Lake Murray State Park provides premium glamping accommodations in several locations near Overbrook, Oklahoma. The park's shoreline campgrounds offer varying levels of privacy, with some sites set back in quiet wooded coves and others positioned directly on the water. During winter months, visitation drops significantly, creating more secluded camping experiences, while summer brings higher occupancy rates and busier facilities, particularly at lakefront sites.
What to do
Hiking the Buckhorn trail: The trail starts right in Tipps Point Campground and connects to other recreation areas. One camper noted, "The Buckhorn trailhead is right in the campground, so easy access to hiking. Trails are well marked and not too difficult."
Kayaking in clear water: Launch from quieter areas early morning to avoid crowds at Buzzards Roost Campground. A visitor shared, "On Sunday we got up with the sun and beat everyone else to the boat launch area. The water and surroundings were beautiful and even for a busy holiday weekend it didn't feel too busy or crowded."
Geocaching and exploring: The park offers multiple outdoor activities beyond water recreation. According to a regular visitor at Elephant Rock, "So much to do, hike fish, golf, geocaching and more."
Visit Ardmore: Take a day trip to explore the nearby town. A Buzzards Roost camper reported, "We visited Ardmore for a day. Wandered around town and the shops. Another day we visited the tower and enjoyed the clear water on a jet ski and Kayaks."
What campers like
Clear blue-green water: Unlike many Oklahoma lakes with reddish water, Lake Murray stands out. A camper at Buzzards Roost Campground described, "Oklahoma is often known for its red/brown lakes, but Lake Murray is an exception. Green/blue waters that were clear enough to see the tip of my paddle when stuck straight down 4-5 feet."
Well-maintained facilities: The park keeps amenities clean and functioning. One visitor to Marietta Landing mentioned, "Recently remodeled, the campsites in the RV loop are all pretty spacious, level, and paved."
Wildlife viewing: Early morning and evening hours provide opportunities to spot local fauna. A camper reported, "Seen some deer after we got rained out and spent a whole day in the tent with the family."
Fishing opportunities: Many sites offer direct lake access for anglers. A camper at Tipps Point commented, "The sites where we were at are a bit close together. It definitely would have been better to be further on the peninsula or at Cedar Cove or Elephant Rock. But access to water was close. Lake Murray is one of the more clear lakes in Oklahoma."
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Popular sites fill quickly, especially in summer and on weekends. A camper at Elephant Rock Campground advised, "They have only a few spots available to reserve and those need to be booked well in advance. Its VERY busy in the summer, but if you can arrive Thursday or early Friday, you shouldn't have a problem."
Site selection considerations: Site locations vary widely in privacy and water access. A visitor noted, "We really love coming to Elephant Rock. It has great options - some spots are secluded in the trees and some are open in the middle areas if you want to be around people."
Water hookup logistics: Some sites require extra equipment. A camper mentioned, "We had a great view of the lake, however we didn't realize we would need 50 feet of hose just to hook up to the water."
Boat parking etiquette: Waterfront views can be obstructed by improperly parked boats. One visitor complained, "When we pulled up, someone had parked their fishing boat and pontoon boat right in front of our site at the shore. They could have moved it to the left or right between sites but no, picked right in front of ours."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Marietta Landing Campground offers play facilities without heavy boat traffic. A camper observed, "There is no swimming area but there is a playground it is on a very very quiet cove where you can kick back on the rocky shores and pull a kayak or small water craft up near campsites."
Educational opportunities: Visit Tucker Tower nature center for family learning. A visitor recommended, "So many trails, sites on the lake, playgrounds, marina, beautiful lake! If you come here don't miss out on Tucker's Tower! Tucker's tower is a nature center/museum inside lake Murray state park."
Clean bathroom facilities: Comfort stations are well-maintained throughout the park. A tent camper at Tipps Point shared, "The bathrooms and showers were awesome. Good sized areas for tents. Swimming area was fun and easily accessible."
Open play areas: Some sites offer more space for children. A visitor to Martins Landing mentioned, "Tons of space for grass games and kids to run free."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Come prepared with leveling equipment at Buckhorn Campground. A visitor warned, "Just beware if you are camping in an RV, the site is VERY unlevel! We were in a pop up camper and had one tire up off the ground at least 6 inches with our Baleveler."
Power reliability: Some areas experience occasional electrical issues. One camper reported, "Our electric did short out on us a few times causing us to need to unplug and plug back in. It didn't concern us too much, we understood it comes with territory when using these heavily used hook ups."
Dump station access: Some areas have challenging exit routes from the facilities. A camper noted, "Dump station at the campground is easy access, however the exit up the somewhat eroded gravel hill may require some maneuvering for larger rigs."
Site configurations: For those seeking more privacy, back-in sites often provide better separation from roads. One camper advised, "I felt like I was camped on the side of a road. If I were to return, I would chose a site in the area with back in camping. Although these sites aren't on the water and are closer together, they are at least set off of the road and would be quieter."
