Camping cabins near Stillwater, Oklahoma provide convenient lodging options for outdoor enthusiasts. Located in north-central Oklahoma at approximately 984 feet elevation, the Stillwater area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F and mild winters. The region's terrain features rolling hills, prairie grasslands, and several lakes within a 30-mile radius.
What to do
Hiking trails: Lake McMurtry West Campground offers nearly six miles of multi-use trails suitable for hiking, running and mountain biking. "Lake McMurtry is the perfect little escape though, taking you through winding mountain bike paths and down to the water," notes a camper who attended Oklahoma State University in Stillwater for five years.
Fishing opportunities: Lake Carl Blackwell maintains a healthy fish population in its 3,350-acre reservoir. The lake sits eight miles west of Stillwater and remains popular with anglers despite challenging conditions. "Quiet. Not for the party going crew. Which makes it nice for quite camping. They should stick the lake though. It's a tough fishing spot," reports one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: Primitive camping areas at Lake McMurtry West Campground attract various wildlife species. "I was practically surrounded by water. Deer, beavers, armadillo, birds! There are many different campground areas, I stayed in Pine Grove," shares a camper who appreciated the natural setting.
What campers like
Private waterfront sites: The west side of Lake McMurtry features spacious RV sites with natural screening between neighbors. "We really love the long, relatively private sites on the west side. Each campsite is somewhat screened from the neighbor by brush. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring, water and electrical hookups," explains a regular camper.
Clean facilities: Keystone State Park Campground maintains modern bathrooms with climate control. "Great State Park close to Tulsa. RV sites and primitive Tent Camping. Great clean and modern toilets and showers with heating and air near the marina," notes a recent visitor who plans to return.
Lakeside convenience: Cedar Crest RV Park sits on 40 acres with a stocked fishing pond and complete amenities. "Beautiful park surrounded by magnificent cedar trees and a fishing pond. Showers and laundry are well kept. They have a cute little General Store with vending and items to buy," states a satisfied camper.
What you should know
Storm protection: Cedar Crest RV Park provides a storm shelter for camper safety during Oklahoma's severe weather season. The park's 32 spacious hookups include 22 drive-through and 10 back-in sites on their 40-acre property, along with convenient on-site laundry facilities.
Reservation timing: Lake McMurtry campsites fill up quickly during peak seasons. "The only other con is it is hard to get reservation. They have a very nice online reservation system, but the campsites fill up quickly and pretty far out date wise. I wish they had twice as many campsites!" advises a frequent visitor.
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful driving. At Lake McMurtry, "the road access to this campground is probably the worst that I have experienced. The last several miles to this campground are incredibly rough," warns an RVer with a 34-foot fifth wheel.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Keystone State Park Campground features updated recreation areas for children. "One of the things we really liked about this park was that the bathrooms are new and kept clean. Also, the playgrounds were all new equipment, which is great compared to lots of the other OK state parks," notes a family who tent camped there.
Wildlife caution: Small animals may visit campsites overnight. "Though we didn't actually see much wildlife, we did have what we think was a sneaky raccoon steal our bread in the night, so lock that cooler up tight!" warns a camper who stayed at Keystone State Park.
Swimming considerations: Lake access points vary in quality across campgrounds. "The cove is pretty rocky but there is a swimming area and a couple of good areas to launch/land a kayak. If you head north on the water about a mile or so from the cove and go around the point you'll find a nice sandy beach across the way," suggests a visitor to Keystone State Park.
Tips from RVers
Hookup options: Lake Carl Blackwell offers multiple camping areas with varying amenities. "The amenities were very clean, some being very new. Multiple new dump stations in each area. Most all campsites are right on the water," reports a satisfied RVer who considers this their favorite in-state campground.
Annual permits: Some lakes reserve significant shoreline for long-term campers. At Lake Carl Blackwell, "the quirky bit is the number of camping spaces that are by annual permit. That means a lot of of the shore line is taken up by permanent campers, weekend campers that leave their rigs, student living and even residents (in campers)," explains a visitor.
Weather preparation: Oklahoma campgrounds can experience rapid weather changes. Pack for temperature fluctuations and secure loose items at your campsite, especially during spring storm season when severe weather can develop quickly.
