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Best Campgrounds near Norman, OK

343 Reviews

Camping options around Norman, Oklahoma center primarily on Lake Thunderbird State Park, which contains multiple campgrounds with varying levels of development. Lake Thunderbird features several camping areas including Little Axe, Turkey Pass, South Dam, and Critter Alley campgrounds. Most campgrounds accommodate both tent and RV camping with electric hookups and water available at many sites. Oklahoma City East KOA in nearby Choctaw offers cabin accommodations in addition to traditional tent and RV sites. Arcadia Lake, located north of Norman, provides additional camping options including cabin and glamping opportunities.

The campgrounds in this region typically remain open year-round with summer being the peak season. Most sites at Lake Thunderbird State Park feature picnic tables, fire rings, and access to restroom facilities, though amenities vary between campgrounds. Water pressure can fluctuate during busy periods, particularly on holiday weekends when campgrounds reach capacity. Reservations are recommended, especially for summer weekends and holidays when the lake attracts many visitors. Many campgrounds charge around $16-25 per night for basic sites with additional fees for hookups or premium locations. A review noted that "Typical state park. Was good for the value but will say the staff at the main office were very helpful! They saw to it that curfew was enforced!"

The lake serves as the main attraction for campers with multiple access points available from various campgrounds. Water quality at Lake Thunderbird tends to be silty with the characteristic reddish tint common to central Oklahoma lakes. Campsite spacing varies considerably between campgrounds, with some offering more privacy than others. Several visitors mentioned that while Thunderbird's upper camping loops provide more space between sites, waterfront locations tend to be more crowded. Bathroom facilities receive mixed reviews across campgrounds, with some users reporting cleanliness issues. Wildlife sightings are common, particularly at night. A camper observed that "Sites are well spaced apart and pretty level. Most have electric and water with a central located dump station near by. Plenty of fishing to be had at the lake... hiking and biking also in area."

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Best Camping Sites Near Norman, Oklahoma (96)

    1. Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    21 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 360-3572

    $25 / night

    "We had a great stay in Lake Thunderbird State Park near Norman Oklahoma."

    "Nice campspots as we are passing through Oklahoma, near Norman and restaurants/grocery stores. Quiet with decent shower and bathrooms."

    2. Oklahoma City East KOA

    22 Reviews
    Choctaw, OK
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 391-5000

    "This KOA is an excellent choice for visiting Oklahoma City. Check in was quick and friendly. It was easy to get to downtown, yet the traffic noise was never an issue. Anything you need is nearby."

    "The site is bordered by a moderately busy 4 lane road which is why I gave it 4 vs 5 stars. I was in a tent site but had easy access to electric and water. "

    3. South Dam - Lake Thunderbird State Park

    9 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 360-3572

    "Also, it's a peninsula by the dam, there's a quiet cove for fishing, good beaches and lake access, a play gym for kiddos and clean bathrooms."

    "We didn't stay but rode our bikes over from Little Ax to ride the bike trails. No one there except the campground hosts but we explored the campground and area. Very nice."

    4. Turkey Pass — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    7 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 802-4792

    "This is a great park for the RV person; there is nothing out of the ordinary but there is easy access to the lake for all sorts of water sports and a marina is available."

    "Lots of places for walks and the boat launch is just down the hill. We will stay here again, just hope they trim the trees."

    5. Roadrunner RV Park

    12 Reviews
    Oklahoma City, OK
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 677-2373

    $52 - $60 / night

    "Close to the highway and downtown OKC. Highway noise is buffered by hotels so its not really that bad. Full hookups, free wifi and codes to bathrooms for more security."

    "If traveling North get off one exit early."

    6. Hog Creek West — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    5 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 360-3572

    "We only stayed for a night but we had enough time to walk the trails close which were very nice."

    "Beautiful sunrise and sunset over the lake. Sites close together and a bit loud, but we were there on a Saturday night. Walk-in tent sites looked great."

    7. Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    6 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 360-3572

    $25 / night

    "Most have electric and water with a central located dump station near by. Plenty of fishing to be had at the lake... hiking and biking also in area.."

    "Time to rebuild the horrible bathroom by the lake. Roads need to be replaced or major patching. Some campsites are very close to each other while others have good spacing."

    8. Arcadia Lake

    60 Reviews
    Edmond, OK
    28 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 216-7470

    "Definitely be aware of flash flooding- then again... it is Oklahoma... It’s an awesome spot not too far outside of town!"

    "Very easy to get to from Oklahoma City."

    9. Critter Alley — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    5 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 360-3572

    "We had a small class camping and were recommended to Critter Alley by staff due to area and proximity to water and the nature center. The pavilion was perfect for our class and the stars were bright."

    "This is a tent camping area only state park that is on the banks of Lake Thunderbird."

    10. Lake Thunderbird State Park - Rose Rock RV Campground

    5 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 360-3572
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Recent Camping Photos near Norman, OK

51 Photos of 96 Norman Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Norman, OK

343 Reviews of 96 Norman Campgrounds

  • Kimberly L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 7, 2025

    Arcadia Lake

    Spacious sites with beautiful views

    I was pleasantly surprised by the amenities and spacious sites at such an affordable rate. Fish cleaning stations, grill, fire pit, and solid picnic tables at every site make this one of the better places I've camped. It's quiet, spaced out well, and there is so much room between sites that you can't hear your neighbors unless they're really loud. The bathrooms need serious updating or I would have given 5 stars.

  • Nathan T.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Rolling Stone Stables and RV park

    Off the path

    This place we stayed at is a small stable but has rv hookups, 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.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Central State Park Campground

    Basic state park

    This park has a handful of full hookup sites, a greater number of sites with electric only, and a large number of tent/rv sites with no hookups. There are water fill points conveniently located throughout the park.

    I stayed for 6 days while visiting kids/grandkids. The park was empty during the week, completely full on the weekend. It’s conveniently located close to i35, shopping, dining, etc. it’s on a reservoir and my site was close to a boat launch. They do rigorously enforce quiet hours though.

    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. I think I paid a little over $100 for the entire stay.

  • Jamie V.
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Rockwell RV Park

    Not safe at night. Transient people roam the area. Hourly rate motel next d

    This place does not feel safe. Located next to a meth head mobile home park and an hourly motel across the street can be entertaining at times. New owner, David Syler, took over the place and talked a big plans to upgrade things but hasn't. The park has flooding issues, has a huge vagrant problem and they hiked the rent up to$800 a month. Instead of addressing things he is kicking out anyone that speaks ill of him. Place looks old and run down and not cared for. Half the laundry machine are broken and the bathroom stalls are atrocious. The say they do background checks but have a convicted felon and murderer on site and as part of the staff and will lie if you ask. We have been tenants for over a year and we're told to vacate today with no warrant or reason.

  • 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

  • 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.

Guide to Norman

Lake Thunderbird, the centerpiece of camping near Norman, Oklahoma, spans 6,000 acres with 11 campground areas distributed around its shoreline. The region experiences hot, humid summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August. Water in the lake displays the characteristic reddish-brown tint common to central Oklahoma watersheds, with several campgrounds offering direct lake access from waterfront sites.

What to Do

Fishing opportunities: Several campgrounds at Lake Thunderbird provide fishing access, with multiple species available. At Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park, campers report "Plenty of fishing to be had at the lake... hiking and biking also in area."

Swimming areas: Some campgrounds feature designated swimming zones. Little Axe Campground includes "a designated swimming area in the campgrounds. Beautiful, wooded park with large lake that has a section for watersports and fishing," as one visitor noted.

Hiking and biking trails: Lake Thunderbird offers numerous trails for outdoor recreation. At Hog Creek West, visitors mention "We only stayed for a night but we had enough time to walk the trails close which were very nice. It seems there's more activities on the other side of the lake if that's what you want to do."

Equestrian options: For those traveling with horses, Turkey Pass — Lake Thunderbird State Park provides access to equestrian trails. The park offers "horse rental and boarding, equestrian trails, hiking, mountain biking, nature trails, a nature center, and an archery range."

What Campers Like

Waterfront sites: Many campers prioritize lakeside camping spots. At South Dam - Lake Thunderbird State Park, "Camping with a view of the lake was great" and another camper mentions "campsites are spaced out well enough and has some right by the water."

Shade availability: Trees provide relief from summer heat at many campgrounds. One camper at Hog Creek West noted "Very nice under the trees with trails" while another mentioned "Sites close together and a bit loud, but we were there on a Saturday night. Walk-in tent sites looked great."

Fall season camping: Several reviewers recommend visiting during autumn. A camper at South Dam noted, "We visited in October when the leaves were changing and it was so beautiful. The lake is great. Bring your fishing gear. Site spacing is good."

Clean facilities: Well-maintained restrooms and showers matter to campers. At Oklahoma City East KOA, "Their bath house is second to none. Members of our group rave about how clean and well kept the entire campground is."

What You Should Know

Reservation system: Most Lake Thunderbird campgrounds require advance bookings. A South Dam camper mentioned "You must make your reservations in advance online. We highly recommend this park."

Water quality concerns: Lake water has characteristic red coloration. At Oklahoma City East KOA, visitors note "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!"

Campground differences: The quality and spacing of sites varies significantly between areas. At Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park, "Some campsites are very close to each other while others have good spacing."

Weekend crowds: Sites fill quickly during peak season, especially Friday-Sunday. Little Axe gets described as a "Great quiet out of the way place.... during the week... weekends get a bit busy!!"

Tips for Camping with Families

Playground access: Several campgrounds have play areas for children. Critter Alley — Lake Thunderbird State Park "has a shelter and was much cleaner than other campgrounds in the park" and features "a bathroom and showers, fire rings, concrete tables, and an ADA site."

Swimming considerations: Designated swimming areas provide safer water access. A visitor to Little Axe noted it was "Perfect for biking/scooters/walking/swimming" and recommended staying "on the outer rim the next time we go, so that we can enjoy meals by the water."

Wildlife education: The nature center offers educational opportunities. A camper mentioned "Ernie at the nature center is fantastic and the kids all had a blast."

Wildlife awareness: Prepare for encounters with local animals. A Little Sandy camper reported seeing "Bugs, skunks, possum, and 3 kinds of poisonous snakes. Though it was too cold for snakes."

Tips from RVers

Site selection strategies: RV campers suggest researching specific sites before booking. At Turkey Pass, a camper noted "We have a 40 foot fifthwheel and was able to find several sites that would work for sat dish. Sites are not on top of each other."

Hookup details: Water and electric connections vary between campgrounds. Turkey Pass offers "50 amp, water, sewer dump station on the way out, concrete pad, picnic table under the shade tree, fire pit, 5g T-Mobile cell service."

Tree clearance issues: Some areas have low-hanging branches. A Turkey Pass camper warned "Trees need to be trimmed from the campground, you will get your rig scratched."

Site leveling: Most RV pads are relatively level. Turkey Pass provides "concrete sites with plenty of wildlife around. 20/30/50 w/water no sewer hook up but a dump site is available at the entrance."

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best campgrounds near Norman, OK?

Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park consistently ranks as a top option near Norman, offering reservable spots with electric hookups for $26 per night. Campers appreciate its quieter atmosphere, making it ideal for families. Another excellent choice is South Dam - Lake Thunderbird State Park, which earns high marks from visitors. Lake Thunderbird State Park features 11 different campground areas surrounding a 6,000-acre lake, with options for both tent and RV camping, including some full hookup sites. The park's proximity to Norman (just minutes away) makes it convenient for accessing restaurants and grocery stores.

Are there cabin camping options near Norman, Oklahoma?

While traditional cabins are limited near Norman, OK Treehouse offers a unique elevated accommodation experience in the Oklahoma City area. This private camping spot features artistic treehouse structures created by a professional artist, providing a peaceful retreat in nature. For those seeking alternative accommodations, many of the RV parks in the region offer cabin rentals, though availability varies by season. Call ahead to check current offerings, as cabin accommodations tend to book quickly, especially during summer months and holidays.

What hiking trails can I access near Norman camping areas?

Lake Thunderbird State Park offers several hiking opportunities with trails of varying difficulty levels winding through the park's natural areas. The Clear Bay Recreation Area features walking paths with lake views, while the park's south side has nature trails suitable for family hikes. For those staying at Central State Park Campground, there are additional trails just a short drive from Norman. Turkey Pass — Lake Thunderbird State Park also provides access to scenic hiking areas. Most trails in the region are moderate in difficulty and offer opportunities to observe local wildlife and native Oklahoma landscapes.

What tent camping sites are available around Norman?

Little Sandy Campground — Lake Thunderbird State Park offers tent camping sites with lake views, though be prepared for Oklahoma's characteristic red water. For a more primitive experience, Wewoka Lake provides basic tent sites along the water's edge, perfect for those seeking a more rustic camping experience. Critter Alley — Lake Thunderbird State Park is another option with basic amenities and toilets available. Most tent sites in the area are first-come, first-served, so arriving early on weekends is recommended, especially during summer months.

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