Several established campgrounds surround Meeker, Oklahoma, offering overnight stays within a 30-mile radius. Located in central Oklahoma at approximately 900 feet elevation, the area features rolling terrain interspersed with lakes and reservoirs. Winter temperatures typically range from 25-45°F, while summer months regularly see highs above 95°F with significant humidity.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Bell Cow Lake Campground C provides access to fishing, though results vary by season. "My husband did not catch anything when fishing, but he had fun. The lake is filled with red clay," writes one camper who found alternative activities.
Horseback riding trails: Bell Cow Lake features extensive equestrian facilities. "There are miles of equestrian trails. Hiked down one and the trail was very peaceful and beautiful," notes a visitor who explored the paths on foot.
Swimming options: Shawnee Twin Lakes has designated swimming areas for cooling off during hot summer days. "The swimming areas were nice and it was perfect for our boat!!" reports a camper who enjoyed multiple water activities.
Clay harvesting: Some campers find unique ways to engage with the natural resources. At Bell Cow Lake, one visitor shares: "My mom and I harvested some [red clay] and made little figures and baked them in the sun. We had so much fun."
What campers like
Restaurant access: Catfish Round-Up RV Park stands out for its on-site dining option. "The adjoining restaurant is very good, very friendly," mentions one camper, while another adds they "enjoyed our meal, but the service was GREAT. They came around with apple fritters while we were looking at the menu."
Spacious campsites: Shawnee Twin Lakes features well-designed camping areas. "Beautiful sunset views and nice, spacious, clean campsites all with fire pits with attached grill! The price per site/night allows for two tents on one site!" explains a satisfied visitor.
Clean facilities: Oklahoma City East KOA maintains high standards according to reviews. "Bath house is very nice and there's a great playground and dog park. I'm very happy we decided to pull in," reports one camper, while another notes the "bathrooms were nice and clean, individual rooms with toilet, sink and shower in each."
Hiking trails: Multiple camping areas near Meeker offer walking paths. As one Bell Cow Lake visitor explains: "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."
What you should know
Campsite conditions: Some areas may have cleanliness issues. At Bell Cow Lake, a camper reports: "Our campsite had trash there when we got there. No big deal we cleaned it, but because of the food on the ground from the previous campers, our camp site was filled with flys."
Water quality concerns: Multiple campsites report water quality issues. At Arcadia Lake, one camper commented: "Water was brown, but we have a Berkey filter, so it wasn't a problem for us. I wouldn't be happy if we didn't have the Berkey, and weren't still winterized. Use your inline filters here!"
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience traffic noise despite rural settings. A Bell Cow Lake camper noted: "One of the only things we did not like was with the campsite being 2 miles from I-44 you could hear the highway traffic all night."
Seasonal bathroom conditions: Facility maintenance varies by time of year. A recent camper at Bell Cow Lake observed: "Bathrooms were kind of gross but I expect that's due to visiting in a shoulder season."
Tips for camping with families
Playground facilities: Happy Acres RV Park & Campground offers dedicated recreation space with "32 acres of hiking trails" according to a visitor who appreciated the well-maintained facilities.
Swimming safety: Lakes in the area typically feature gradual entries but varied bottom conditions. At Bell Cow Lake, a camper reports: "Swimming was great with a sand bottom once you got past the grass along the shoreline."
Activities for non-fishers: Some campers find fishing limited but discover alternative activities. As one visitor to Shawnee Twin Lakes explains: "My wife found it a bit boring but she isn't as into fishing as I am. She just enjoyed the water. She went swimming and said the water was nice."
Pack slip-on shoes: Sandy terrain at some campgrounds requires appropriate footwear. "For anyone planning to camp, make sure u bring slip on shoes. U can go barefoot, we did. But the sand which is great at first... left our feet raw," advises a Bell Cow Lake camper.
Tips from RVers
Affordable overnight stays: Sparks America Campgrounds offers reasonable rates with clean facilities. "The grounds was very clean the bathrooms was totally clean easy to get to overall a great experience," reports an RV camper.
Road access considerations: Some campgrounds have variable road conditions. One visitor to Rolling Stone Stables and RV Park notes: "The road is dirt the last 1/4mile if you follow Tammy's directions you won't have a problem, I made it in with a 42ft allegro bus with a car trailer."
Hookup reliability: Electric and water connections vary between campgrounds. At Catfish Round-Up RV Park, a camper shares: "We are in a 33 ft class pulling a Jeep Wrangler, and we did not unhook the Jeep. The campground is $27.50 per night, they have wifi, full hookup, and there are over the air tv stations."
Site spacing: RV sites vary in proximity to neighbors across campgrounds. An Oklahoma City East KOA visitor observed: "The spaces were a good size to fit our 45' toyhauler with 2 vehicles (and put the back patio down). There are a fair bit of trees, so big rigs use caution pulling into spaces."
