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Best Tent Camping near Skiatook Lake

246 Reviews

Tent campsites near Skiatook Lake in Oklahoma offer a range of primitive options for overnight stays. Three Ponds Community provides tent sites with a peaceful setting, while Huge Great Bus Camping features primitive tent sites about 6 miles west of Ramona. Verdigris River Park also accommodates tent camping with basic amenities and access to fishing opportunities.

Most tent campgrounds in the Skiatook Lake area provide limited facilities. Sites typically feature dirt or gravel pads with minimal improvements. Verdigris River Park offers picnic tables, trash collection, and toilets while allowing fires. Three Ponds Community provides drinking water during warmer months and firewood for a small fee. Alcohol policies vary by location, with some campgrounds like Huge Great Bus Camping permitting alcohol while others prohibit it. Reservations are required at Three Ponds Community, but most other tent sites operate on a first-come basis.

Tent campers at Skiatook Lake appreciate the natural surroundings and outdoor recreation. Areas farther from developed areas provide greater solitude and wildlife viewing opportunities. A visitor commented that Three Ponds Community is "peaceful, serene, and secluded," making it particularly suitable for solo camping trips. Sunset Bay campground can be quiet during off-peak times, with one camper noting it was "empty and quiet" during their stay. Walk-in tent sites at Newt Graham Lock and Dam area require some hiking but reward campers with waterfront access. Some primitive tent setups like Caney Bend offer excellent wildlife viewing, where visitors report seeing birds, woodland animals, and even lizards. Most tent-only areas provide good access to water activities, hiking, and fishing.

Map showing campgrounds near Skiatook Lake, OklahomaExplore the Map

Best Tent Sites Near Skiatook Lake (14)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Skiatook Lake

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Tent Camping Reviews near Skiatook Lake

246 Reviews of 14 Skiatook Lake Campgrounds

  • Analia F.
    Oct. 31, 2018

    Bluestem Lake

    Blast!

    This campground was super cool because it was a little "out dated" but it made it cozy! So many beautiful trees and walking paths that it made the stay great. We would get up in the morning and do a short hike that was nearby, and then finish it off with one of the walking paths around the campground, then had breakfast. It was a great way to start the day. They offer RV sites as well as small cabins you can rent. My family and I took our RV, and had a blast. The sites were big enough for the RV and had a picnic table and fire ring within the site. We didn't feel like we were right on top of our neighbors either which was nice. There is a lake within walking distance, so we would head down there during the day. Dogs are allowed, but need to be on leashes. We brought our dog and he had a blast in the lake. They have a volleyball court set up as well as horse shoes which was fun! You can also rent stand up paddle boards from the front desk to take down to the lake. They also have a club house that has a pool table, although we didn't partake in this. There is an area where you can do laundry too, which we thought was pretty cool. This is definitely considered "glamping" to us :) There is also a boat launch if you need that too. We caught some really awesome weather while we stayed here which made the trip amazing! We will definitely be back.

  • Karen T.
    Oct. 22, 2022

    Bull Creek Peninsula

    Quiet, lots of shade, easy to get to, great roads

    First time here, absolutely love it! The roads look like they've recently been blacktopped. Very easy to get to. Lots of shade, but there's sun if you want it. Beautiful lake view from my site. Clean vault toilet. No water available anywhere tho, which lowered my review to 4. No electric or dump station, so come prepared.

  • Craig E.
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Bluff Landing

    Quiet, fishable, secluded

    Peaceful area outside of Tulsa metro on the outskirts of Broken Arrow near Coweta. 25min drive into Tulsa. 10min drive to Walmart and fast food. Checkout Smokies BBQ nearby for great food. Sites were pretty level using gravel. A few were completely shaded but most were barely shaded. Shoreline really close to campsites with boatdock and fishable shoreline. Restrooms were clean but very hot. Showers available but did not use. Fire ring, picnic tables and lantern hooks available. Dump station is clean and easily manageable. Grass needed to mowed especially since several snakes were seen. Whole area was pretty clean and peaceful.

  • Richard
    May. 1, 2021

    Osage Hills State Park Campground

    Osage Hill

    We tent camped here at Tent Hill site C. Had a grassy site which was nice. It was kind of close to D but we had good neighbors. Also, one of the benches at the picnic table was gone. Maybe it was an ADA site. Had a fire ring and lantern pole. Just across the road from the bathroom.

    There are some good trails here. But they are in the process of making some changes and the maps are only partially accurate for the time being. We hiked to the old CCC camp and saw some old buildings and stuff.

    There is a playground at the bottom of the hill. It’s a bit of a trek back up.

    I suggest hiking down to the “waterfalls” on the river and spending some time.

  • Travis W.
    Oct. 21, 2020

    COE Lake Skiatook Twin Points

    Nice Corps of Engineers campground

    This was our first trip with our new trailer. We wanted somewhere near home in case we forgot something. 

    Twin points is a clean, well-maintained campground on Skiatook Lake. Most of our neighbors also seemed to be from nearby towns.

    The only downside for us was the bugs! So many mosquitos, flies, and bees. Of course, one of the things we forgot to bring was insect repellent.

    You'll want to bring at least 50' of water hose (probably more), as the spigots mostly seemed to be quite a distance from the pads. Also, bring a water hose splitter. Many sites share a single faucet.

  • Travis W.
    Oct. 21, 2020

    COE Lake Skiatook Twin Points

    Clean Corps of Engineers Campground

    This was our first trip with our new trailer. We wanted somewhere near home in case we forgot something. 

    Twin points is a clean, well-maintained campground on Skiatook Lake. Most of our neighbors also seemed to be from nearby towns. The only downside for us was the bugs! So many mosquitos, flies, and bees. Of course, one of the things we forgot to bring was insect repellent. 

    You'll want to bring at least 50' of water hose(probably more), as the spigots mostly seemed to be quite a distance from the pads. Also, bring a water hose splitter. Many sites share a single faucet.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 24, 2018

    Keystone State Park Campground

    Close to town; main spot for boaters

    As a typical Oklahoma State Park, this campground is what you would expect. Built in the 50's and very few upgrades, it remains as a mostly RV/ Boaters park. Many family's go here for the shore line swimming and boating opportunities. The bathrooms are okay but haven't been updated but you don't have to worry about vault toilets. I would suggest bringing soap. Since we tent, it is fairly easy finding a level spot but they do not have platforms or any premade sites to set up. Some sites do have fire rings but most do not but they do have tables. This has always been a good spot for bringing our beginning camping friends to get them introduced to camping before any longer camping trips.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2022

    Blue Creek

    Enjoy many activities!

    General: Blue Creek is one of four campgrounds operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers on Oologah Lake (the others are Spencer Creek, Red Bud, and Hawthorn Bluff). It is divided into three sections: one with electric hookups (Sites 14-35) and two without (Sites 1-11 and 36-61, with Sites 54-61 that can be used as a group area). On a weekday in early May, the section with electric was full but we had the section with sites 36-61 entirely to ourselves. Sites 1-11 are good for boaters as they are near the boat ramp, however, the sites are not as well delineated (the picnic tables have the site numbers on them and cars park wherever). 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). 

    Site Quality/Facilities: It is often impossible to determine the best site when reserving but after arriving, we discovered that Site 55 was not going to work for us. It had a very short sloping half-circle drive and after 10 minutes of maneuvering, it was obvious there was no way we were going to be level. It was also rocky so it would be challenging for tents. This site is the furthest away but near the spot where many fish so it will not be as quiet as you might expect. Fortunately, we were able to switch sites (no one else was there!) and Site 42 was much better and like many others, had a large semi-circular drive. Many sites had a covered concrete pad with a large concrete picnic table, utility table, and lantern hook. There was a dump station, but it was coned off when we were there; we did not need it so I did not ask when/if it would be available. 

    Bathhouse: The sections without electricity have vault toilets, which were clean, but the flush toilets/showers are within a reasonable walking distance. These were very clean. Soap but bring your towel. 

    Activities/Amenities: Aside from fishing and boating, there are many activities you can enjoy here including volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and basketball. When the gate attendant is there, you can check out supplies for these activities. There is also a hiking trail. We saw a few people kayaking. Horses are allowed in the group camping section (Sites 54-61). 

    Perhaps it is because we had an entire section to ourselves, but we had a relaxing and peaceful stay here and would definitely return.

  • B
    Mar. 17, 2025

    Hawthorn Bluff

    Had to adapt

    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. I talking to one passer-by, who was unfortunately house-less at the time, who explained that Hawthorn Bluff does not charge for camping until April 1st. I paid for my campsite as the website did not state this. I'm not upset by this because I know the fees will help maintain the park. However, this makes for some very interesting campers. The couple next to our site were having a domestic dispute where the lady sped off in her car after cussing her partner out for some time. She returned later with an 18 pack, one in her hand, and thankfully they seemed to have made up. This was hard to explain to my young kids who witnessed the whole exchange. Since they were not charging for campsites during my stay, the showers were locked and not opened as well as another restroom. There was only one opened restroom on the opposite side of the park and it had beer cans and other trash in it. 

    Nice views of the lake, but I think I'll cross this one off my list for next time.

Guide to Skiatook Lake

Tent camping near Skiatook Lake in Oklahoma offers a serene escape into nature, with a variety of well-reviewed spots that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Tent campers should check out local attractions

  • The tranquil setting of Three Ponds Community features beautiful land and stocked ponds, perfect for fishing and relaxation.
  • Verdigris River provides access to fishing and boating, making it a great choice for those looking to enjoy water activities.
  • New Mannford Ramp is ideal for those who want to experience the natural beauty of Keystone Lake while camping.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Huge Great Bus Camping offers drinking water, picnic tables, and firewood, ensuring a comfortable stay in a primitive setting.
  • At Sunset Bay, campers can enjoy amenities like toilets and trash disposal, making it a convenient option for families.
  • Redbud Bay features cabins and a marina, providing a unique camping experience with easy access to water activities.

Activities for tent campers

  • Fishing enthusiasts will love the opportunities at Verdigris River, where many have fond memories of night fishing with family.
  • Hiking trails near Three Ponds Community offer a peaceful way to explore the beautiful landscape.
  • Campers at Huge Great Bus Camping can enjoy a swimming hole and wooded areas, perfect for a refreshing dip or a leisurely stroll.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Skiatook Lake?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Skiatook Lake is Three Ponds Community with a 5-star rating from 1 review.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Skiatook Lake?

TheDyrt.com has all 14 tent camping locations near Skiatook Lake, with real photos and reviews from campers.

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