Bell Cow Lake Campground C, located 30 miles east of Edmond in Chandler, Oklahoma, sits within the Cross Timbers ecoregion at approximately 900 feet elevation. This region experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and mild winters. Horse owners frequently visit the campground year-round, with the most comfortable conditions for equestrian activities occurring in spring and fall when temperatures range from 60-85°F.
What to do
Trail riding: Access multiple equestrian trails directly from Bell Cow Lake Campground C. The trails range from easy to moderate difficulty with varied terrain. "There are miles of equestrian trails. Hiked down one and the trail was very peaceful and beautiful. It had recently rained a lot, so I had a thick layer of red mud on my shoes from the hike, but glad I hiked it," reports Leslie N.
Fishing: Fish for catfish, bass, and crappie at Lake Thunderbird State Park. The lake spans over 6,000 acres with multiple fishing spots accessible from shore or boat. "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," writes Stephen & Theresa B.
Swimming: Cool off at designated swimming areas available at most lakeside campgrounds. "The tent area is on the water with water access through the grass along the shoreline. Swimming was great with a sand bottom once you got past the grass along the shoreline," explains Jon B. about his experience at Bell Cow Lake.
What campers like
Wildlife encounters: Many equestrian campgrounds near Edmond feature abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. At Scissortail Campground, families often spot deer throughout the day. "The kids loved feeding all the deer. Great clean park!" shares Rachael V.
Lake access: Most campgrounds offer direct water access for horses and humans. "Most all campsites are right on the water. Beautiful campground. Offers Equestrian trails, hiking trails, and bicycling trails. Our favorite in-state campground," says David D. about Lake Carl Blackwell.
Quiet environment: Many horse-friendly campgrounds provide peaceful settings away from urban noise. "Stayed here for a couple nights, few other campers. Site was straight across from the lake. Got some good hiking in," reports Valerie C. about Little Axe Campground at Lake Thunderbird.
Affordability: Most equestrian campgrounds near Edmond maintain reasonable rates. "Tent camping is $10 a night, RV is $20," notes Jon B. about Bell Cow Lake, making it half the price of some other area campgrounds.
What you should know
Seasonal flooding: Lower-lying sites at several horse campgrounds may flood during heavy rainfall. "We had a blast! The fire ring seemed new, and the picnic table was a great addition!" shares Morgan D. about Arcadia Lake, but others note that some waterfront sites can become unusable after heavy rain.
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary widely between campgrounds and seasons. "Bathrooms were kind of gross but I expect that's due to visiting in a shoulder season," reports Rachel S. about Bell Cow Lake Campground C.
Reservation systems: Some horse-friendly campgrounds operate on first-come, first-served basis while others allow advance booking. "You can reserve spaces (which is fabulous) and because you have to pay $5 just to get in (if you aren't camping), there is less traffic and it is quieter," explains Tracy C. about Little Axe Campground.
Water access: Hose connections for watering horses may be shared between sites. Bring extra hose length for convenient access to water for your horses.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Look for designated beach areas with gradual entry points. "There is a designated swimming area in the campgrounds. Beautiful, wooded park with large lake that has a section for watersports and fishing," notes Noelle H. about Little Axe Campground.
Playground access: Several equestrian campgrounds include play equipment for children. "There's a play gym for kiddos and clean bathrooms," mentions Tracy C. about Little Axe Campground at Lake Thunderbird.
Site selection: Choose sites away from horse corrals if camping with small children who might be intimidated by horses. "The campsites were minimal but had lots of space and were right on the lake," says Hillary B. about Liberty Lake.
Picnic amenities: Most sites include tables and fire rings suitable for family meals. "It had a spacious gravel pad, a sturdy picnic table on a concrete pad, a fire pit, a grill, and even a standing-height area that was perfect for setting up our camp kitchen," reports Nashoba_tohbi about Central State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: When bringing horses and an RV, confirm sites have appropriate electrical capacity. "The park has a handful of full hookup sites, a greater number of sites with electric only, and a large number of tent/rv sites with no hookups. There are water fill points conveniently located throughout the park," explains Dale Y. about Central State Park Campground.
Maneuverability: Check road conditions leading to equestrian camping areas. "Easy to maneuver. Very level sites. Everything worked great," shares Bill D. about Pioneer RV Park, which matters when hauling horse trailers.
Site spacing: RV sites at horse campgrounds vary in privacy and size. "Sites are fairly level," notes Adam B. about Central State Park Campground, while others mention that some equestrian sites provide more room for rigs with attached horse trailers.
Dump stations: Not all horse-friendly campgrounds have on-site dump stations. "Multiple new dump stations in each area," David D. mentions about Lake Carl Blackwell, which is convenient for longer stays with horses.
