Equestrian camping options near Pryor Creek, Oklahoma are available within a 45-minute drive radius. The area sits at the edge of the Ozark Mountain foothills with several lakes offering shoreline access for horses. Water levels fluctuate seasonally, with summer months typically seeing higher lake levels and more accessible trails for riders.
What to do
Trail riding at Hawthorn Bluff: The hiking and equestrian trails connect to both the group camp area and park entrance, offering varied terrain for riders. "The hiking trails are nice although I have been a couple of times and had a TON of ticks but not very often. There a lot to do!" notes Jennifer D., who recommends exploring the rocky shoreline.
Fishing from shoreline: Taylor Ferry Campground provides excellent bank fishing opportunities with rocky piers. "We caught some catfish right off the rock peer. It is close to Hwy 51 but you really can't tell," reports Elizabeth B., who spotted "some old oyster mushrooms all over the place" during her stay.
Wildlife viewing: Dog Iron Ranch & Will Rogers Birthplace offers opportunities to observe farm animals and local wildlife. "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," says Jennifer D., who grew up in the area.
Scuba diving: For those interested in underwater exploration, Chicken Creek Campground provides access to Lake Tenkiller's clear waters. "Lake Tenkiller is an amazing location to scuba dive. It's waters are clear and cool from a distance of 8 to 28 feet. A diver will have the opportunity to investigate a sunken airplane fuselage, school bus, helicopter and two boats," explains reviewer N.I.
What campers like
Spacious sites: Blue Creek Campground offers generous camping areas, particularly in its group section where horses are permitted. "We had the section with sites 36-61 entirely to ourselves. Sites 1-11 are good for boaters as they are near the boat ramp," notes Lee D., who appreciated the "covered concrete pad with a large concrete picnic table, utility table, and lantern hook."
Clean facilities: Tulsa NE-Will Rogers Downs KOA maintains well-kept restrooms and shower areas. "Bathrooms were locked and secure and passcode was required to enter. Passcode was provided upon check in," mentions Renee H., who found the campground "quiet" despite its proximity to the highway.
Lake views: Many sites at Hawthorn Bluff provide direct lake access, though with elevation changes. "We had a great site on the bluff overlooking the lake. It was close to the restroom that was very clean and convenient," shares Ann L., though others note the steep drop requires caution with children.
Off-season availability: Several campgrounds in the area remain open during winter months with reduced fees. "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 we're staying," reports Elizabeth B. about Taylor Ferry, which "stays open all year."
What you should know
Limited equestrian facilities: While horses are permitted in designated areas, purpose-built facilities are minimal. "Horses are allowed in the group camping section (Sites 54-61)," confirms Lee D. about Blue Creek Campground, though no dedicated corrals are available.
Seasonal considerations: Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds operate from April through September/October. "Peak Season April 01, 2021- September 30, 2021. First-come, First-served October 01, 2021- November 30, 2021," notes a reviewer at Chicken Creek Campground.
Site conditions vary significantly: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain for camping setup. "Once arriving at the camp site, I discovered that the sites near the lake were very sloped making it a little difficult to find a flat spot to set up a tent," reports Blake B. about Hawthorn Bluff.
Water access limitations: Blue Creek offers varied shoreline access, but campers note: "We camped in a spot near the water. The lake was beautiful at sunset," says Elizabeth L., though others mention that water levels affect accessibility throughout the year.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas with safety equipment: Several lake campgrounds offer designated swim beaches with amenities for children. "The swim beach was well kept and easily accessible with free life jacket loaners," reports Stephen R. about Hawthorn Bluff, adding that they found "playground equipment in a few places for the kids."
Recreation center access: Some campgrounds provide additional amenities nearby. "Access to the Expo rec center is nice and our kids had a lot of fun in the pool. The really enjoyed the climbing wall and diving board!" shares Lisa H. about Claremore Expo RV Park.
Educational opportunities: Historical sites near camping areas offer learning experiences. "You can tour the birthplace for free, there's an old barn to explore, you can go hiking, there's horse trails as well," notes Jennifer D. about Dog Iron Ranch & Will Rogers Birthplace, located near Oologah lake.
Quiet campground sections: For families seeking more seclusion, certain campground areas offer more privacy. "The sections without electricity have vault toilets, which were clean, but the flush toilets/showers are within a reasonable walking distance," explains Lee D. about Blue Creek's various camping sections.
Tips from RVers
Hookup availability: Most equestrian-friendly campgrounds offer limited hookups. "Only seven 50 amp spots and no sewer sites but the campground is great," reports Mark J. about Chicken Creek, while at Taylor Ferry, "The campground is great except no sewer connections."
Leveling challenges: Some lakeside sites require additional equipment for proper RV setup. "The site was slanted so much that we could not get level front to back. We moved a couple of times and tried all combination of stacking lumber under the tongue jack," notes Ron K. about site #31 at Hawthorn Bluff.
Water supply planning: Several campgrounds have water access points rather than individual hookups. "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," advises Sherly C., who camped at Hawthorn Bluff.
Gate restrictions: Some campgrounds limit overnight access. "Gates going in locked at 10:00 p.m. and open at 6:00 a.m.," mentions Mark J. about Chicken Creek, an important consideration for those planning late arrivals or early departures.
