Fort Gibson Lake, Lake Hudson, and Oologah Lake are the primary water bodies near Pryor Creek, Oklahoma. Located in the northeastern part of the state, these camping destinations range from 700 to 800 feet in elevation with hot summers regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters. Most campsites near Pryor Creek provide water access, with many offering electric hookups that accommodate both tent and RV camping.
What to do
Disc golf at Natural Falls State Park: The park features one of the longest disc golf courses in the area, with 18 holes winding through the wooded terrain. "We loved this campground so much. Great spots with really level pads set in a beautifully treed park. Surrounded by disc golf, waterfalls, and hiking. Would totally come back over and over," writes Jennifer O. at Natural Falls State Park Campground.
Fishing at multiple skill levels: Local lakes offer diverse fishing opportunities for various species. "The river that runs along the campground is really nice. Cool clear water with lots of different fish species to be caught. My boys had a great time fishing," explains Derek M. about Spavinaw — Grand Lake State Park.
Horseback riding and golfing: Some parks provide activities beyond typical water recreation. "I enjoy the golf course and the horse back riding. The park is dated but it is a fun place to spend the weekend," mentions Tom K. about Sequoyah State Park.
Kayaking and floating: Creeks and rivers around campsites offer excellent opportunities for water exploration. "We enjoyed a nice tent camping trip, really nice camping area and enjoyable getaway," notes Hope F. "People come to fish and float in the river in the summer. It is shallow enough for kids to splash around in and have fun," adds Cheryl T.
What campers like
Rocky beaches and clear water: The waterfront areas around Pryor Creek feature distinctive rocky shorelines rather than sandy beaches. "The rocks are so pretty here. Especially by the water fall," mentions Amber R. "We loved the rocky beach and how wooded all the sites were!" explains Erin about Blue Bill Point.
Spacious campsites: Many campgrounds provide well-spaced sites that avoid overcrowding. "The sites are not too close to each other. There are 'full hook-ups,' partial, primitive, and day use. We've never encountered loud music or disrespectful neighbors," says Penny C. about Blue Bill Point.
Waterfall access: Several parks feature water features beyond the lakes. "We loved the falls, big campsites, hiking trails and 18 hole disc golf," writes Christy W. about Natural Falls State Park. Another visitor notes, "The 77 foot tall waterfall is accessible via a fairly steep hike, but there's a sidewalk that takes you to an overlook at the top."
Seasonal activities: October brings special events to some parks. "In October, they do trick or treating every weekend - which is fun!" shares Jenny about Sequoyah State Park - Marina and Cabins.
What you should know
Flooding concerns: Water levels significantly impact campsite availability. "When we visited it had recently flooded and the trails were covered," reports Tom K. "The lake was up about 10 ft according to the camp host and had been flooded most of the summer. Both boat ramps were under water and several of the sites were still flooded too," explains Ken K.
Bathroom quality varies: Facilities differ widely across campgrounds. "The bathrooms were clean, but really nothing else to write home about," notes Rachel C. about Tulsa NE-Will Rogers Downs KOA. Some locations require quarters for showers, as Katie R. mentions: "Bring quarters for the showers. Love that they do that. I'll help our park system any way I can."
Site levelness challenges: Many campers report issues with uneven campsites. "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. Another camper notes, "The site was noticeably slanted so much that we could not get level front to back."
Reservation requirements: Most Corps of Engineers campgrounds now require advance bookings. "Since COVID, reservations are required but as with all other CoE campgrounds, the fees are extremely reasonable ($20 for electric, $16 for non-electric and half-price for seniors)."
Tips for camping with families
Shallow water access: Look for campgrounds with gradual water entry for children. "My wife and I had stayed here a couple of years ago, but we didn't get a lot of time to explore the place back then. The swim beach was well kept and easily accessible with free life jacket loaners," shares Stephen R. about Hawthorn Bluff.
Playgrounds availability: Several campgrounds feature play areas for children. "We loved this campground so much. Great spots with really level pads set in a beautifully treed park. Surrounded by disc golf, waterfalls, and hiking," mentions Jennifer O.
Weekday visits recommended: For quieter family experiences, avoid peak times. "We stay at Spavinaw every June. I've been for 13 years and my husband has gone for 36. It's beautiful. A wonderful place for all ages. It fills up on the weekends over summer but still doesn't feel too crowded," advises Amber R.
Accessible options: Some campgrounds provide wheelchair-accessible features. "You can take your wheelchair on some of the trails and look at the Falls. The road is paved and each site has cement pad. So if you have a special needs person with you they can get around with no problem," explains Cheryl T.
Tips from RVers
Flat Rock Creek amenities: This Corps of Engineers campground offers solid RV facilities. "The sites are nice, fairly roomy. Sites and patio are paved, but I had to pull the camper up on to levelers," notes MJ at Flat Rock Creek.
Check hookup types: Electric service varies across campgrounds. "Our site had plenty of tree cover that kept us from seeing the bluffs; but it also provided for a cool experience looking out of the back windows of our camper, especially at night. The site included 30 amp service and water for our camper," explains Sean R.
Site selection advice: Choose your spot carefully based on your priorities. "Choctaw camping area has full hookups, nice concrete pads & concrete picnic tables. Limited amount of shade. Water access is a short distance away," advises Christine N.
RV park versus campground options: For those needing more amenities, some locations offer city-style RV parks. "Spots are level and have full hook ups. We didn't try the bathrooms or laundry rooms. It's in the middle of town so there is plenty of road and train noises, but that didn't bother us too much," shares Brittany M. about Claremore Expo RV Park.
