Lakeside camping opportunities surround Kellyville, Oklahoma, located in Creek County about 20 miles southwest of Tulsa. The area sits at approximately 800 feet elevation with hot summers where temperatures frequently exceed 90°F from June through August. Winter lows regularly drop below freezing, making April through October the primary camping season when most facilities offer full water hookups.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Heyburn Lake near Heyburn Park provides excellent fishing with minimal boat traffic. "I live a short drive away in Tulsa, but when hunting season started, this is where I stayed on the weekends. Lots of WMA land to be explored, the park is nice and quiet with beautiful surroundings and a smaller, peaceful lake to enjoy," notes Stephen R.
Wildlife watching: Bring binoculars to spot diverse birds and animals. "We actually saw a pair of bald eagles and noodlers while out kayaking! Can't wait to go back," shares Jacquelyn L. from Heyburn Park. Multiple visitors report eagle sightings throughout the year.
Boating access: Appalachia Bay provides boat launch facilities and waterfront camping. "Weekend it gets full of atv riders due to the huge atv island that sits off the shoreline of the bay," explains Jason, indicating the popularity of motorized recreation in certain areas.
What campers like
Sandy beaches: Multiple campgrounds feature swimming areas with natural sand. At Sheppard Point, "The lake has a great swimming beach area - this seems to be a fishing lake, only a few jet skis were out besides fishing boats. Sandy bottom lake near swim beach," according to Megan B.
Uncrowded swimming: Many campers appreciate the quieter swimming areas compared to other Oklahoma lakes. "We love this little lake bc the swimming area rarely has people there and it's a nice long sandy beach," reports Jennifer D. about Heyburn Park.
Playground facilities: Families appreciate the recreational options for children. Jennifer M. shares about Heyburn Park: "Fun playground for the kids. Surrounded by water. Clean bathrooms. Season ends 10/26-no water but still has electricity. Host was helpful. Plenty of large wooded spots."
What you should know
Campsite leveling challenges: Many sites throughout the area require significant leveling. At The RV Park at Keystone Lake, which opened recently, "Streets & parking areas are blacktopped and pretty level," notes Neda H., making it an exception to the common leveling issues.
Seasonal water availability: Water services typically shut down from late October through March at most campgrounds. "Stayed here for several days. Season ends 10/26-no water but still has electricity," confirms Jennifer M. about Heyburn Park.
Supply accessibility: The nearest major shopping is in Bristow or Sapulpa. "It is near a little town of Kellyvielle and about 10 miles from Bristow, which has a nice Walmarts for getting things you might need," advises Melanie W.
Train noise considerations: Some campgrounds experience railroad noise. At Warrior Campground, Richard G. notes the campground is "fairly close to a primary road and an interstate highway," so light sleepers should select sites accordingly.
Ranger
