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Best Tent Camping near Oklahoma City, OK

350 Reviews

Lakes and reservoirs surrounding Oklahoma City provide several tent camping options within a short drive of the urban center. Liberty Lake in Guthrie offers walk-in tent sites with lake views, while Romulus Lake features primitive tent camping in a more secluded setting. The Lazy H Alpaca Ranch provides a unique tent camping experience on private land, and Lake Thunderbird State Park's North Sentinel area offers designated tent campsites with basic amenities.

Most tent campgrounds near Oklahoma City feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal site preparation. Liberty Lake's seven campsites include fire rings, picnic tables, and ample space for tent setup, though restroom facilities are limited to portable toilets that may be affected by weather conditions. Shawnee Twin Lakes provides concrete picnic tables and fire pits with attached grills at each site, allowing for two tents per campsite. Weather can change rapidly in this region, so tent campers should check forecasts before traveling and be prepared for strong winds, particularly in areas with significant tree cover.

Tent-only sites at Liberty Lake provide clear views of the water, with campers reporting "super quiet and calm" conditions even for overnight stays. The sites are described as "minimal but with lots of space" and positioned right on the lake for excellent sunset viewing. At Lazy H Alpaca Ranch, visitors noted the unique experience of tent camping near alpacas with Great Pyrenees dogs occasionally keeping campers company. Romulus Lake receives positive reviews for canoeing and kayaking opportunities directly from tent sites. According to campers, Liberty Lake feels increasingly remote as the access road turns to packed rock and dirt, creating a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience despite being relatively close to Oklahoma City.

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Best Tent Sites Near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (7)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Oklahoma City, OK

350 Reviews of 7 Oklahoma City Campgrounds

  • Darah F.
    May. 9, 2021

    Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Something from a horror movie

    Avid tent camper here, camped from California to South Carolina. Wanted to spend the weekend close to home. And honestly just embarrassed to be from Oklahoma City with the way Thunderbird was. Stayed at Little Sandy 17. First every campsite we reserved had people on them so we had to kick people off multiple sites so we could set up. The bathrooms were a disgrace. Even after being “cleaned”. Will never go back to this place.

  • Lorraine
    Apr. 28, 2021

    Red Rock Canyon Adventure Park

    Nice & not crowded!

    Enjoying it, end April, cool weather. Sites spacious & trees nearby. Only a few RVs ‘n me. No tents. My neighbors from Oklahoma City saw it’s booked for weekend. Locals love it. Nice easy short hikes. Bathrooms a bit outdated but work. One has a super old hand drier (works!) from , my guess by looks, 50+ years!

  • Shannon G.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 13, 2022

    Mustang Run RV Park

    Great for an overnight stay

    Mustang run isn’t to far from Oklahoma City off I-40 and is locally owned. Also close to State fair. It is at the end of a lane next to a hotel. You can hear lots of traffic from the interstate. It has 2 dog runs,storm shelters,pool,playground, laundry, and nice clubhouse. So everything you might need. There are pull through sites and back in. The sites are concrete so level. They are full hook ups with cable and wi-fi. There are no tent sites here. The nightly rate is $49 but they do except Good Sam discount. They also have weekly and monthly rates.

  • P
    Jun. 30, 2016

    Arcadia Lake

    Great proximity to Oklahoma City

    This campground offers lots of sites with water views. There is a swimming beach and boat ramp as well as a dock to fish off. Very easy to get to from Oklahoma City.

  • Bill P.
    Aug. 28, 2021

    Abe's RV Park

    Close to the freeway and easy to get to

    It is very easy to get to the campground and easy to access Oklahoma City. There were no picnic tables or fire rings available. There was no shade and the park roads are in poor shape. Many full time campers are permanently parked.

  • William A.
    Dec. 16, 2019

    Lake Stanley Draper

    Primitive but cheap

    the Campground at Lake Stanley Draper is Primitive.  There are no Electric or water at the campground and no dump stations.  They have started to clean the campground up by removing old brush and adding new tent pads, The only restrooms are 2 Porta-Potties at the campground so be prepared for no showers or running water.  Also there are no campfire rings provided and if you want a fire you must bring your own and it must be atleast 4 inches off the ground.  If you visit you must get a permit from the Marina office and call ahead to make sure they are open.  Because this is not on the water of the lake, you will need to drive to fish or boat.  there is alot of road noise so if you are looking for a quite place this may no fit your needs.

  • J
    Jun. 7, 2024

    El Reno West KOA

    Easy access- ridiculously close to neighbors

    We were in Site# 66. We had Full hook- up with a paved pull-through.
    We travel towing a 14 foot trailer and were able to fit both in our pull through site along with my jeep.

    The site was easy to level. Our site was not shaded with limited trees. In eight years of RV-ing, we’ve never had such little space between us and our neighbors. We literally walk out our door into their sewer. (See pictures) My husband can touch both RVs with his arms outstretched.

    The lot did not come with a concrete patio, picnic table, or a fire ring. Some lots had a picnic table. We did not request one since we’d be eating at our neighbor’s sewer.

    It is an easy access to the campground from highway -(right off the highway).

    There is free WiFi. They offer Cable TV and there are many local channels).

    They do not sell wood here.

    They do not provide garbage service at your site but there are many barrel drum trash cans that can be accessed.

    You are allowed to ride personal golf carts. They do not provide golf cart rentals. There is really not a need to have a Golf cart because it is a smaller campground.

    They do have a Swimming pool (not heated & freezing). They have a fishing Lake on property (it is hidden behind some cabins so you could stay here & never know the lake is here). There are two Buffalo that are owned by the owners of the restaurant and trading post above the KOA (who also own the KOA).

    There is a Playground and jumping pad for kids. They have a basic general store.

    There is not a snack bar/restaurant on site but there is a restaurant at the top of the hill.

    The streets are paved and good for riding bikes. There is not really anywhere to ride bikes outside of campground.

    This is a RV park but also have many cabins for rent and tent areas.

    They have 2 shower houses. The shower house has the typical stalls. These are kept very clean.

    There is a laundry facility. It is a cash only facility. You’ll need to get change in the main office while they are open (no change machine). There are approximately 6 washers and 6 dryers. It is approximately $2 to wash and $2 to dry a load.

    They have a fenced in dog park.

    Bugs were an issue and bug spray was definitely needed.

    There were no trails to hike in the campground.

    We’ve noticed that the casinos nearby mainly offer slot machines only (very few have live tables (craps, roulette, blackjack,etc.).

  • M
    May. 18, 2025

    Critter Alley — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Good spot!

    Good little areas. A good amount of space. Not enough if you’re wanting privacy as other camp set ups are close. Some tent sites are handicapped accessible. However some are a steep walk to get down to. Not all, but some have a rocky steep path. Every tent area has a fire pit or some kind and a picnic table which is neat.

  • Stephen & Theresa B.
    Jun. 21, 2021

    Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Great State Park in Oklahoma

    We had a great stay in Lake Thunderbird State Park near Norman Oklahoma. The park has 11 campground areas situated around the 6000 acre centerpiece lake with many tent, RV sites and some of those have full hook up; our choice was the Little Ax campground on the southern end just off Oklahoma 9. In addition to water activities the park offers hunting, horse rental and boarding, equestrian trails, hiking, mountain biking, nature trails, a nature center, and an archery range. Our lakefront site#37 was nice and shaded with a gentle lake breeze offering a concrete pad, water, 30/15 amp electric, concrete table, lantern holder, fire ring and grill at site. The campground has an entry station, camp host, picnic shelters, playground, bathhouse and laundry, beach area, common fire pit, Verizon 4 bars, dump station, trash receptacles, interior roads are paved, with many sites waterfront. RV sites are close quarters. Tent sites are amazing...pads, concrete table, fire ring, grill, water spigot dispersed, waterfront sites. The town of Norman has all the amenities: shopping, dining, groceries, fuel and yes, Walmart. The area is home to local wineries and breweries and also the hometown to actor James Garner. WARNING: Oklahoma State Parks charge a daily parking fee per vehicle of$10 in addition to the camping fee and they enforce it...just saying from experience...read the information carefully! 13101 Alameda Dr, Norman, OK 73026 GPS- 35.234940,-97.219224 for the Little Ax Campground.

Guide to Oklahoma City

Tent camping options around Oklahoma City offer diverse experiences across lakes, reservoirs, and unique private properties. Sites typically range 30-45 minutes from downtown, with seasonal availability impacted by Oklahoma's variable weather patterns. Most locations operate year-round but have limited amenities during winter months.

What to do

Fishing from shoreline sites: Liberty Lake provides direct lake access from campsites for anglers. "Great place to take the kids, grandkids to Fish and have fun behind the boat on toys," notes james S., highlighting the family-friendly fishing opportunities.

Canoe and kayak excursions: Paddle directly from your campsite at Romulus Lake, where the protected waters create ideal conditions for small watercraft. Tristan F. confirms, "Great camping, lake is great for canoeing or kayaking."

Wildlife interaction: Camp among alpacas at Lazy H Alpaca Ranch, offering a tent camping experience alongside farm animals. "We got to pet the Alpacas and the 3 Great Pyrenees kept us company," shares Patty S., describing the unique animal interactions available.

What campers like

Concrete amenities: Shawnee Twin Lakes provides durable site features that withstand Oklahoma weather. "Nice, spacious, clean campsites all with fire pits with attached grill! The price per site/night allows for two tents on one site! Concrete picnic tables at every site make it nice for large groups," explains Lisa P.

Lake views and sunsets: The positioning of sites at Liberty Lake maximizes water views. "The campsites were minimal but had lots of space and were right on the lake. We had a beautiful sunset too," reports Hillary B., highlighting the scenic advantages.

Unique overnight accommodations: OK Treehouse offers alternative camping with elevated sleeping quarters. "Cool Treehouse with double bed. Outdoor Shower and camping toilet, kitchen. Groovy outdoor space with fire pit," describes Jes P.

What you should know

Weather preparation: Oklahoma's unpredictable weather patterns affect camping conditions, particularly at exposed lakeside sites. During winter camping at Lazy H Alpaca Ranch, Patty S. noted, "We camped early Jan and it was cold," emphasizing the need for seasonal preparation.

Site limitations: Many tent camping areas have minimal infrastructure. At Shawnee Twin Lakes, Julie H. observed, "We did fine tent camping but nothing for electric hook ups," while Jessica W. found Liberty Lake sites "entirely too close to each other. The parking lot is bigger than the grass areas you have to work with."

Facility closures: Check current status before traveling. Nancy B. discovered at Shawnee Twin Lakes that "The designated campground is now closed to camping. We ended up staying at the boat ramp," demonstrating how management changes can affect planned stays.

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: Bring recreation equipment to complement existing facilities. James D. noted at Shawnee Twin Lakes, "There is a playground and picnic pavilion which would be good for families," providing activities beyond water recreation.

Swimming areas: Meeker Lake offers swimming but with variable water conditions. Matt N. reported, "Choppy and dirty," suggesting families check water quality reports before planning swimming activities.

Clear camping definitions: Ensure your camping setup meets site requirements. At North Sentinel, That_Other_Grace experienced issues: "Don't bring your rooftop tents here. They will call the cops on you in the middle of the night and make you leave," indicating strict enforcement of tent-only policies.

Tips from RVers

Boat ramp proximity: Position RVs near boat launch areas for easier water access. At Shawnee Twin Lakes, Julie H. found, "It was perfect for our boat," noting the convenient boat ramp facilities near camping areas.

Limited hookups: Most tent camping areas near Oklahoma City lack RV services. James D. observed at Shawnee Twin Lakes that sites were "Nothing special but nothing wrong with it," reflecting the basic nature of sites that accommodate both tents and small RVs without dedicated RV amenities.

Parking space considerations: Liberty Lake offers larger parking areas suitable for vehicles with small trailers. Crystal C. noted, "Each site had large parking areas," which accommodates those bringing boats or small camping trailers alongside tent setups.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best season for tent camping in the Oklahoma City area?

Spring and fall offer the most comfortable tent camping weather in the Oklahoma City area. Late March through early June provides pleasant temperatures before summer heat sets in, while September through October delivers cooler nights and warm days. Summer camping at Shawnee Twin Lakes can be enjoyable with its swimming areas and boating opportunities, though prepare for potential heat. Romulus Lake is particularly nice for spring and fall visits when temperatures are moderate for canoeing and kayaking. Winter camping is possible but prepare for cold nights and potential weather changes. Check campground seasonal closures before planning your trip.

Where are the best tent camping spots near Oklahoma City?

For tent camping near Oklahoma City, Liberty Lake offers quiet, spacious sites right on the water with beautiful sunset views. The area provides a remote feel with packed rock and dirt roads leading to peaceful campsites. Another excellent option is OK Treehouse, a unique private camping experience with artistic touches and a groovy outdoor space featuring a fire pit. This special spot offers communion with nature while still being accessible from Oklahoma City. Both locations provide the perfect escape from urban life while remaining within easy driving distance of the city.

Are there any free tent camping areas around Oklahoma City?

Finding free tent camping near Oklahoma City requires some research. While most established campgrounds charge fees, North Sentinel — Lake Thunderbird State Park offers affordable options, though reviews indicate varying experiences with facilities. Some free dispersed camping might be available on public lands, but always verify rules before setting up. Meeker Lake may offer lower-cost alternatives in the area. For budget options, look into sites with minimal amenities and consider camping during off-season periods when rates may be reduced. Always check current regulations as camping rules and fees can change, and what was once free might now require payment.

What amenities are available at tent campgrounds near Oklahoma City?

Tent campgrounds near Oklahoma City offer varying amenities. Lazy H Alpaca Ranch provides a unique atmosphere with excellent facilities and a memorable experience. At many public campgrounds like Shawnee Twin Lakes, you'll find fire pits with attached grills, concrete picnic tables, and designated swimming areas. Some sites offer fishing opportunities, boat ramps, and hiking trails. Bathroom facilities range from basic to well-maintained shower houses, though quality varies by location. Most established campgrounds include picnic areas and trash disposal. Private campgrounds may offer additional amenities like outdoor kitchens, showers, and unique accommodations. Always check current availability as amenities can change seasonally.

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