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Best Campgrounds near Shawnee, OK

357 Reviews

Camping options near Shawnee, Oklahoma range from established RV parks to lakeside tent camping areas. The Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center provides tent, RV and cabin accommodations within city limits, while Shawnee Twin Lakes offers more primitive camping with basic amenities. Happy Acres RV Park features 62 sites with full hookups for both tent and RV campers. Several campgrounds in the area provide water access, with Lake Thunderbird State Park's multiple camping areas situated approximately 20 miles west of Shawnee.

Camping facilities in the region vary considerably in terms of amenities and regulations. Most established campgrounds provide water and electric hookups, though availability changes seasonally. Shawnee Twin Lakes has limited facilities with no electric hookups, showers, or reservable sites, but does offer basic toilets and trash service. Wes Watkins Reservoir, located northeast of Shawnee, provides electric hookups and showers but can become crowded during peak times. Campers should verify current conditions before arrival, as some areas have specific restrictions. "The designated campground at Shawnee Twin Lakes is now closed to camping. We ended up staying at the boat ramp," noted one visitor in recent feedback.

Water access represents a significant draw for campers in the Shawnee area. Lake Thunderbird State Park receives consistently positive ratings for its multiple camping areas with boat-in access and waterfront sites. Happy Acres campground, while primarily catering to RVs, provides hiking trails across its 32 acres for campers seeking land-based recreation. According to visitor reports, Shawnee Twin Lakes historically offered "beautiful sunset views and nice, spacious, clean campsites all with fire pits with attached grill." Some campgrounds in the region show evidence of long-term occupancy, particularly in tent camping sections. Bathroom facilities vary widely across the area's campgrounds, with some receiving praise for cleanliness while others are described as "atrocious" in visitor reviews.

Map showing campgrounds near Shawnee, OklahomaExplore the Map

Best Camping Sites Near Shawnee, Oklahoma (101)

    1. Oklahoma City East KOA

    22 Reviews
    Choctaw, OK
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 391-5000

    "This KOA is an excellent choice for visiting Oklahoma City. Check in was quick and friendly. It was easy to get to downtown, yet the traffic noise was never an issue. Anything you need is nearby."

    "The site is bordered by a moderately busy 4 lane road which is why I gave it 4 vs 5 stars.

    I was in a tent site but had easy access to electric and water. "

    2. Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    21 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 360-3572

    $25 / night

    "We had a great stay in Lake Thunderbird State Park near Norman Oklahoma."

    "Nice campspots as we are passing through Oklahoma, near Norman and restaurants/grocery stores. Quiet with decent shower and bathrooms."

    3. Wes Watkins Reservoir

    7 Reviews
    Shawnee, OK
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 695-8701

    $10 - $25 / night

    "Many areas to approach lake."

    "Your right next to everyone but it’s kinda expected I guess. Very large park"

    4. Shawnee Twin Lakes

    5 Reviews
    Shawnee, OK
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 878-1529

    5. Happy Acres RV Park & Campground

    2 Reviews
    Meeker, OK
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 434-9955

    "For anyone looking for an overnight or long time stay around the Oklahoma City area this is the place. We were received with a smile as well as a free coffee cup."

    6. Arcadia Lake

    59 Reviews
    Edmond, OK
    31 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 216-7470

    "Definitely be aware of flash flooding- then again... it is Oklahoma...

    It’s an awesome spot not too far outside of town!"

    "Very easy to get to from Oklahoma City."

    7. Heart of Oklahoma Exposition Center

    1 Review
    Shawnee, OK
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (405) 275-7020

    8. South Dam - Lake Thunderbird State Park

    9 Reviews
    Norman, OK
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 360-3572

    "We didn't stay but rode our bikes over from Little Ax to ride the bike trails. No one there except the campground hosts but we explored the campground and area. Very nice."

    "Close to some trails. Camp hosts are very welcoming and haven't had any issues with other campers."

    9. Happy Acres

    1 Review
    Meeker, OK
    6 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 434-9955

    "Reserved for one day ended up staying an extra day because it was so relaxing.Concrete pads level and places to walk and wander around the ponds an through the pines.Short drive off interstate and close"

    10. Rolling Stone Stables and RV park

    1 Review
    Shawnee, OK
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (405) 318-3303
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Recent Camping Photos near Shawnee, OK

66 Photos of 101 Shawnee Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Shawnee, OK

357 Reviews of 101 Shawnee Campgrounds

  • Nathan T.
    Oct. 1, 2025

    Rolling Stone Stables and RV park

    Off the path

    This place we stayed at is a small stable but has rv hookups, the road is dirt the last 1/4mile if you follow Tammy's directions you won't have a problem, I made it in with a 42ft allegro bus with a car trailer.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 20, 2025

    Central State Park Campground

    Basic state park

    This park has a handful of full hookup sites, a greater number of sites with electric only, and a large number of tent/rv sites with no hookups. There are water fill points conveniently located throughout the park.

    I stayed for 6 days while visiting kids/grandkids. The park was empty during the week, completely full on the weekend. It’s conveniently located close to i35, shopping, dining, etc. it’s on a reservoir and my site was close to a boat launch. They do rigorously enforce quiet hours though.

    The park is basic. One small shower house for the whole park, several bathrooms scattered throughout. Trash collection located with the bathrooms. The price reflects the amenities. I think I paid a little over $100 for the entire stay.

  • Jamie V.
    Sep. 16, 2025

    Rockwell RV Park

    Not safe at night. Transient people roam the area. Hourly rate motel next d

    This place does not feel safe. Located next to a meth head mobile home park and an hourly motel across the street can be entertaining at times. New owner, David Syler, took over the place and talked a big plans to upgrade things but hasn't. The park has flooding issues, has a huge vagrant problem and they hiked the rent up to$800 a month. Instead of addressing things he is kicking out anyone that speaks ill of him. Place looks old and run down and not cared for. Half the laundry machine are broken and the bathroom stalls are atrocious. The say they do background checks but have a convicted felon and murderer on site and as part of the staff and will lie if you ask. We have been tenants for over a year and we're told to vacate today with no warrant or reason.

  • j
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Abe's RV Park

    Stay Away

    Bad roads! Unkept park with no perks!

  • That_Other_Grace
    Aug. 9, 2025

    North Sentinel — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Rooftop tents aren't tents

    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. The showers sprayed water everywhere except for where you need it and there were condom wrappers and dirty diapers on the floor.

  • Kristina H.
    Jul. 31, 2025

    Post Oak 2 — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Camping with family

    Well most time quiet and I like the pull in but back up ok too the bathroom clean and feel good on a hot day with the ac on the swimming area clean our love it. Just put up your food those raccoons get them lol

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 23, 2025

    Turkey Pass — Lake Thunderbird State Park

    Great Quiet spot

    We stayed Monday and Tuesday night and it was very quiet. Great and friendly host. Sites are nice a spread out so you’re not right on top of each other. The campground is clean but my only complaint is the amount of litter at the boat ramp. There is a dumpster there and yet no one used it. 3 bars of 5G for Verison and T-Mobile.

  • A
    Jul. 18, 2025

    Scissortail Campground

    Nice Area

    The site itself is private and could be a nice place. There was trash all over the site and the showers and bathrooms were disgusting. There are limited spots with water and with nasty bathrooms if you rely on having water you should avoid this place. There were lots of wildlife.

  • Debbie B.
    Jul. 7, 2025

    Okemah Lake

    Very clean

    Very clean. Bathrooms has showers too. Big fish too. Will definitely go back

Guide to Shawnee

Camping near Shawnee, OK, offers a variety of experiences for outdoor lovers. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or a family-friendly adventure, there are plenty of campgrounds to explore.

What to do:

  • Fishing and Boating: Many campgrounds, like Lake Carl Blackwell, provide access to beautiful lakes. One visitor mentioned, "The lake is great for swimming with a shallow flat bottom," making it perfect for families.
  • Hiking and Biking: Trails are available at places like Lake Thunderbird State Park. A reviewer noted, "From here you can hop over to some mountain bike trails," which is great for those looking to explore the outdoors.
  • Playgrounds and Family Activities: Campgrounds such as Oklahoma City East KOA have amenities for kids. One camper shared, "Nice playground for the kids," ensuring that younger visitors have fun.

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers appreciate the beautiful surroundings. A visitor at Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park said, "Nice little peninsula, watched the sun come up over the water."
  • Clean Facilities: Many campers value cleanliness. A review for Oklahoma City East KOA highlighted, "The bathroom/showers were very clean and there was plenty of hot water."
  • Friendly Staff: Good service makes a difference. A camper at Arcadia Lake mentioned, "Great staff, help with hookups and how to use."

What you should know:

  • First-Come, First-Serve: Some campgrounds, like Central State Park Campground, operate on a first-come, first-serve basis. A visitor noted, "First come first serve sounds great until you realize you won’t get a spot."
  • Limited Amenities: Not all campgrounds have full amenities. A review for Heyburn Park mentioned, "The park didn’t have a map so we weren’t sure where the site was."
  • Wildlife Encounters: Campers often see wildlife. A visitor at Arcadia Lake shared, "Lots of wildlife, it’s hard to believe the city isn’t far away."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Campgrounds with Play Areas: Look for spots like Oklahoma City East KOA that have playgrounds. A reviewer said, "The playground was located centrally and is easily accessible from all sites."
  • Plan for Quiet Time: Some campgrounds are quieter than others. A camper at Little Axe — Lake Thunderbird State Park noted, "This park/campground was the quietest of the three we visited."
  • Bring Extra Supplies: Campgrounds like Lake McMurtry West Campground may have limited supplies. A visitor mentioned, "Make sure to have a 50 ft water hose as the water spouts are on the opposite side of most camper locations."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Sizes: Some campgrounds, like Oklahoma City East KOA, accommodate larger rigs. A reviewer said, "The spaces were a good size to fit our 45’ toyhauler."
  • Be Aware of Hookup Locations: At places like Heyburn Park, hookups may not be where you expect. A camper noted, "The hook ups are on the wrong side."
  • Plan for Road Conditions: Some access roads can be rough. A visitor at Lake McMurtry West Campground mentioned, "The road access to this campground is probably the worst that I have experienced."

Camping near Shawnee, OK, has something for everyone, whether you're in an RV or tent camping. Just remember to check the specific amenities and conditions of each campground before you go!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular campground near Shawnee, OK?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shawnee, OK is Oklahoma City East KOA with a 4.5-star rating from 22 reviews.

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