Camping near Kaw Lake
Camping around Kaw Lake, Oklahoma encompasses several established campgrounds with a mix of RV and tent sites situated along the shoreline. The area includes popular locations such as Osage Cove, Sarge Creek, Coon Creek Cove, McFadden Cove, Bear Creek Cove, and Washunga Bay. Located in northeastern Oklahoma near Ponca City, these campgrounds provide direct access to the 38-mile-long reservoir created by the Kaw Dam on the Arkansas River. Visitors can enjoy fishing for striped bass and hybrid striped bass, particularly near the dam. According to one camper, "Osage Cove includes the southern trailhead for the Eagle View Trail," offering hiking opportunities beyond the typical lake activities.
Most Kaw Lake campgrounds operate seasonally, with the primary camping season running from spring through fall. Osage Cove is open March 1 through September 28, while Sarge Creek and Bear Creek Cove operate from April 1 to October 31. Washunga Bay has a shorter season from May 1 to September 15. Reservations are recommended, especially for holiday weekends, and can be made through Recreation.gov. Summer temperatures in Oklahoma can be extremely hot, with limited shade at many sites. The region experiences strong winds, particularly in spring, and thunderstorms are common during summer months. Most campgrounds offer electric hookups and drinking water, though amenities vary by location.
The camping experience varies between the different coves and recreation areas. RV campers will find numerous sites with electric hookups, drinking water, and sanitary dump stations, though full sewer hookups are limited to select locations like Bear Creek Cove and The Sandbur RV Park. Tent campers can find designated sites at most campgrounds, with some offering walk-in options. One camper at Sarge Creek noted, "It's right on Kaw lake, is clean and all maintained, and even has showers," though they mentioned limited privacy between sites. Boat-in access is available at Bear Creek Cove and McFadden Cove, making these locations popular with anglers and water recreation enthusiasts. Most campgrounds are pet-friendly and feature standard amenities like picnic tables and fire rings.
