Bell Cow Lake Campground C offers access to equestrian-friendly trails near Mannford, Oklahoma. While standard horse corrals are not provided, this established campground accommodates horses through designated areas where riders can set up portable corrals or highlines. The grounds feature water hookups, showers, toilets, and electric hookups with fifty-amp service. The trails near the lake provide moderate terrain suitable for beginner to intermediate riders. The campground serves tent, RV, and glamping visitors with sites that allow sufficient space for horse trailers. The trails often exhibit minimal maintenance but remain passable and scenic for riders.
Located approximately 28 miles southeast of Mannford, this horse-friendly destination connects to several trail systems around Bell Cow Lake. The riding paths offer varied terrain with lake views and wooded sections. Riders should bring their own portable corrals or tie-out systems as permanent horse facilities are limited. Water for horses is available at designated points throughout the camping area. The campground operates year-round but trail conditions vary seasonally, with spring offering the most favorable riding conditions when wildflowers bloom along the paths. Advance reservations are recommended for groups with multiple horses, especially during summer weekends when the campground experiences higher traffic. Most sites accommodate both camping equipment and horse trailers with adequate spacing for animal safety.
$30 - $75 / night
"The only bad thing is the tent sites are next to the waters edge and can get flooded out. The RV sites are the best for they have shade trees."
"Lake is very nice."
$15 - $50 / night
"Not only is the campground very nice, but they actually have a trail system which is the only campground to have that in the area. They have both tent camping regular R. V."
"We camped next to some friends which worked out well because our picnic table was very close to the other people camping next to us."
"Peaceful and quiet lake. We stayed mid week and our sons had a blast kayaking. The only boat traffic were those fishing, and they didn't seem to mind our sons rowing."
"Needed electricity since it was 98 outside with 60% humidity. This place is fairly small and looks like used mostly by locals."
$16 - $50 / night
"Great location with lots of shade. Also, very close to the playground. Easy spot to back-in and is very level. Only downside is that you must be back in the park by 10:00 PM."
"Lake side spots are not advisable if you have little ones, the bluffs are very close to the fire pits and have about a 30ft drop."
$15 - $30 / night
"Offers Equestrian trails, hiking trails, and bicycling trails. Our favorite in-state campground."
"The sides have enough room for the grandkids to roam around it besides for electric and water only but offered a view of the lake and we're close by a swim area."
"This is a great location for RVers that want the conveniences and/or are wanting to see the local area."
"There is also equestrian RV sites with pens, tent camping with shared water spigots, primitive tent camping and a dump station. There are miles of equestrian trails."
"After finding out all of the RV and tent camping areas around OKC were at capacity we gave Bell Cow Lake a shot and we were not disappointed."
$16 - $50 / night
"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."
"General: Blue Creek is one of four campgrounds operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers on Oologah Lake (the others are Spencer Creek, Red Bud, and Hawthorn Bluff)."
$42 / night
"Horse track and casino were well within walking distance from the camp sites. Quiet location, just off the highway. Highway could not be heard from inside our camper."
"Lots of restaurants close by."
"You can tour the birthplace for free, there’s an old barn to explore, you can go hiking, there’s horse trails as well."
LegendNot only is the campground very nice, but they actually have a trail system which is the only campground to have that in the area. They have both tent camping regular R. V. Camping and equestrian spots with appropriate services for the horses.
GuideCampground C area offers many pull through RV sites and some back-in RV sites, all with electric & water hook ups. There is also equestrian RV sites with pens, tent camping with shared water spigots, primitive tent camping and a dump station. There are miles of equestrian trails. Hiked down one and the trail was very peaceful and beautiful. It had recently rained a lot, so I had a thick layer of red mud on my shoes from the hike, but glad I hiked it. There are bathrooms with showers, a swim beach, a volleyball court, pavilions, a boat ramp, and plenty of wildlife. Lake is calm & shallow, so it is best for small boats and kayaks. There were plenty of flies due to the time of year and the presence of horses, so a good fly swatter and a fly trap is recommended. Found a small cemetery on the drive to the campsite with some very old grave sites. In all, it was a great place to escape from the real world and relax.
TravelerWe 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. And hiking/equestrian trails can be accessed from the group camp or park entrance.
RangerI wouldn’t say this is camping. The people that usually stay here are in town for events at the Expo or driving thru. There is a lot to do nearby. TWithin walking distance there’s the expo center (you can go in and pet horses) and a Rec center with a pool. You can go to Will Rogers Museum, JM Davis fun museum, RSU has a nice little hiking trail as does the Lake.
RangerSpent one night at this campground. Grounds were clean, restrooms and showers were also clean. The check in office was inviting and pleasing. We didn’t use the laundry facility while we were there, but they are available should the need arise. Bathrooms were locked and secure and passcode was required to enter. Passcode was provided upon check in. Our site was a pull through level gravel pad with full hookups. The off leash dog park was a small fenced in area with a couple of benches. Horse track and casino were well within walking distance from the camp sites. Quiet location, just off the highway. Highway could not be heard from inside our camper.
ScoutThe amenities were very clean, some being very new. Multiple new dump stations in each area. Bathrooms were very clean. Most all campsites are right on the water. Beautiful campground. Offers Equestrian trails, hiking trails, and bicycling trails. Our favorite in-state campground.
GuideThis campground was mostly clean and pleasant for a short weekend trip. We did find a lot of cigarette butts all over our site but other than that it was pretty clean. We camped next to some friends which worked out well because our picnic table was very close to the other people camping next to us. The lake has a little swim beach and the water is a bit dirty like most lakes in Oklahoma. There were bathrooms and showers nearby and they were some of the nicer bathrooms that we have come across. There isn’t a lot of shade so be aware of that. We didn’t get a chance to kayak while we were there because it was extremely hot and then we had a storm roll in but the lake seemed pretty nice for kayaking and other small boats.
LegendIt is a nice little campground that has R.V. camping and tent camping. We like camping here because the campsite is next to the shore. There are some nice camping spots under shade trees. When you want to cool off you can just walk from your campsite to the water and get in and cool off. However don't wear white when you go swimming because after you go swimming white cloths turn orange. It does have a swim beach but we like to swim privately at camp. The fishing is pretty good. There is a playground and restrooms with showers. They only have about 25 campsites that are 1st come 1st serve. Getting a campsite near holidays like the 4th of July is almost impossible unless you go days early to get a spot. The campsites have picnic tables, grills and a fire ring. They also have trails for riding horses. Camping with electric is $18.00 Senior citizens (55 and up) and disabled citizens is $15.00 Primitive camping is$8.00
GuideWe reserve two sites side by side in the beaver cove campground. The sites are on a slight decline but pull through and we were able to make them level with our blocks. The sides have enough room for the grandkids to roam around it besides for electric and water only but offered a view of the lake and we're close by a swim area. The trees at the sides provided adequate shade for the afternoon sun and the campground offered boat ramps couple of swim areas and on-site store for gas and supplies including and after hours vending machine with propane tanks and charcoal and s'mores supplies. The dump station provided slots for three RVs at one time and well thought out. The crap ground offers hiking bicycle and horse trails that cover a large area. Wildlife was abundant with plenty of deer and Canadian geese and squirrels. The campgrounds offer some annual sites for long-term visits but there is a waiting list to be on that.
Equestrian camping near Mannford, Oklahoma offers varied terrain across multiple lake systems in the northeastern part of the state. The region features several Corps of Engineers campgrounds along Keystone Lake and surrounding water bodies, with most sites sitting at elevations between 700-750 feet. During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 90°F, making spring and fall the preferred seasons for horse trail riding across the area's mix of prairie and wooded landscapes.
Horseback riding trails: The trail systems around Blue Creek provide options for equestrians of all levels. A camper noted, "Horses are allowed in the group camping section (Sites 54-61)" and there are dedicated "hiking/equestrian trails can be accessed from the group camp or park entrance."
Swimming and water activities: Sheppard Point offers water access with "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." The water remains relatively calm, making it suitable for beginners.
Historical explorations: Visit Dog Iron Ranch & Will Rogers Birthplace for a cultural break between rides. A local shares, "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, there's horse trails as well."
Quiet weekday camping: Most campgrounds in the area have significantly lower occupancy Monday through Thursday. At Blue Creek, one camper reported, "On a weekday in early May, the section with electric was full but we had the section with sites 36-61 entirely to ourselves."
Lake access and views: The lakes around Mannford provide scenic settings for campsites. At Lake Carl Blackwell, campers enjoy waterfront camping: "Most all campsites are right on the water. Beautiful campground. Offers Equestrian trails, hiking trails, and bicycling trails."
Wildlife viewing: The varied habitats support diverse wildlife. One camper at Blue Creek described, "Wonderful views of the cove. We stayed in lot 31 and a few large elm trees gave our campsite evening shade... Lots of birds, including a resident blue heron the locals named Charlie."
Campsite features vary widely: Site amenities differ between campgrounds. At Stroud Municipal Lake, "The campsites have picnic tables, grills and a fire ring. They also have trails for riding horses. Camping with electric is $18.00. Senior citizens (55 and up) and disabled citizens is $15.00. Primitive camping is $8.00."
Seasonal bathroom availability: Water access can change seasonally. One camper at Sheppard Point noted, "We camped in late November so water was shut off but electric worked well. Bathrooms were pretty gross and the facilities in general just felt fairly decrepit."
Site leveling challenges: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Sheppard Point, a camper warned, "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."
Budget-friendly options: Compared to commercial campgrounds, Bell Cow Lake Campground C offers affordable rates. A family noted, "Bell Cow lake may become one of our go to places as it is still within an easy drive from OKC and half the price of the next closest lake to camp at (Lake Arcadia). Tent camping is $10 a night, RV is $20."
Water quality awareness: Some lakes have distinctive water properties. One family mentioned, "The lake is filled with red clay. My mom and I harvested some and made little figures and baked them in the sun. We had so much fun."
Activity equipment: Many campgrounds offer rentals or free equipment. At Lake Carl Blackwell, "When the gate attendant is there, you can check out supplies for these activities" including volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and basketball.
Full hookup locations: Most campgrounds offer limited full hookup sites. At Bell Cow, an RVer mentioned, "Campground C area offers many pull through RV sites and some back-in RV sites, all with electric & water hook ups. There is also equestrian RV sites with pens."
Extension cords and water hoses: Sites sometimes require longer than standard equipment. One camper at Blue Creek shared, "We were able to switch sites (no one else was there!) and Site 42 was much better and like many others, had a large semi-circular drive."
Weekend reservation timing: For prime equestrian camping weekends, plan ahead. At Stroud Municipal Lake, a camper warned they "only have about 25 campsites that are 1st come 1st serve. Getting a campsite near holidays like the 4th of July is almost impossible unless you go days early to get a spot."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Mannford, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Mannford, OK is Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Keystone Lake with a 3.5-star rating from 8 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Mannford, OK?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Mannford, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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