Fort Gibson Lake sits in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains in northeastern Oklahoma, covering 19,900 acres with 225 miles of shoreline. The reservoir reaches maximum depths of 70 feet and features limestone bluffs along portions of the shoreline. RV camping options vary widely in this region, with significant seasonal temperature fluctuations—summer highs regularly exceed 90°F while winter evenings can drop below freezing.
What to do
Fishing access: Marval Camping Resort in Gore provides convenient access to the Illinois River, a popular spot for catching smallmouth bass, trout, and catfish. "It's totally worth the visit. It's on the Illinois river and is very well kept. Full hookups. Nice staff. Beautiful," notes Nicholas L.
Boat rentals: Several marinas within 10-15 minutes of Tenkiller Bluff RV Park offer pontoon and fishing boat rentals starting at $200 daily. "This property is located a half mile from the Barnicle Bills Marina and boat ramp. Perfect place to rest after a day of water fun," according to Ashley F.
Hiking trails: The area surrounding Onapa RV Park features multiple nature trails with varying difficulty levels. "It has beautiful hiking paths. The people are friendly and helpful," reports Paul F. Trails range from easy 1-mile loops to more challenging 5-mile routes with elevation changes.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Sasquatch RV Park offers sites with enough room for standard-sized RVs plus additional vehicles. "Affordable and cute place to stay for any reason... great place for kids three or four trails in the back with a basketball goal and a teepee that was painted by a little girl who stayed there years ago," writes Elizabeth B.
Clean facilities: Many campers highlight the well-maintained facilities at rv parks near Fort Gibson, Oklahoma. "The campground was very beautiful, clean, and for all types of campers. It had nice bathrooms, clean and warm. The area was well taken care of," Dustin L. says about Marval Camping Resort.
Quiet atmosphere: Several campgrounds prioritize peaceful environments away from highway noise. "Wife and I stayed here for 5 nights, the owners were very friendly and helpful. The campground is close to Checotah and several boat ramps for lake access," notes Frank S. about Onapa RV Park.
What you should know
Train noise: Some Fort Gibson area RV parks experience railroad disturbances. "This Loves RV stop is not at a truck stop so not as much noise. Great sites that are flat and level... BUT the train that comes through several times a night uses their horn more than I have ever heard," warns Kevin K.
WiFi reliability: Internet connectivity varies significantly between rv campgrounds around Fort Gibson Lake. "It has 50, 30 and 20 amp hookups. It has shower. It has washer and dryers... If there was One thing that I didn't like about the site. It's that the Wi-Fi is kind of spotty, but I can work around that," explains Paul F.
Reservation timing: For peak summer periods (June-August), most campgrounds recommend booking at least 4-6 weeks in advance. "Located about 4 miles south of I40, this was a great overnight stop. The hosts are extremely friendly and accommodating. We were greeted upon driving in and promptly directed to our site," shares Sara M.
Tips for camping with families
Recreational options: Chouteau Moto RV Park provides family-friendly amenities within 30 minutes of Fort Gibson Lake. "Hot water showers, bathrooms, laundry room, wifi, this place has it all. Perfect for your next family vacation as it is only minutes away from rivers to explore," notes Ashley F.
Activity planning: Several campgrounds offer organized events during summer months. "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.
Space considerations: Some campgrounds can become crowded during peak seasons. "The sites are close together, it was beyond crowded (my son couldn't even ride his bike because of the constant amount of cars) and not much to do (a lot of activities closed because of covid)," reports Brittany J.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Pack leveling blocks as many sites require adjustment. "Great sites, quiet campground. Wooded, grass, fenced in dog area, clean grounds. This park has so much potential, but there's lots of unfinished projects, poorly marked buildings, limited cleaning," notes Elizabeth S. about Crossroads RV Park.
Gravel road conditions: Access roads to several rv parks near Fort Gibson Lake can become muddy after rainfall. "Located about 4 miles south of I40, this was a great overnight stop... They have nicely spaced spots, not exactly level, but very clean and quiet," explains Sara M.
Laundry facilities: Several campgrounds offer on-site laundry at competitive rates. "They also have two washers and two dryers (@ $2.50 each that's cheaper than the local laundry mat) in a little bath house that also has a temperature controlled bathroom with a nice shower inside," mentions Elizabeth B. about Sasquatch RV Park.
