Camping opportunities near Oologah, Oklahoma encompass shoreline sites at the 29,000-acre Oologah Lake and nearby facilities. The lake features approximately 209 miles of shoreline with elevation levels typically ranging from 638 to 661 feet above sea level. Summer temperatures average 85-95°F with humidity levels frequently exceeding 70 percent, creating conditions that campers should prepare for with adequate water supplies and cooling options.
What to do
Fishing at multiple access points: Taylor Ferry Campground provides reliable fishing opportunities with dedicated piers. "Great place to camp and boat. Good fishing spots as well," notes one visitor. The campground remains open much of the year and offers both shoreline and boat fishing access.
Horseback riding on designated trails: While equestrian facilities are limited, Blue Creek campground connects to equestrian trails. According to one camper, "hiking/equestrian trails can be accessed from the group camp or park entrance." The trails wind through wooded areas with moderate elevation changes.
Swimming at designated beaches: Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park at Keystone Lake offers swimming facilities with unique features. One visitor mentioned, "Fun for all ages especially kids. The camping includes the floating inflatables, paddle boards, kayaks, air-conditioned outdoor pool with water slides and splash pad."
Historical exploration: Dog Iron Ranch & Will Rogers Birthplace provides cultural activities near equestrian camping options. A reviewer explains, "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."
What campers like
Lake views from elevated sites: Hawthorn Bluff offers distinctive shoreline positioning. A camper notes, "We had a great site on the bluff overlooking the lake. It was close to the restroom that was very clean and convenient." The elevated position creates cooling breezes during summer months.
Quiet weekday camping: Many Oologah area campgrounds experience different occupancy patterns throughout the week. One reviewer at Blue Creek observed, "On a weekday in early May, the section with electric was full but we had the section with sites 36-61 entirely to ourselves." Weekday camping typically means easier reservations and more privacy.
Spacious multi-use sites: Sheppard Point provides adaptable camping areas. "Each campsite has a fire ring, picnic table, and charcoal grill which is nice," reports one visitor. Sites throughout the region typically measure 30-50 feet in length with variable widths depending on vegetation.
Sandy beaches for swimming: Several lake campgrounds feature natural swimming areas with sand bottoms. A visitor to Sheppard Point observed, "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."
What you should know
Water hookup availability varies: Inconsistent water connections exist across campgrounds. At Hawthorn Bluff, one camper noted, "The only downside is that they don't have water hookups at the sites. You can connect your hose to the nearest spigot but you better hope it's long enough." Extra hose lengths of 50-100 feet prove useful.
Site leveling challenges: Terrain throughout the region can create uneven camping surfaces. At Sheppard Point, one RVer 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." Bringing additional leveling blocks helps mitigate this issue.
Seasonal facility closures: Many campgrounds reduce services during off-peak months. According to a Taylor Ferry visitor, "We were told that the lake would be low for the next two years for reconstruction of the dam. Because of the low water you can walk very far into the water from where we were staying. The north side we were on will close for the winter soon."
Weather considerations: Blue Creek experiences significant seasonal variations. A camper mentioned, "Stayed here in mid October-- RV side of campground was full but I was the only person on the tent side. Spot was nice, altho folks before me had left some trash around-- fire pit was still hot." Fall camping typically brings temperatures ranging from 40-75°F.
Tips for camping with families
Beach selection for safety: Different swimming areas offer varying features for children. A visitor to Jellystone Park noted, "The pool and slides are really nice and great for kids of all ages. My toddler loved the slides." Look for beaches with gradual entry points rather than sudden drop-offs.
Playground availability: Recreation facilities vary widely between campgrounds. At Hawthorn Bluff, a family camper shared, "The grounds were well kept, clean and spacious. They offer fishing docks, boat launches, plenty of bank to fish from as well as small playground equipment in a few places for the kids."
Campsite spacing for play areas: Sites with adequate buffer zones provide better family experiences. A Hawthorn Bluff visitor reported, "The site that we had was more than enough room for 4 adults, 3 kids and a dog. We had 2 cars, two tents, a canopy and the dog on a tie out leash and still had plenty of room for the kids to play."
Life jacket access: Taylor Ferry Campground and other area facilities may provide safety equipment. One family mentioned at a nearby beach, "The swim beach was well kept and easily accessible with free life jacket loaners." Children under 12 must wear life jackets when on docks or near water at most facilities.
Tips from RVers
Electrical consistency issues: Power supply quality varies between campgrounds. At Sheppard Point, one RVer reported, "The power pedestal, from the 120v 20amp receptacle, is putting out 134v. The neighboring spot's pedestal is putting out 103v." Surge protectors become essential equipment.
Dump station availability: Claremore Expo RV Park and similar facilities provide differing waste disposal options. "Spots are level and have full hook ups. We didn't try the bathrooms or laundry rooms and stayed only 3 nights. It's in the middle of town so there is plenty of road and train noises, but that didn't bother us too much."
Site length considerations: Several campgrounds accommodate various RV sizes but with limitations. A camper at Hawthorn Bluff noted, "We were in site #31 with is right across from the fishing dock and close to a potable water source. The Campground is very shaded and the spot was large and easy to back in to with our 33' TT." Most sites in the region accommodate units up to 35 feet, with select areas handling larger rigs.
Water filtration needs: Water quality can be inconsistent around Oologah Lake. A Taylor Ferry camper advised, "I do advise having a water filter system on your rig we Will totally be returning anytime of year because this COE stays open all year." Sediment filters rated at 5 microns or finer work best for the local water supply.
