to us :) There is also a boat launch if you need that too. We caught some really awesome weather while we stayed here which made the trip amazing! We will definitely be back.

  • Karen T.
    Oct. 22, 2022

    Bull Creek Peninsula

    Quiet, lots of shade, easy to get to, great roads

    First 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.

  • Craig E.
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Bluff Landing

    Quiet, fishable, secluded

    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. 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.

  • Richard
    May. 1, 2021

    Osage Hills State Park Campground

    Osage Hill

    We 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.

  • B
    Mar. 17, 2025

    Hawthorn Bluff

    Had to adapt

    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. 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.

  • Dexter I.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 29, 2021

    Angler's Paradise - Twin Bridges — Grand Lake State Park

    Camp between two rivers

    Angler's Paradise campground is a 20 site campground in the Twin Bridges area of Grand Lake State Park.  The campground sits between the Neosho and Spring rivers.

    17 of the sites are RV sites with hook ups, the last three are primitive tent sites.  All sites have Picnic tables and BBQ Grills.  Some sites have hooks for lanterns.  Restrooms are on site as well as water and trash service.  Most of the RV sites are right up against each other with little room between.  It appears that this will be a busy site due to the very large boat launch at the campground.  The campground is also just off of U.S. Highway 60 so expect some road noise.  The campground does have a shelter as well that can be rented for $51.


Guide to Oologah Lake

Oologah Lake in Oklahoma offers a fantastic backdrop for tent camping, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking for adventure and relaxation.

Tips for tent camping near Oologah Lake

  • At Verdigris River, enjoy the proximity to fishing spots and the option to kayak along the river, making it a great choice for water lovers.
  • If you're seeking a peaceful retreat, Caney Bend offers a serene environment with opportunities for wildlife watching and a boat ramp for those with watercraft.
  • For a unique experience, consider Huge Great Bus Camping, where you can enjoy a primitive setting with the potential for swimming and exploring the surrounding woods.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $30

  • Camping at Redbud Bay is budget-friendly, offering a rustic experience without the frills, perfect for those looking to connect with nature.
  • Winganon Ramp - Oologah Lake provides a no-cost option for tent campers, ideal for a spontaneous getaway.
  • For a more structured experience, Clermont - Oologah Lake offers a simple camping setup, making it easy to enjoy a night under the stars without breaking the bank.

Tent campers should check out the amenities

  • Wa-Sha-She West features a tranquil setting with no electric hookups, perfect for those who want to unplug and enjoy nature.
  • At Copan Point, you can find electric hookups for added convenience while still enjoying a tent camping experience.
  • Pryor Creek Concession offers a basic camping experience, allowing you to focus on the natural beauty surrounding you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Oologah Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Oologah Lake is Verdigris River with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Oologah Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 13 tent camping locations near Oologah Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.