Near Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, camping options range from basic RV parks to lakeside retreats across the northeast Oklahoma region. The area sits at around 650-750 feet elevation with a humid subtropical climate that delivers hot summers and mild winters. Most campgrounds in the area operate year-round, though lake facilities typically have seasonal restrictions from April through October.
What to do
Water recreation at Oologah Lake: Hawthorn Bluff campground on Oologah Lake provides access to swimming, fishing, and boating activities. "The swim beach was well kept and easily accessible with free life jacket loaners," notes a visitor. Many sites overlook the lake, though campers should be aware of steep drops near some lakeside spots.
Hiking and fishing opportunities: Taylor Ferry on Fort Gibson Lake offers both activities with well-maintained grounds. "Great place to camp and boat. Good fishing spots as well," explains a camper. Some visitors have reported finding interesting wildlife: "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."
Historical exploration: While camping at Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch, visitors can tour historical sites. "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," explains one reviewer. The property connects visitors to Oklahoma's western heritage with nearby access to Oologah Lake.
What campers like
Spacious sites with privacy: Blue Creek campground offers well-spaced sites, many with covered picnic areas. "Many sites had a covered concrete pad with a large concrete picnic table, utility table, and lantern hook," according to a recent visitor. The campground divides into sections with and without electrical hookups.
Recreational amenities: Campers appreciate the variety of activities available at Blue Creek. "Aside from fishing and boating, there are many activities you can enjoy here including volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and basketball. When the gate attendant is there, you can check out supplies for these activities."
Peaceful lakeside settings: Taylor Ferry campground receives praise for its quiet environment. "We love this. We go here all the time. It is clean and peaceful and quite and nice," shares one regular visitor. Another camper notes: "The campsite itself wasn't the best but the whole experience was amazing. The weather was beautiful, water was warm, and the sounds of the highway was soothing."
What you should know
Limited horse facilities: Despite the region's western heritage, true equestrian camping near Broken Arrow remains limited. Some facilities permit horses in specific sections, like Blue Creek's group camping area (Sites 54-61), but dedicated amenities are scarce. If traveling with horses near Broken Arrow, contact campgrounds directly about policies.
Seasonal operation: Most lake campgrounds operate on restricted schedules. Hawthorn Bluff runs from April through October, while Blue Creek operates April through September. One camper noted: "Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site."
Varying facilities: Bathhouse quality differs significantly between properties. "The section with sites 36-61 has vault toilets, which were clean, but the flush toilets/showers are within a reasonable walking distance," reports a Blue Creek visitor. At other campgrounds, maintenance issues have been noted: "Only one shower was working and the two toilets are not enclosed."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming options: Sheppard Point campground features a swimming area suitable for families. "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," reports one visitor. Water clarity varies by location and season.
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer play equipment for children. "There is also a hiking trail. We saw a few people kayaking," noted a Blue Creek visitor. Families should research specific amenities before booking, as playground equipment quality varies across sites.
Educational opportunities: Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch offers learning experiences alongside camping. "It is such a beautiful place, rich in history and I highly recommend visiting at least once!" The $25 per night RV camping allows stays up to three days with application required.
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Several campgrounds present difficulties for RV leveling. At Sheppard Point, one camper 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." At Hawthorn Bluff, a visitor noted: "Site 55 was not going to work for us. It had a very short sloping half-circle drive and after 10 minutes of maneuvering, it was obvious there was no way we were going to be level."
Hookup availability: Claremore Expo RV Park offers full hookups but spaces can be tight. "Spots are level and have full hook ups. We didn't try the bathrooms or laundry rooms and stayed only 3 nights," reports one visitor. Another notes: "Spots all seem to be pull through and they stack you close when full. It's park yourself just remember your site number."
Utility concerns: Electrical service quality varies significantly. A Sheppard Point visitor noted voltage issues: "The power pedestal, from the 120v 20amp receptacle, is putting out 134v. The neighboring spot's pedestal is putting out 103v." At other sites, water connections may not be at each site: "The site did not have a dedicated water hook up. We had to buy a 75' hose to put water in our fresh tank."
