Best Equestrian Camping near Purcell, OK

We had a great stay in Lake Thunderbird State Park near Norman Oklahoma. The park has 11 campground areas situated around the 6000 acre centerpiece lake with many tent, RV sites and some of those have full hook up; our choice was the Little Ax campground on the southern end just off Oklahoma 9. In addition to water activities the park offers hunting, horse rental and boarding, equestrian trails, hiking, mountain biking, nature trails, a nature center, and an archery range. Our lakefront site#37 was nice and shaded with a gentle lake breeze offering a concrete pad, water, 30/15 amp electric, concrete table, lantern holder, fire ring and grill at site. The campground has an entry station, camp host, picnic shelters, playground, bathhouse and laundry, beach area, common fire pit, Verizon 4 bars, dump station, trash receptacles, interior roads are paved, with many sites waterfront. RV sites are close quarters. Tent sites are amazing...pads, concrete table, fire ring, grill, water spigot dispersed, waterfront sites. The town of Norman has all the amenities: shopping, dining, groceries, fuel and yes, Walmart. The area is home to local wineries and breweries and also the hometown to actor James Garner. WARNING: Oklahoma State Parks charge a daily parking fee per vehicle of$10 in addition to the camping fee and they enforce it...just saying from experience...read the information carefully! 13101 Alameda Dr, Norman, OK 73026 GPS- 35.234940,-97.219224 for the Little Ax Campground.

Primitive - $8.00

Water & Electric - $15.00 *Senior (65 and over) - $12.00

Water, Electric & Sewer - $20.00 * Senior (65 and over) - $17.00

Pavillion (cove 3) - $25.00 ($10.00 deposit)

Coon Hunter Lodge - $50.00 ($65.00 deposit)

(enclosed pavillion with small kitchen, no bunks)

Boating - One Day/$5.00

(any type of watercraft)

Boating - Yearly/$25.00

Equestrian daily rate - $3.00

Equestrian trails yearly - $30.00 (Jan 1 - Dec 31)

Monthly Camping Fees (Nov 1 - Mar 1)

$400.00 per month (water, electric service only)

$500.00 per month (full service - water, sewer, electric)

Pavillion (cove 1) - $75.00 (6:00a.m. to 10:00p.m,)

Pavillion (Cove 1) - $25.00 (up to 3 hours)

It's a small lake in Seminole County Oklahoma a couple miles from the town of Wewoka. It has a small RV campground and some primitive campsites along waters edge. It is always active with jet skiing. It has a swim beach and a few pavilions. The 4th of July festival is popular there and always a big hit. The park entrance is free. There is a small fee for launching boats kayaks are free to launch. The restroom is in the main campground which is bad if your at the swim beach or camping on a tent site because it's a long walk around the cove. The showers have only cold water. During the week there is always campsites. The lake is overcrowded on the weekends and during festivals. It's a Wednesday and not many camping today. It's also a very hot day 104 degrees.

I love a good lake side camping site, nothing better than being able to set up with a great view and the sound of the wakes rolling in with the breeze when in my tent. But what happens when your perfect setting becomes your worst nightmare?

On a recent trip to Oklahoma I got a good glimpse of just what that would be like as a slightly unexpected rain flooded this campground miserably. Driving through the RV loop waters were right up to some of the pull throughs, tables in some areas were underwater and this was the better of the camps. The tent sites were nearly all effected by the flooding because of their location and even the road was cut off and closed.

Now is this typical of the camp? No. But however this is a scary reality you must consider when choosing your site at this or any lake. I have many times experienced overnight rains unexpectedly, however usually choose a site slightly elevated from the waters, however at this camp many of the sites are level to the water and more susceptible to rising waters.

As a location as a whole, it was nice and facilities were very well maintained, but because of the issues with flooding I would not want to imagine the stress low laying campsites could hold.

Prices are reasonable, the staff was friendly and the lake was large (larger of course because of rains…lol) but all in all this has a lot of features which make for a great location.

TIPS:

• If reserving online, look carefully at the map for your site, choose something a little further back from the water, you will still have a great view but will avoid possible fear of unexpected rainfall.
• Check out the sites just up from the camp on Route 66 including POPs (a multimillion dollar retro style cafe and gas station boasting over 700 different types of soda) and the Round Barn, a staple of the original Route 66.