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Best Campgrounds near Purcell, OK

437 Reviews

Camping options around Purcell, Oklahoma center primarily on Lake Thunderbird State Park, located approximately 20 miles north of the city. The park features multiple developed campgrounds including Little Axe, South Dam, and Turkey Pass, offering both tent and RV camping with varying levels of amenities. Lake Thunderbird provides waterfront camping with electric hookups, while Chandler City Park in Purcell itself caters specifically to RV campers. The region includes a mix of state park facilities and city-managed camping areas, with most sites providing at least basic amenities like picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restrooms.

Road conditions and campground accessibility remain consistent throughout most of the year, though seasonal considerations affect water levels and site availability. "We stayed the first weekend of May 2020... the first weekend some of the COVID-19 restrictions were lifted. The place was PACKED, especially with tent campers," noted one visitor to Little Sandy Campground. Campers should be aware that Oklahoma State Parks charge a daily parking fee per vehicle in addition to camping fees. During summer months, waterfront sites fill quickly, particularly on weekends. Most campgrounds in the area feature paved interior roads with gravel or concrete pads at individual sites. Cell service is generally reliable throughout the region, and proximity to Norman and Oklahoma City means supplies and services are readily available.

Several campgrounds in the area feature lakefront access, making them popular for fishing and water recreation. The Little Axe campground receives positive reviews for its location and amenities. As described in feedback on The Dyrt, "We had a great stay in Lake Thunderbird State Park near Norman Oklahoma. The park has 11 campground areas situated around the 6000 acre centerpiece lake with many tent, RV sites and some of those have full hook up." Campers frequently mention the red water of Lake Thunderbird as a distinctive feature. While some sites offer excellent spacing and privacy, others are described as being "packed in like sardines," particularly in the full hookup areas. For those seeking a quieter experience, the upper loops of campgrounds like Little Sandy provide better spacing between sites and more tree cover than waterfront locations.

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Best Camping Sites Near Purcell, Oklahoma (107)

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Recent Camping Photos near Purcell, OK

106 Photos of 107 Purcell Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Purcell, OK

437 Reviews of 107 Purcell Campgrounds

  • j
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Abe's RV Park

    Stay Away

    Bad roads! Unkept park with no perks!

  • That_Other_Grace
    Aug. 9, 2025

    North Sentinel — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Rooftop tents aren't tents

    Don't bring your rooftop tents here. They will call the cops on you in the middle of the night and make you leave. Also don't expect to use your fire pit without cleaning weeks worth of trash out of it. The showers sprayed water everywhere except for where you need it and there were condom wrappers and dirty diapers on the floor.

  • Kristina H.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Post Oak 2 — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Camping with family

    Well most time quiet and I like the pull in but back up ok too the bathroom clean and feel good on a hot day with the ac on the swimming area clean our love it. Just put up your food those raccoons get them lol

  • Tyler S.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Turner Falls Park

    Turner falls

    Fun area with waterfall, camping, swimming, and zip lines. You have to pay to enter the park and than you have access to everything inside including restaurants and stores. It can get real loud in here as people tend to have music playing loud ALL DAY. The trails are awesome, there is even a cave in an off the trail area back behind the bathrooms at the waterfall. Stay in the wash out area and hike up a ways and than off to your left you climb this up hill rock boulder up to the cave. I'd ask for directions. There are trails back there to that take you up the creek above the waterfall. It's a big area

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2025

    Turkey Pass — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Great Quiet spot

    We stayed Monday and Tuesday night and it was very quiet. Great and friendly host. Sites are nice a spread out so you’re not right on top of each other. The campground is clean but my only complaint is the amount of litter at the boat ramp. There is a dumpster there and yet no one used it. 3 bars of 5G for Verison and T-Mobile.

  • A
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Scissortail Campground

    Nice Area

    The site itself is private and could be a nice place. There was trash all over the site and the showers and bathrooms were disgusting. There are limited spots with water and with nasty bathrooms if you rely on having water you should avoid this place. There were lots of wildlife.

  • WThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 7, 2025

    Happy Acres RV Park & Campground

    Clean and well maintained

    For anyone looking for an overnight or long time stay around the Oklahoma City area this is the place. We were received with a smile as well as a free coffee cup. In my many years of rv travels I can’t recall a time when I was given a better reception. As for the part it’s clean quiet and close to anything you need. For me it was a quick workout and to Walmart to restock the rv before heading out the next day. Oh by the way they have 32 acres of hiking trails.

  • Rachael V.
    Jun. 23, 2025

    Scissortail Campground

    Tons of deer

    The kids loved feeding all the deer. Great clean park!

  • Bille W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jun. 13, 2025

    Council Road RV Park

    Good easy location

    Easy to get into right off 40z. Office closes at 6 so no laundry or check in after that.

Guide to Purcell

Camping near Purcell, Oklahoma, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and fun activities for everyone. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot to relax or a place to enjoy outdoor adventures, there are several campgrounds to choose from.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: There are great trails nearby, especially at Buckhorn Campground Loop C — Chickasaw National Recreation Area. One camper mentioned, "Great sunset views over the Lake of the Arbuckles, great hiking in the Chickasaw National Recreation Area."
  • Swimming: If you’re looking to cool off, Turner Falls Park has natural swimming areas. A visitor said, "The scrambling and water areas are great though, lots of fun."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds, like Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park, offer fishing opportunities. One reviewer noted, "Bathrooms are new and showers work great and spacious. A lot of campsites on the water so you can beach your boat."

What campers like:

  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campers appreciate the peacefulness at places like Arcadia Lake. One review stated, "This park/campground was the quietest of the three we visited."
  • Clean Facilities: Many visitors enjoy well-maintained restrooms and showers. A camper at Buckhorn Campground mentioned, "Facilities are super clean and a great spot for families."
  • Friendly Staff: Campers often highlight the helpfulness of campground staff. A visitor at Oklahoma City East KOA said, "Check in was quick and friendly."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Turner Falls Park, have limited amenities. A reviewer pointed out, "Camping areas are vast, but dirty with limited amenities."
  • First-Come, First-Serve: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A camper at Central State Park Campground noted, "First come first serve sounds great until you realize you won’t get a spot."
  • Crowded on Weekends: Expect busier conditions during weekends, especially in summer. A visitor at The Point Campground mentioned, "I was pretty much alone except for one other site near me until Friday evening when the place filled up QUICK."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Playgrounds: Look for campgrounds with playgrounds for kids. Oklahoma City East KOA has a nice playground that families enjoy.
  • Swimming Areas: Choose campgrounds with swimming options, like Turner Falls Park, which offers natural pools for kids to splash around.
  • Group Camping: Some sites, like Buckhorn Campground, have group camping areas that are great for family gatherings.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure to check the size of the sites before booking. A reviewer at Rockwell RV Park said, "Sites are close together, and location was iffy."
  • Level Sites: Look for campgrounds with level sites for easier setup. A visitor at Roadrunner RV Park mentioned, "All the sites are paved and level with grass."
  • Be Prepared for Noise: Some campgrounds near highways can be noisy. A camper at El Reno West KOA noted, "The sites were very close together. Couldn't really sit out because we were too close to our neighbor's sewer line!"

Camping near Purcell, Oklahoma, has something for everyone, from families to solo adventurers. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the great outdoors!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Purcell, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Purcell, OK is Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park with a 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.

What parks are near Purcell, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, there are 20 parks near Purcell, OK that allow camping, notably Arcadia Lake and Chickasaw National Recreation Area.

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