Best Tent Camping near Purcell, OK

Of the campgrounds around the water, this one is perhaps one of the more busy. When visiting we noted numerous boat trailers just waiting for their owners to return to them. Despite it being so busy it was pretty quiet as a whole. Lots of trees around this location make for plenty of shade during warmer months and sites are large enough to easily accommodate rigs of all sizes or tent campers.

Sites are well priced at $14 which wasn't bad considering how the campground was set up. Despite it being a primitive camp and only having vault toilets it was surprisingly comfortable feeling and does have water spigots around. It is also one of the smaller campgrounds at the Lake of the Arbuckles so during summer it can fill up quickly.

The site I checked out here had a picnic table and fire ring and was fairly even. There was a nice grassy pad which was ideal for tent camping like I enjoy.

I lot of people, as I mentioned before, take advantage of the lake from this campsite area so it is pretty noisy during the day at some of the sites and getting in the water can be a bit hard when its super busy because the boats really kick up the waves and there is no designated swimming area, however a bit further away it wasn't to bad. Nighttime, pretty quiet.

TIPS:

• These sites are not reservable so it is first come first serve. Arrive early during busy times of year to ensure your space.

• If you have a boat, make sure your registrations are cleared by the State of Oklahoma before entering the water, this site is a very active site for game wardens to inspect so if you are hauling anything which does not fit guidelines to the water, you might want to reconsider doing so here.

We visited Rock Creek on a Girl Scout family camp outing. The area is nice--lots of tree cover, which is essential in OK's hot summers and early falls. You are able to scavenge your own firewood and kindling; however, there are places in town to purchase.

The restrooms are clean, and the campgrounds are mostly clean. Leave no trace, y'all! Pack in, pack out! There are extremely convenient trash and recycling bins throughout the area and campgrounds. This is probably an issue because the area is large, with a lot of traffic, and not enough rangers (read: babysitters) to clean up after all the bodies coming in and out.

Rock Creek isn't as close to Little Niagara and the Travertine Nature Center as Cold Springs, but it's a short drive or a couple miles' walk. The springs do not disappoint. They are refreshingly cool and perfect to play in when walking on the trails. The spring on the Antelope Springs trail is drinkable. The kids filled up their water bottles where the water was coming out of the rock.

We saw some wildlife--deer, turkey, and owls.

There are other multi-use trails, such as biking, off Rock Creek and through other campgrounds, though we didn't get to check them out.

Don't forget: kids can take part in the FREE Junior Ranger program through the Travertine Center. Upon completion of a super easy and informative booklet, kiddos are sworn in as junior ranger and receive a patch and a badge. Pretty sweet deal, if ya ask me.

Noteworthy: Originally, we had reserved a group spot in Cold Springs, but I made the mistake of thinking it included two campsites in a loop when it only included one. Pay attention to that one, folks. The person on the awesome group campsite that I thought we had reserved made the same mistake. The reservation will list the loop, including the campsites in the loop. That doesn't mean you get all the sites.

Options to pay are online through recreation.gov or at the onsite kiosks. Convenient!

All in all, though it is a popular spot in OK, it's beautiful and cost effective. We will return as scouting groups and weekend family getaways. Though, I will be more careful regarding site selection.

My first impression of this campground was a little fear.... but let me explain....

When I pulled into this campground it looked like a festival had set up shop right inside the gate with dozens of tents in a clearing. It was a little overwhelming and I was afraid that with the closure of one of the local camps, I felt the overflow had come mostly to this camp and that it was not going to have an ounce of privacy.

But... turns out that it was just a Boy Scout group in the group camp which is positioned right inside the gate. So my fear of overcrowding subsided and as I traveled a bit deeper into camp I noticed it wasn't to bad, in fact there were tons of places because this campground has over 100 sites, spread over several loops. This gave me not only a great confidence that I could find something perfect, but also something removed from the sounds of the populated group camp and enjoy a little time away from it all.

Sites at this camp vary, there are both pull through and back in sites. The strange however, was that online on Receation.gov (where you typically book any sites located on government lands) this campground is known only to be a "group camp". However clearly there are individual sites, and you can access these through the kiosk just inside camp.

The site I selected had a strange configuration for parking, you park beside the spot, but in a large truck it seemed to be a bit in the way of the road, in my car it would have by far been a bit better fit. I was positioned on a corner which meant I had a lot of space and my campsite had both a picnic table and fire ring with attached grill in addition to the lantern post. Overall minus the parking the site was pretty ideal with big shade trees and a pretty even place to set up a tent.

I did notice around camp not all sites are created equally, while my site had a nice even space not he table top some of the sites still were utilizing the older tables which were warped from weather.

TIPS:

• If you aren't a group wait til you get here to select a site because online there doesn't seem to be a good reservation system for regular campers.

• If you are a rig which uses solar, the sites on the furthest loops might be a better fit, the first loop of camp is pretty tree covered.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area- Buckhorn Area Oklahoma. 

Site 36 Loop B 

Continuing our late spring journey west…we ventured to Chickasaw NRA. 

Stopping in at the beautiful Visitor’s Center at the edge of town, those that assisted us at the information were extremely gracious and helpful, having never visited before. Taking their advice we travelled 7.5 miles south on Rt 177 and turned west on Buckhorn until arriving at the Buckhorn Area campground loops off to the south. 

Anxious to get out of the car, we settled too quickly on Site 36 Loop B before surveying the three other Loops. There are some really nice and spacious sites out there…especially on C and D. Site 36 Loop B is located amidst six other sites in an open area on Lake of the Arbuckles. Upon setting up camp, we were the solitary campers in Loop B(Tuesday night mid-June) other than the host. 

Later, another family arrived choosing a nearby lakefront site. It should be noted that this is a busy lake. Powerboats raced from end to end like today was their last day on earth and their choice of blaring music may not be to your liking. So it is not always quiet and tranquil. Pretty popular with the fishermen as well. I witnessed a lot of fishing but not a lot of catching. Once the power boaters, personal watercraft and tubers call it a night, lake of the Arbuckles is supremely tranquil. 

The lake was as warm as bath water on June 15th, which was surprising…days were 90’s with nights in the 70’s and cloudless skies. 

Personally, I would choose a more shaded site if we were to spend more than one night. Each Loop B site had a level gravel horseshoe shaped pad. Tents must be within that area. 

• Each site has a grated fire ring, a lantern pole and a movable picnic table. Tent sites were clearly marked. 

• Numerous lakefront sites are in a cleared area below the shower house/restrooms and Check-In kiosk…each are visible from the other we no understory or foliage to provide privacy. Those nestled in the woods along the outside perimeter offer much more privacy.

• Water spigots are sporadically spaced for easy access in the“primitive” loops.

• Electric/water sites obviously offer those amenities are a bit deeper, more spacious and some have two parking spots. Most of those on Loop D were taken.

• The loops are separated substantially so that other campers are not seen nor heard from loop to loop. Surprisingly, I could not even locate trails that led from loop to loop.

• Shower-house/restrooms were very clean and well stocked. Loop B had one shower for the entire loop in both men’s and women’s restrooms…as well as one family shower between the two. On our visit the electrical outlets were not working in the restrooms. Facilities are modern and showers are warm and on a push button timer to conserve water.(men’s-2 sinks/2-stalls, 1-standup, 1-shower)

• Milton, Our Loop B host, was a pleasant gentleman that was a full time RVer and very knowledgeable of the area.

• The Check-In Kiosk(located in each loop) was an easy, painless affair IF you have a credit card.

• Multi-use trails are aplenty in various parts of the NRA. Some lead you by bison, others to waterfalls, and some simply through serene forest. The terrain is undulating so be prepared…especially by bicycle.

• Traveling north on 177 there is a Bison Viewpoint trail, and if the bison cooperate you’ll be rewarded.

• Several springs and 1930’s CCC built dams exist creating small waterfalls and refreshing swimming holes on many. There are some springs that are posted“no swimming.” The Travertine Nature Center is also worth a visit providing numerous wildlife dioramas and several live exhibits. NP Rangers possess great knowledge and eager to answer any park questions.

• Dump station turnoff is 9/10 and 7/10 of a mile from thr campground entrances Primitive campgrounds also exist near the numerous falls and Travertine River closer to the city of Sulphur. Campsites appeared close to the park roadway as we traveled toward the Nature Center.

• All in all, a wonderful park that needs several days to fully explore.

This was the first time we camped in Loop C, which is reserve only. It was in January, so the Loop was about 1/3rd full with mostly RVs. Loop D, first come, first serve, had less campers. RV sites have water & electric & tent sites have shared water. The restrooms were very nice, clean and heated. We stayed at site 81C, which was a challenge to back into because of trees that were close to drive. The pad was fairly level & the picnic table/fire pit pad was separated from the RV pad. I could only imagine how secluded this site would feel with vegetation on the trees. This loop also had many tent sites and all the tent & RV sites are well sized & spaced. Some RV sites closer to the water look like they would be a challenge to level, but most sites have fairly level pads & all sites have very level picnic/fire pit pads for an area that has some generally steep slopes. There was only one lake view RV site in Loop C, 56C, that had the hookups on the side that pointed the front door towards the lake, but all had a gorgeous view from the picnic/fire pit pads. Absolutely love the Chickasaw National Recreational Area because of the many activities this park offers & its history.

the Campground at Lake Stanley Draper is Primitive.  There are no Electric or water at the campground and no dump stations.  They have started to clean the campground up by removing old brush and adding new tent pads, The only restrooms are 2 Porta-Potties at the campground so be prepared for no showers or running water.  Also there are no campfire rings provided and if you want a fire you must bring your own and it must be atleast 4 inches off the ground.  If you visit you must get a permit from the Marina office and call ahead to make sure they are open.  Because this is not on the water of the lake, you will need to drive to fish or boat.  there is alot of road noise so if you are looking for a quite place this may no fit your needs.