Tenkiller Ferry Lake in eastern Oklahoma offers a mix of Corps of Engineers and state park campgrounds providing shoreline camping in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains. Established campgrounds like Snake Creek, Chicken Creek, and Cookson Bend feature electric hookups with water access, while Tenkiller State Park areas such as Hickory Flats and Fox Squirrel accommodate tent camping, RV sites, and cabin rentals. The majority of campgrounds provide both tent and RV camping options, with several locations offering cabins or glamping accommodations set among oak-hickory forests and limestone bluffs.
Most campgrounds operate year-round with peak season running April through September, when reservations are recommended. "Located in the foothills of the Ozarks in eastern Oklahoma on crystal clear Tenkiller Lake, a COE project from the mid 1950's on the Illinois River," noted one camper about Snake Creek Campground. Many campgrounds have gated entrances that close during designated quiet hours (typically 10pm-6am), requiring campers to plan arrivals accordingly. Water and electric hookups are standard at developed sites, though full hookup options with sewer connections are limited. Cell service varies significantly, with some areas reporting excellent Verizon coverage while others mention virtually no reception. Weather conditions remain pleasant through much of the camping season, though summer heat and occasional severe storms can impact camping plans.
The lake's clear waters represent a primary draw for campers, with multiple boat ramps, swimming areas, and fishing opportunities available throughout the region. One visitor mentioned that "the water is deep, clear and cool" with opportunities for diving from cliffs and swimming from rock ledges. Wildlife sightings, particularly deer in evening hours, enhance the camping experience at locations like Snake Creek. Campground maintenance quality varies, with some reviews noting excellent facilities while others mention bathrooms and showers needing attention. Fire ant issues have been reported at some lakeside campgrounds, potentially impacting outdoor activities. Most campgrounds provide amenities such as restrooms, showers, dump stations, and trash collection, with varying levels of maintenance. The 12,500-acre lake, known as "Oklahoma's clear water paradise," attracts scuba divers, boaters, and anglers throughout the season.
"Greenleaf State Park is a gem in eastern Oklahoma. This state park offers fishing, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and a splash pad to cool off at!"
"One really great thing about the summer is that a pair of Osprey have begun nesting across highway 10! So neat to see the pair nesting in Oklahoma. The hiking trails need some maintenance."
"Its right on the side of the road, next to Grand Lake. Being on the lake, it made sense that most of the campers were there to play on the water. The campground is really three campgrounds."
"Good access to Lake Tenkiller and most of the sites here have some sort of Lake view. A little highway noise can be heard from the Chickasaw loop, but it is not too bad."
$10 - $50 / night
"Located in the foothills of the Ozarks in eastern Oklahoma on crystal clear Tenkiller Lake, a COE project from the mid 1950’s on the Illinois River. We stayed on site 18 which is gravel W/E (50A)."
"There was some sort of dumpster situation with new rollaways beside old dumpsters. Old dumpsters looked like were attempted to be taped up but they were used and overfilled with trash."
$10 - $50 / night
"I stayed in spot 13 near the boat ramp. Still very quiet! Only noise came from an elderly mans lil yippie dog 😡 which never shut up and shit wherever it felt!"
"On peninsula over looking lake and marina. No water, but electric here. Quiet, out of the way from others. Park has multiple swimming opportunities. We did not try bathhouse."
$10 - $50 / night
"Store outside gate. Gates going in locked at 10:00 p.m. and open at 6:00 a.m."
"We had a great spot located 200 yards from the lake. Also had the boat dock just on the other side of us. Great place to stay, friendly staff!"
"This place has everything, movie theater, horse riding, a train that goes around the park, golf carts, tons of activities for the entire family... Swiming pool and all..."
$23 - $50 / night
"Staryhorn Park is a gym on Lake Tenkiller. The park is clean and well maintained, with great views of the surrounding hills and sparkling lake waters."
"This park has a swimming hole, playground, canoeing, boat ramps, 2 bath houses, gorgeous lake views, plenty tent, and RV lots. $18-$20 per night, depending on your site for tents. $20-50 for RV depending"
$16 - $50 / night
"The tent sites are close to the bathrooms, and the pads are flat and framed with either wood or steel rails."
"There is a swimming area and plenty of space to bring your boat ashore close to your campsite. They offer a few tent sites, but mostly RV sites."
"This was our first camping trip in Oklahoma and we stayed in the shady grove rv campground. There are a few sections for Rvs and I think this is one of the nicer ones."
"We had tree line behind us and shade for some parts of the day. We don’t have a boat but we have kayaks and we went and put in on the north side of the lake and went out to goat island."
"tables Trash Picnic shelter Camphost Dump station New comfort station Electric Water Primitive sites are available Rates from$7.00 to$15.00 Webbers Falls is a very small community in Muskogee County Oklahoma"
"This small city park in a small Oklahoma town was a pleasant surprise. Had water and electric if desired or dry camping. Near the Arkansas river. Locals that drive thru the park were very friendly."
RangerVery nice park - clean and quiet. We did the kayak tour this morning which was nice. There’s also a kayak rental Kiosk down by the boat ramp through Whenever Watersports (download the app). There’s trails and also a pool. Pool closed down Aug 9, 2026 since lifeguards had to go back to school. Not having a pool was the only bummer this trip cause temps are still close to 100.
GuideWe stopped at Taylor’s Ferry for one night on a road trip and pretty much had the whole campground to ourselves! We stayed in spot 51 (pull through) right on the water and shaded! Campground is very clean and hosts are helpful. My son fished in the lake right outside our spot and we had deer walking by!
GuideDuring the past five years, we've stayed at this park at least six times. It's a good overnight stopping point as we head back to Texas, with easy access from the highway and a nice dog park. If you travel with pets, then you know why that's important.
All the park staff we have ever dealt with were very friendly and helpful. The road from the highway to the park is easy to navigate for any size rig. The same inside the park; it's well-marked and easy to navigate. Even though it's close to the highway, you really won't hear much traffic noise, especially if you're at the rear of the park away from the roadway.
We were assigned to pull-through site number E1 with a concrete pad that is level from side to side. Power, Water, and Sewer were all conveniently located, and the power supply had no issues at all. We use a power management system, and all electrical parameters were spot on during our stay. Water pressure was very good, and the in-ground sewer connection was conveniently located.
NOTE: We always request space E1 because it is level, has a nice-sized shade tree that blocks the afternoon sun, and is close to the bathrooms, showers, pool, and laundry room. I've included several aerial photos of the park, and you will see that it is pretty full. Probably 90% of those staying here are full-time or seasonal. Row E is usually left open for travelers, so you might want to request a site on that row, as they are pretty much level. Even though the park has mostly full-time residents, it is nice, quiet, and well maintained. If it wasn't, we wouldn't continually stay here.
The bathrooms, showers, laundry room, and pool area are all located in one location at the front of Row E and are clean and well maintained with secure door and gate codes. Wi-Fi, Satellite, Cable, and OTA: We were able to get AT&T 5G with 3 bars. AT&T achieved 567 Mbps down and 6.43 Mbps up. Satellite reception should not be an issue at most sites, and if you do need totally clear access for satellite reception, there are sites available with no trees. We were able to get 30 OTA stations available, and they all had great reception with clear HD pictures. Cable and Wi-Fi were not available.
Dog Park: They have a very nice fenced-in park that is always in great condition. The park is divided for big and small dogs, and the large-dog area is very large with lots of tree coverage. They also provide doggie bags and a trash can.
Amenities: Lots of items are listed on their website, and you are only a few miles from town, where you can find plenty of stores and restaurants. Also, this is a Good Sam Park, so if you're a member, you'll get a discount if you let them know. Summary: A great place for an overnight stay, and I would not hesitate to recommend it- enjoy your stay!
ScoutA beautiful place to relax, but very sketchy, wouldn't stay after dark. I've taken many pics down here, the scenery is beautiful.
RangerQuiet camping, restrooms are clean and have showers.
Site 10 was a nice site with 50 amp.
There was some sort of dumpster situation with new rollaways beside old dumpsters. Old dumpsters looked like were attempted to be taped up but they were used and overfilled with trash. So full that trash was flying around the park at times. Not sure what the situation was.
RangerNew park with young trees (so not much shade yet), pond for fishing and a walking trail around it. Large clubhouse is where the bathhouses are with four individual bathrooms with showers, laundry facility, propane for sale and a nice pool.
RangerClean state park. We enjoyed the trails, kayak rental at the marina. Other amenities include nice bathhouses and a pool.
GuideWe last stayed here five years ago when the park was new. Some of the areas and amenities that are now available were still under construction during our last trip. The bottom line… still a very nice park, but it's starting to show its age a little.
Parking for registration is located right next to the office. All the park staff we dealt with were very friendly and helpful. The road from the highway to the park is easy to navigate for any size rig. The same inside the park; it's well-marked and easy to navigate, though several roads have asphalt failures that need attention. Even though it's not too far from Interstate 49, we didn't hear any traffic noise at all- very peaceful.
We were assigned to pull-thru site number 36. Most of the sites are gravel, but the pull-thru row that we were in had concrete pads. For the most part, all sites appear fairly level.
Power, Water, and Sewer were all conveniently located, and the power supply had no issues at all. We use a power management system, and all electrical parameters were spot on during our stay. Water pressure was very good, and the in-ground sewer connection was conveniently located.
Two bathroom areas also have showers and laundry facilities- one at the front of the park and one in the rear. The pool area and playground are located at the front of the park.
Wi-Fi, Satellite, Cable, and OTA: there is Wi-Fi in the park, but the park info sheet that they provide you with notes that the Wi-Fi is spotty. We were able to get AT&T 5G with 4 bars. AT&T achieved 418 Mbps down and 21 Mbps up. Satellite reception should not be an issue at most sites, and if you do need clear access for satellite reception, there are plenty of sites available with no trees. There are plenty of OTA stations available, and they all had great reception with clear HD pictures. Cable was not available.
Dog Park: They have two nice fenced-in parks that are in great condition. The one in the front of the park is divided for big and small dogs, while the one in the back is larger but not divided. They both have benches, which are all in good shape. They also provide doggie bags and a trash can. NOTE: I've included a photo of the sign posted at the entrances to the park indicating that they might be shut down. So if having a fenced dog park is mission-critical for your stay, you might want to verify that they are still open when you make your reservation
Amenities: Lots of items are listed on their website, and you are only a few miles from Fayetteville, where you can find plenty of stores and restaurants. Summary: A great place for an overnight or an extended stay. Although the park is starting to show its age, it still deserves a high rating, and I would not hesitate to recommend it- enjoy your stay!
GuideThe campground is quite nice overall, but the bathrooms and showers need to be updated, as they are somewhat outdated. The tent sites are close to the bathrooms, and the pads are flat and framed with either wood or steel rails. They offer electricity but no water at the pad, although water is available at a central location. The travel trailer sites offer water and electricity, and you can park your boat on the shoreline.
Tenkiller Ferry Lake campsites sit within the foothills of the Ozark Mountains at an elevation ranging from approximately 632 to 667 feet, depending on the campground. The lake itself covers 12,500 acres with 130 miles of shoreline that includes limestone bluffs, forested hills, and multiple rocky outcroppings. Terrain at most campgrounds features a mix of open fields and wooded areas with oak-hickory forests providing varied shade options depending on site selection.
Disc golf in the state park: Cherokee Landing State Park campground has a course with tire baskets on site. "Has a disc golf course with tire baskets and they rent discs at the camp office. Mixture of out toilets and flush toilets on site," explains James K.
Rock climbing and bouldering: Large rock formations throughout the camping areas provide natural climbing opportunities. At Bluff View — Tenkiller State Park, "The boys had so much fun climbing the giant rocks. We were lucky to have the place to ourselves in November, sites were a little close together if it had been busier," shares Mara Y.
Hiking the trails: Multiple campgrounds offer trail systems with varying difficulty levels. At Greenleaf State Park Campground, "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. Never experienced a large crowd here..which is preferable for me," notes Cody L.
Wildlife viewing: Animal watching opportunities exist throughout the lake area. "Animals! Turtles, deer that like to be petted, frogs croaking at night, owls talking, beavers splashing in the lake and turkeys eating snakes!" describes Julie O. about her stay at Greenleaf State Park.
Clear diving waters: Tenkiller Ferry Lake camping areas provide access to exceptionally clear water conditions for underwater exploration. "The underwater terrain ranges from gently sloping hills to rocky cliffs. The water ranges in depth up to 165 feet," according to a review of Chicken Creek.
Rock ledge swimming: Natural rock formations create unique swimming opportunities. "Across from the pavilion in the tent area are trails through the woods that lead to the Cliff's and rock ledges. The water is deep, clear and cool. We like to dive from the Cliff's and swim from the rock ledges," explains Melanie W. from Snake Creek.
Secluded coves: Many camping areas offer more private water access points away from main boat traffic. At Strayhorn Landing - Tenkiller Ferry Lake, "The park is clean and well maintained, with great views of the surrounding hills and sparkling lake waters," shares Adam W.
Fall colors viewing: The deciduous forest surrounding the lake provides seasonal color displays. "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," writes Jo L. about Greenleaf State Park.
Fire ant issues: Some shoreline camping areas have reported ant problems that can impact outdoor activities. At Snake Creek, one camper noted: "The fire ants are a severe problem. The ants prevent us from playing in our campground area and the kids have to play in the street or gravel. If you stand in one place too long, you get bit - regardless of trying to avoid them."
Gate closure times: Entrance gates at several campgrounds close during designated quiet hours. "Gates going in locked at 10:00 p.m. and open at 6:00 a.m.," notes Mark J. about Chicken Creek. Plan arrivals accordingly to avoid being locked out of your camping area.
Limited 50-amp availability: For RVers requiring higher power, sites with 50-amp service are limited and often fill quickly. "Only seven 50 amp spots and no sewer sites but the campground is great," explains Mark J. about Chicken Creek, while Todd R. confirms, "Would have given 5 stars, but they are limited on sites with 50amps."
Variable campground spacing: Site proximity varies significantly across camping areas. At Petit Bay - Tenkiller Ferry Lake, "Most sites are spaced well, with some a little closer. The only downside to this trip was the noise from the construction going on at the marina," according to Donna H.
Splash pads and pools: Several camping areas offer water features specifically for children. "The absolute best part of this park is the splash pad. It was the best splash pad we've been too. They had a cool slide and we had a blast," notes Richard about Greenleaf State Park.
Playgrounds and recreation: Multiple camping areas include designated play equipment. At Marval Camping Resort, "This place has everything, movie theater, horse riding, a train that goes around the park, golf carts, tons of activities for the entire family... Swiming pool and all... We go every chance we get, my kids love it," shares Candy U.
Proximity considerations: For families with small children, camp location relative to amenities matters. "If you have small kids it might be more convenient to stay at one of the campgrounds closer to the pool and park," advises Elise H. about Tenkiller State Park.
Off-peak advantages: School season camping offers quieter experiences with more space. "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," recommends ShaneB about Greenleaf State Park.
Water hookup planning: Some campsites have unusual water connection arrangements. "The only disadvantage to this park is some sites share water. In our site we needed 50 ft of water hose and I would suggest bringing a 'y' water connector," advises Kassi S. about Greenleaf State Park.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly by campground location. At Snake Creek, one camper reported "Practically zero Verizon reception which meant no internet or phone," while at the same campground, another visitor measured "Verizon Wireless Cell connection is really good. 42ms Ping, 670mb/s Down, 22.3mb/s Up."
Bathroom conditions: Facility quality differs dramatically between camping areas. "Bathroom/shower facilities were available for use. They were fine for what we needed but were definitely on the rustic side," notes Kelsey L. about Bluff View, while at another location, a visitor mentioned "The only complaint is the restrooms are quite dirty, and the shower doesn't have cold water."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Tenkiller Ferry Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, Tenkiller Ferry Lake offers a wide range of camping options, with 183 campgrounds and RV parks near Tenkiller Ferry Lake and 4 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Tenkiller Ferry Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Tenkiller Ferry Lake is Greenleaf State Park Campground with a 4.3-star rating from 28 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Tenkiller Ferry Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 4 free dispersed camping spots near Tenkiller Ferry Lake.
What parks are near Tenkiller Ferry Lake?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 33 parks near Tenkiller Ferry Lake that allow camping, notably Fort Gibson Lake and Pine Creek Lake.
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