Arcadia Lake sits just 15 miles northeast of Oklahoma City at approximately 1,060 feet elevation with an average summer temperature of 93°F. The Oklahoma City area camping options span from state parks with lake access to privately-owned RV parks with concrete pads and full hookups. Most campgrounds remain open year-round despite occasional winter weather events.
What to do
Lakeside activities: At Arcadia Lake, visitors can enjoy fishing, swimming, and hiking trails near the water's edge. "Lake activities and hiking are available. While it's close to the city, it feels far away," notes Angela H. who camps here regularly with family.
Swimming options: Multiple campgrounds offer swimming facilities. At Twin Fountains RV Park, guests can use the pool, hot tub and splash pad. "The pool was closed during our March visit. Miniature Golf was cool but looked like it needed to have a spring cleaning," explains Henry R., highlighting seasonal considerations.
Wildlife watching: Several campgrounds provide opportunities to observe local fauna. Rockwell RV Park maintains a small buffalo enclosure on property. "The kids loved feeding all the deer. Great clean park!" shares Rachael V. about her experience at Scissortail Campground.
Miniature golf: Some campgrounds include recreational facilities beyond standard amenities. Twin Fountains RV Park features a miniature golf course, though reviews indicate maintenance varies by season. "The grounds are meticulously landscaped with a pool, hot tub, game room, library, laundry and restaurant," according to Debbie S.
What campers like
Convenient location: Oklahoma City East KOA receives praise for its proximity to city attractions. "Approximately 20-30 minutes from OKC zoo & science museum," writes Rachel P. who stayed with her family. This accessibility makes these campgrounds popular for weekend getaways or longer stops.
Clean facilities: Many campers prioritize cleanliness when selecting dog friendly campgrounds near Oklahoma City. "Bath house is second to none. Members of our group rave about how clean and well kept the entire campground is," states Jacquelyn L. about Oklahoma City East KOA.
Paved sites: Roadrunner RV Park features level, paved sites appealing to travelers with larger rigs. "All the sites are paved and level with grass and the occasional tree in between them. Super friendly and helpful staff!" reports Mandy B., highlighting features important for ease of setup.
Storm shelters: Oklahoma weather can change quickly, and several campgrounds provide storm protection. "They have storm shelters on site," notes Amy D. about Oklahoma City East KOA, while another reviewer mentions similar facilities at Roadrunner RV Park, an important safety feature during tornado season.
What you should know
Water quality concerns: Some campgrounds experience issues with water clarity. At Oklahoma City East KOA, one camper reported: "Water was brown, but we have a Berkey filter, so it wasn't a problem for us. Use your inline filters here!" This insight from Tashi K. suggests bringing water filtration equipment.
Pet policies: While most Oklahoma City campgrounds welcome dogs, policies vary. "There is a large dog park, nicely shaded" mentions a reviewer about Twin Fountains, while others note designated pet areas at various locations. Some campgrounds charge pet fees while others include pets at no extra cost.
Bathroom availability: Facilities differ significantly between parks. "Only about 10 shower/bathroom combos for an entire campground. Long waits and not cleaned," Hannah S. cautions about Oklahoma City East KOA during busy periods.
Seasonal operations: Central State Park Campground and other locations have seasonal limitations. Swimming areas typically open Memorial Day through Labor Day, and some facilities reduce hours during winter months.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Several pet-friendly campgrounds near Oklahoma City offer family-focused amenities. "Nice playground and great swimming pool. They have a small store on site for souvenirs, camping items and also food items," Amy D. shares about Oklahoma City East KOA.
Cabin options: For families without camping equipment, cabins provide comfortable alternatives. "We booked a tent site for car camping but heavy rain made that area muddy so we upgraded to a cabin with half bath. Cabin was small but clean and ideal for our needs. Nice porch with a swing," reports Barkley K. about their stay at Oklahoma City East KOA.
Lake access: Little Axe Campground at Lake Thunderbird offers family-friendly water features. "There is a designated swimming area in the campgrounds. Beautiful, wooded park with large lake that has a section for watersports and fishing," explains Noelle H., noting the versatility of lake activities.
Wildlife encounters: Children often enjoy animal sightings at campgrounds. "We have taken our family to Arcadia many times to camp. While it's close to the city, it feels far away," shares Angela H., whose family regularly visits Arcadia Lake.
Tips from RVers
Site selection: RVers recommend specific areas within campgrounds for better experiences. "We stayed in a back in site right on the water. We looked at some other areas where you were so far from the water you wouldn't even know you were at a lake," advises Jil S. about Little Axe Campground.
Parking challenges: Some campgrounds present access difficulties. "Very big rig and dog friendly, lots of grass, open areas and picnic tables," notes Elizabeth S. about Rockwell RV Park, while another reviewer cautions about a "dangerous turn across three lanes of traffic" to access Roadrunner RV Park when approaching from certain directions.
Hookup positioning: Experienced RVers highlight practical issues with campsite layouts. "Some sites 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," Daniel L. advises about Roadrunner RV Park, information particularly useful for travelers with larger setups.
Weather preparations: Oklahoma camping requires weather awareness. "During an extended power outage during inclement weather, they made sure we had a heat source," shares Jacquelyn L. about Oklahoma City East KOA, emphasizing the importance of preparation for seasonal weather conditions.
