Arcadia Lake offers a variety of tent and RV camping options within 20 miles of Midwest City, Oklahoma. The lake spans over 1,800 acres with 26 miles of shoreline, providing water recreation opportunities from late spring through early fall when temperatures typically range from 70-95°F. Campgrounds in this area offer both wooded sites and lakefront access on relatively flat terrain.
What to do
Swimming and water activities: Central State Park Campground provides access to designated swimming areas on the lake shoreline. "The lake is nice and has a swimming area (no dogs allowed at the swimming beach). The campsites are in a different portion of the park than the day use areas, which helps minimize traffic driving by your site," notes Stephen S. about Central State Park Campground.
Fishing and lake access: Little Axe at Lake Thunderbird offers ample fishing spots with sandy shorelines. "Nice little peninsula, watched the sun come up over the water. Quiet and flat camp spot," shares Jay F. about Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park. The campground maintains dedicated shore fishing areas throughout the season.
Hiking trails: Wes Watkins Reservoir features several walking paths around the water. A camper notes, "I stayed at Wes watkins tent campground for three weeks... it was completely relaxing and quiet. The park staff was very friendly and helpful with anything that I needed." The terrain is relatively flat with some wooded areas for light hiking.
What campers like
Clean individual bathrooms: Oklahoma City East KOA features private bathroom units. "Cabin was small but clean and ideal for our needs. Nice porch with a swing. Bath house was clean and well maintained," reports Barkley K. about staying at Oklahoma City East KOA. The individual bathroom design provides added privacy for pet owners and families.
Large dog exercise areas: Twin Fountains RV Park maintains dedicated space for dogs to run. "Dog park is large and very well shaded. Laundry room is very clean and well kept," explains Rachel P. about her experience at Twin Fountains RV Park. The shaded dog park offers relief from summer heat for pets.
Well-maintained camping pads: Arcadia Lake features level sites with solid amenities. "Great campsite! Picnic tables and fire pits. Walking distance to the beautiful lake. Fairly private site lots of trees between each. Plenty of sites to choose from water front or in the woods," shares Madison P. about camping at Arcadia Lake.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Lake Thunderbird has seasonal water clarity issues. "I'll be honest, this was probably my least favorite place we camped that summer. It's just not a very pretty lake, it's dirty," explains Kelly Z. about Lake Thunderbird. Water filtration systems are recommended for drinking water at many area lakes.
Site spacing variations: Site proximity varies significantly between campgrounds. "Sites are a little close together but not too bad," notes Amy D. about camping arrangements. Some lakefront sites offer more separation than interior locations.
Weather preparedness: Oklahoma weather can change rapidly, especially in spring. "We stayed over Labor Day weekend and the park was mostly full... There are storm shelters on site," reports a camper. Most campgrounds post storm shelter locations and emergency procedures during severe weather season.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Twin Fountains RV Park includes family recreation options. "Lots of games for the kids, mini golf, a playground, clean bath house, laundry, and even a bat and grill! We bought post cards and mailed them to family and visited the good park. I only wish we were staying longer," shares E. M. Most pet-friendly campgrounds also include kid-friendly amenities.
Swimming options: Central State Park offers seasonal swimming. "The park is basic. One small shower house for the whole park, several bathrooms scattered throughout. Trash collection located with the bathrooms. The price reflects the amenities," explains Dale Y. about Central State Park. Swimming areas typically operate from Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Nature viewing: Rockwell RV Park maintains unique wildlife viewing opportunities. "The kids loved the 7 baby Buffalo on the property. Linda had wonderful customer service and accommodated our COVID request for phone check-in and payment," notes lauren W. Several area campgrounds maintain wildlife feeding areas or nature centers.
Tips from RVers
Overnight access: Love's RV Stop provides convenient overnight parking for pet owners. "Really nice stop for the night! The area was clean and well maintained, and it felt very safe. Easy in and out, with plenty of space and nearby amenities," reports J K. about Love's RV Stop. The location offers 24-hour access to pet relief areas.
Seasonal considerations: RV camping is available year-round, though amenities vary by season. "Pool was closed. Miniature Golf was cool but looked liked it needed to have a spring cleaning. Roads were nice and paved. Would defiantly stay here again," shares Henry R. about off-season camping. Most full-service RV parks maintain winter access with reduced amenities.
Hookup configurations: Some RV sites require extension hoses for proper connections. "Some sites have have sewer hookups toward the far rear with a slight incline, so it may take an extension or 2 pending your rig and some imagination," explains Daniel L. about campground utility layouts. RVers should prepare for various hookup configurations.
