Fort Gibson Lake covers 19,900 acres with 225 miles of shoreline at normal pool elevation. Located in northeastern Oklahoma's Green Country, the lake sits at approximately 554 feet above sea level. Camping options typically remain open from April through October, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F.
What to do
Swimming and beach access: Taylor Ferry Campground offers good lake access for swimming during summer months. "Right off the water. Clean bathrooms/showers. Quiet place to camp," notes Matt K. about Blue Creek, which provides similar water recreation opportunities.
Fishing spots: Fort Gibson Lake supports diverse fish populations including catfish, bass, and crappie. "We caught some catfish right off the rock peer," explains Elizabeth B. about her stay at Taylor Ferry Campground. The lake maintains fishing access points at multiple locations.
Hiking and exploring: Several campgrounds maintain trail access. "The hiking trails are nice although I have been a couple of times and had a TON of ticks but not very often," warns Jennifer D. about trails near Hawthorn Bluff. Trails range from shoreline paths to wooded routes through the surrounding hills.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Many campsites provide adequate room for equipment and activities. "The site that we had was more than enough room for 4 adults, 3 kids and a dog. We had 2 cars, two tents, a canopy and the dog on a tie out leash and still had plenty of room," reports Stephen R. about Hawthorn Bluff.
Wildlife viewing: The lake area supports diverse wildlife populations. "Saw some really interesting paw prints and found a bunch or fish skeletons. One was an Alligator Gar and the rest were catfish of different types," mentions Shawn L. during his stay at Taylor Ferry Campground.
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds maintain peaceful environments, especially during weekdays. "We love this place. It's close to our home. It's quiet. It doesn't have the best amenities but the views are good. It's super quiet and sometimes you have a lot of the camp ground to yourself," explains Matt B. about his experiences at Blue Creek.
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: Horse campgrounds near Fort Gibson Lake remain extremely limited. While Chicken Creek Campground allows pets, it lacks dedicated horse corrals or equestrian amenities according to visitor information.
Seasonal water levels: Water levels fluctuate throughout the year. "Because of the low water you can walk very far into the water from where we we're staying," notes Elizabeth B. about conditions at Taylor Ferry Campground. Check current lake conditions before planning water activities.
Campground closure dates: Most campgrounds operate seasonally. "Peak Season April 01, 2021 - September 30, 2021. First-come, First-served October 01, 2021 - November 30, 2021," explains one visitor about Chicken Creek's operational schedule. Always verify current schedules before planning trips.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds include play equipment for children. "There is a lot to do! The camping sites are good and close to restrooms, there is a nice sandy beach for swimming, a long rocky shoreline that is fun to explore and hunt shells," shares Jennifer D. about Hawthorn Bluff.
Safety considerations: Certain campsites present potential hazards for small children. "Lake side spots are not advisable if you have little ones, the bluffs are very close to the fire pits and have about a 30ft drop," warns Douglas about Hawthorn Bluff. Always inspect sites upon arrival.
Swimming options: Look for designated swimming areas with amenities. "The swim beach was well kept and easily accessible with free life jacket loaners," notes Stephen R., highlighting an important safety feature for families with children.
Tips from RVers
Limited sewer connections: Many campgrounds offer electric and water hookups without sewer connections. "The campground is great except no sewer connections. The boat ramp is fantastic, great views of the lake and plenty of trees most sites are shaded," explains Royce A. about Taylor Ferry Campground.
Leveling challenges: Some sites require significant leveling equipment. "We could not get level front to back. We moved a couple of times and tried all combination of stacking lumber under the tongue jack but still had to sleep with our heads at the foot end of our bed," shares Ron K. about site #31 at Hawthorn Bluff.
Water hookup variations: Water access varies between campgrounds. "The only downside is that they don't have water hookups at the sites. You can connect your hose to the nearest spigot but you better hope it's long enough," notes Sherly C. about Hawthorn Bluff's water setup.
