The Dyrt – find campgrounds for tents, RVs, cabins, glamping and more.
Open in App

Best Tent Camping near Seminole, OK

193 Reviews
CAMPER SUMMARY PRESENTED BYFord

Tent camping near Seminole, Oklahoma centers around several lake-based campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Romulus Lake offers walk-in tent sites with a 5-star rating, providing a more secluded camping experience for tent-only visitors. River Run features dedicated tent camping areas with walk-in and hike-in access options, while Shawnee Twin Lakes provides tent campsites in a wooded setting approximately 25 miles north of Seminole. Lake McAlester, located southeast of Seminole, offers basic tent camping facilities in a natural lakeside environment.

Most tent campgrounds in the Seminole area provide basic amenities suited for primitive tent camping experiences. Romulus Lake features drinking water, electric hookups, and allows fires with firewood available on site. Shawnee Twin Lakes offers fire pits, picnic tables, and toilet facilities, though campers should note a recent review indicated the designated campground may be closed with camping shifted to the boat ramp area. Tent campers should bring their own drinking water at several locations, as potable water is not universally available. Summer temperatures can reach into the 90s, making shaded tent sites valuable during peak season.

The tent camping experience around Seminole is characterized by water-based recreation opportunities. According to reviews, Romulus Lake is "great for canoeing or kayaking," making it ideal for tent campers seeking water activities. At Shawnee Twin Lakes, one camper noted, "Beautiful sunset views and nice, spacious, clean campsites all with fire pits with attached grill! The price per site/night allows for two tents on one site." Fishing is a popular activity, with bass fishing particularly good at several lakes. Okmulgee State Park, though farther from Seminole, offers a more secluded backcountry tent camping experience with "many shade trees for campers," according to visitor Mike B. Most tent campgrounds in the area feature wooded surroundings providing natural settings and moderate privacy between sites.

Map showing campgrounds near Seminole, OklahomaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Seminole, Oklahoma (7)

Show More
Showing results 1-7 of 7 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Seminole Contest

Enter to Win

Tent Camping Reviews near Seminole, OK

193 Reviews of 7 Seminole Campgrounds

  • William A.
    Dec. 16, 2019

    Lake Stanley Draper

    Primitive but cheap

    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.

  • M
    May. 18, 2025

    Critter Alley — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Good spot!

    Good little areas. A good amount of space. Not enough if you’re wanting privacy as other camp set ups are close. Some tent sites are handicapped accessible. However some are a steep walk to get down to. Not all, but some have a rocky steep path. Every tent area has a fire pit or some kind and a picnic table which is neat.

  • Melanie W.
    Sep. 30, 2020

    Stroud Municipal Lake

    Small and quite

    It is a nice little campground that has R.V. camping and tent camping. We like camping here because the campsite is next to the shore. There are some nice camping spots under shade trees. When you want to cool off you can just walk from your campsite to the water and get in and cool off. However don't wear white when you go swimming because after you go swimming white cloths turn orange. It does have a swim beach but we like to swim privately at camp. The fishing is pretty good. There is a playground and restrooms with showers. They only have about 25 campsites that are 1st come 1st serve. Getting a campsite near holidays like the 4th of July is almost impossible unless you go days early to get a spot. The campsites have picnic tables, grills and a fire ring. They also have trails for riding horses. Camping with electric is $18.00 Senior citizens (55 and up) and disabled citizens is $15.00 Primitive camping is$8.00

  • Stephen & Theresa B.
    Jun. 21, 2021

    Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Great State Park in Oklahoma

    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.

  • J
    Jun. 8, 2020

    Bell Cow Lake Campground C

    Nice hidden gem

    Had friends come to town with an RV and we decided to do a last minute camp out.

    After finding out all of the RV and tent camping areas around OKC were at capacity we gave Bell Cow Lake a shot and we were not disappointed. We stayed in Camp Area B, Friday night there were a handful of RV spots still available and we were the only tent campers. Saturday a few more tent campers arrived but there was still open sites between us. 

    Our friends in the RV stayed in RV site 1 and we stayed directly across from them in tent site 3. There was some small trash, cigarette butts and such around the site, cans in the fire ring adjacent to us (site 2) but over all it was a nice spot with ample room to put tents. 

    The tent area is on the water with water access through the grass along the shoreline. Swimming was great with a sand bottom once you got past the grass along the shoreline. There were tons of fish hitting the surface in the evening but I was unable to catch any. Each tent site had a table but it either had a fire ring or a grille (alternating) it would have been preferable if each site had both. 

    The bathrooms weren't the cleanest but were what I would probably expect for a camp ground owned by a smaller city. 

    Bell Cow lake may become one of our go to places as it is still within an easy drive from OKC and half the price of the next closest lake to camp at (Lake Arcadia).

    Tent camping is $10 a night, RV is $20. 

    One of the only things we did not like was with the campsite being 2 miles from I-44 you could hear the highway traffic all night and there was not fire wood available to gather or purchase (perhaps in town) so though it is generally frowned upon to bring your own you won't have a fire otherwise.

  • Laura P.
    Nov. 18, 2017

    Hog Creek West — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Great overnight tent stay

    A little slopey, no big rocks. Picnic table, fire pit, lantern holder, near the lake. Enjoyed our stay, wasn't too crowded and great weather helped. Lots of wildlife at night

  • Brian B.
    Jun. 13, 2020

    Lake Stanley Draper

    Nice day trip

    Lake Stanley Draper doesn't offer much when it comes to camping but it's a nice little day trip if you live in the OKC Metro and don't have time to get out of town. Camping is limited to primitive spots at the ATV park -- no water, no electric, no bathrooms ... just a couple of porta-potties. Rumor has it they're planning to put in some more modern spots by the water but there's nothing definitive. I was told by staff that day camping is allowed on the southwest "beach" by the dam. Draper has had a sketchy reputation for decades but the City of OKC is doing a great job of making this a great family day trip destination. Recently a bike/jog path was installed around the lake. 14 miles of paved and maintained trail for cyclists, runners, and walkers. You can tell how popular it is by all the vehicles in the parking lots at 7am! The marina has been recently remodeled and is bright and clean. Unfortunately, the grill that produced greasy cheeseburgers 40 years ago is no longer there but they have plans to add other options in the near future. Of course the main reason we go is for the kayaking. At 7 in the morning the lake is ours. We launch from a cove next to the marina parking lot near the boat ramps. Easy in and out. Jet Skis / SeaDoos, tubing, skiers, etc are usually at the south end. Most of the fishing seems to be on the north end. In addition, there are about a half-dozen fishing docks scattered around the lake. Draper isn't the most picturesque lake but there are enough trees and it's far enough away from any highways to let you relax and pretend you're more than 20 minutes from the house.

  • Melanie W.
    Aug. 4, 2016

    Wewoka Lake

    Ok for a small lake

    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.

  • Abby M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 24, 2020

    Hog Creek West — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Worked for the night in a pinch

    Was passing through the area and needed a place to land since I couldn’t find any BLM out this way. I paid $16 for a tent site at Hog campground, which had a fire ring and picnic table. Pulled in at night so it took me a while to find it but all tables note the campsite which helped. Bathrooms were meh, but worked. Didn’t use the showers but they aren’t free. They are quarter showers. Clean site and felt safe. Had 2 bars of LTE AT&T service.

Guide to Seminole

Tent camping near Seminole, Oklahoma focuses on lakeside recreation in the Great Plains region. Located about 60 miles east of Oklahoma City, the area features multiple reservoirs and lakes with water levels that fluctuate seasonally. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, while spring camping brings potential thunderstorms and rain that can affect trail and campsite conditions.

What to do

Fishing access: Lake McAlester offers basic tent camping with good fishing opportunities. Camper Trevor V. noted, "Been here 2 days and see how someone isn't hurt or dying like they wished," suggesting the area has challenging but rewarding fishing spots.

Trail exploration: River Run RV Park and Cabins features 3 miles of trails across 80 acres, providing tent campers with hiking options. Ashley F. reported, "River access less than a quarter mile away. UTV trails abound. Close to amenities but plenty of nature to explore."

Bass fishing: Shawnee Twin Lakes offers productive fishing waters approximately 25 miles north of Seminole. James D. shared his experience: "Great bass fishing here! The dams were cool to see. It was easy to walk in and get a permit for camping and fishing. I had the best luck for bass in a little inlet near McCloud Rd."

What campers like

Sunset views: The tent camping areas at Shawnee Twin Lakes provide scenic evening vistas. Lisa P. commented, "Beautiful sunset views and nice, spacious, clean campsites all with fire pits with attached grill! The price per site/night allows for two tents on one site!"

Lake activities: Romulus Lake offers tent-only sites with non-motorized water sports access. Tristan F. stated simply: "Great camping, lake is great for canoeing or kayaking."

Boat launch convenience: Some tent campers appreciate the accessibility of boat ramp camping areas. Nancy B. reported about Shawnee Twin Lakes: "The designated campground is now closed to camping. We ended up staying at the boat ramp."

What you should know

Campground closures: Recent changes have affected some tent camping locations in the area. Check current status before arrival, as Nancy B. noted at Shawnee Twin Lakes: "The designated campground is now closed to camping."

Limited facilities: Most tent camping in the Seminole area offers minimal amenities. Julie H. described Shawnee Twin Lakes: "We did fine tent camping but nothing for electric hook ups. The swimming areas were nice and it was perfect for our boat!!"

Water quality concerns: Meeker Lake, located north of Seminole, has reported water quality issues. Matt N. shared: "I went seadooing on this small body of water. Choppy and dirty."

Tips for camping with families

Playground access: When tent camping with children around Seminole, seek campgrounds with play areas. James D. mentioned about Shawnee Twin Lakes: "There is a playground and picnic pavilion which would be good for families."

Nature activities: Create scavenger hunts around wooded tent sites. Zahru A. described exploration possibilities at Shawnee Twin Lakes: "We walked and seen some trails ended up spending most of the trip on land. As we were exploring the area my wife got bit or came across some ivy."

Swimming options: Okmulgee & Dripping State Park Campground, though farther from Seminole, offers family-friendly water access. Mike B. noted: "There are many shade trees for campers and any water related activities can be had at the park. A great quiet getaway (except for some weekends) for fishing and relaxing."

Tips from RVers

Rooftop tent restrictions: North Sentinel — Lake Thunderbird State Park enforces specific tent rules. That_Other_Grace warns: "Don't bring your rooftop tents here. They will call the cops on you in the middle of the night and make you leave. Also don't expect to use your fire pit without cleaning weeks worth of trash out of it."

Site preparation needs: Tent campers should inspect and clean sites before setting up. That_Other_Grace at North Sentinel noted issues with "condom wrappers and dirty diapers on the floor" in facilities.

Primitive camping considerations: When tent camping near Seminole, prepare for limited amenities. Mike B. described Okmulgee & Dripping State Park: "The bathroom facilities are outdated and in need of renovation but they are functional."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Seminole, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Seminole, OK is Romulus Lake with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Seminole, OK?

TheDyrt.com has all 7 tent camping locations near Seminole, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.

Keep Exploring

  2. View all Oklahoma cities for camping