Oologah Lake and Keystone Lake provide multiple equestrian camping options near Leonard, Oklahoma. The lakes sit within the green, rolling terrain of northeastern Oklahoma, where camping areas typically remain open from April through October. Most horse-friendly sites offer modest amenities including water access and electric hookups.
What to do
Horseback riding at designated trails: Blue Creek Campground offers equestrian trails with varying terrain for riders of different skill levels. As one visitor noted, "Really enjoyed this camp ground. It was very clean and well maintained. The beach was great and there are some Really nice trails for hiking or horseback riding."
Fishing opportunities: Hawthorn Bluff on Oologah Lake provides excellent bank fishing access. "The fishing dock was very spacious and secure for us and the grandkids," reports one camper, adding that "the lake was beautiful at sunset."
Lake swimming: The lakes offer designated swimming areas during summer months. A visitor to Sheppard Point mentioned, "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."
Wildlife viewing: The wooded areas surrounding these lakes support diverse wildlife. At Taylor Ferry, campers can spot interesting tracks and aquatic species. One visitor reported, "Saw some really interesting paw prints and found a bunch of fish skeletons. One was an Alligator Gar and the rest were catfish of different types."
What campers like
Waterfront sites with views: Many campers appreciate the scenic lake views available at most campgrounds. A visitor to Blue Creek noted, "We camped in a spot near the water. The lake was beautiful at sunset. The bathroom was clean, our spot had a covered picnic table, grill and fire ring."
Spacious, shaded campsites: Chicken Creek Campground offers well-shaded sites. A reviewer mentioned, "Great camp ground, plenty of shady spots," though they noted "they are limited on sites with 50amps."
Clean facilities: Most campgrounds maintain clean restrooms. A visitor to Taylor Ferry commented, "We stayed on the north end which has a private shower house," adding that "gate keepers were wonderful and very helpful."
Quiet atmosphere: Many campgrounds offer peaceful settings despite their relative proximity to towns. One camper at Stroud Municipal Lake observed, "Lots of teens running around and swimming in the afternoon and evening but they cleared out around dark and it was really quiet."
What you should know
Seasonal operations: Most campgrounds operate from April through October with reduced services in off-season. A visitor to Sheppard Point noted, "We were here in early March. There was no water hook up but they did have 30 amp. Very quiet as we were the only ones there."
Variable site levelness: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for RVs. One camper at Hawthorn Bluff reported, "My RV spot is so unlevel it's almost unusable. Front to back there is 2 feet in elevation difference and a foot from side to side."
Water quality considerations: Lake water clarity varies throughout the season. A visitor to Stroud Municipal Lake warned, "However don't wear white when you go swimming because after you go swimming white clothes turn orange."
Bathroom maintenance varies: Facility conditions differ between campgrounds. At Chicken Creek, a camper mentioned, "Vault toilet was buggy enough that the kids wouldn't use it," while another noted "Showers were in rough shape."
Tips for camping with families
Water recreation options: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Keystone Lake offers extensive water activities. A visitor shared, "This place is awesome for hot summer days. Fun for all ages especially kids. The camping includes the floating inflatables, paddle boards, kayaks, air-conditioned outdoor pool with water slides and splash pad."
Beach accessibility: Several campgrounds feature designated swimming beaches. A camper at Sheppard Point wrote, "The campground was mostly clean and pleasant for a short weekend trip. The lake has a little swim beach and the water is a bit dirty like most lakes in Oklahoma."
Playground availability: Some campgrounds include playground equipment for children. A visitor to Stroud Municipal Lake mentioned, "There is a playground and restrooms with showers."
Educational opportunities: Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch offers historical experiences alongside camping. A visitor noted, "There's lots of animals to pet and lots of history to learn. You can tour the birthplace for free, there's an old barn to explore, you can go hiking."
Tips from RVers
Hookup limitations: Many campgrounds offer electric but lack full hookups. At Claremore Expo RV Park, a visitor noted, "Spots are level and have full hook ups," but cautioned "Spots all seem to be pull through and they stack you close when full."
Water access issues: Some campgrounds require long hoses to reach water hookups. At Hawthorn Bluff, a camper shared, "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."
Dump station availability: Not all campgrounds maintain operational dump stations year-round. A camper at Blue Creek mentioned, "There was a dump station, but it was coned off when we were there."
Gate closure hours: Some campgrounds restrict after-hours access. A visitor to Taylor Ferry noted, "Quiet hours: 10:00 pm to 6:00 am. Entrance gate will be closed during this time."
