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Bell Cow Lake Campground C offers equestrian campsites with dedicated horse pens near Chandler, Oklahoma, approximately 45 minutes from Stillwater. The campground features pull-through RV sites with electric and water hookups specifically designed for horse owners, alongside tent camping areas with shared water spigots. Horse-friendly amenities include miles of equestrian trails that wind through peaceful wooded areas. The campground maintains a swim beach, volleyball court, pavilions, and boat ramp. Visitors note the abundance of flies during warmer months due to the presence of horses, making fly swatters and traps recommended equipment for comfortable camping.
The equestrian trails at Bell Cow Lake provide scenic routes through diverse terrain, though recent rainfall can create muddy conditions with thick layers of red clay. Trail riders access multiple miles of designated horse paths directly from the campground. The lake itself remains calm and shallow, making it ideal for small boats and kayaks rather than larger watercraft. Campground C maintains bathroom facilities with showers, though the primitive nature of some amenities should be expected. Regular patrols by local police enhance security throughout the camping areas. Frequent Chandler police patrols contribute to the overall safety of the equestrian camping experience.
"The lake is owned and operated by Oklahoma State University. The grounds were well mowed, some of the structures are dated but well cared for. Super-friendly and helpful people at the permit office."
"Offers Equestrian trails, hiking trails, and bicycling trails. Our favorite in-state campground."
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability"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."
from $25 - $380 / night
"There is also equestrian RV sites with pens, tent camping with shared water spigots, primitive tent camping and a dump station. There are miles of equestrian trails."
"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."
"Stay with some friends here for a festival in Oklahoma City."
"Nice location just outside the city of Oklahoma City. Pretty peaceful by the Arcadia Lake."
"Very nice close to Oklahoma City. Reasonable rate."
"Need an easy on/off overnight spot in central Oklahoma? This could work for that, too. Not scenic, but clean, level spots. On-site store and propane are handy."
"Visiting this campground so was expecting similarities between it and the Guthrie Lake campground as they are both maintained by the City of Guthrie."
"Great place to take the kids,grandkids to Fish and have fun behind the boat on toys."
"Peaceful and quiet lake. We stayed mid week and our sons had a blast kayaking. The only boat traffic were those fishing, and they didn't seem to mind our sons rowing."
"Needed electricity since it was 98 outside with 60% humidity. This place is fairly small and looks like used mostly by locals."
"Not only is the campground very nice, but they actually have a trail system which is the only campground to have that in the area. They have both tent camping regular R. V."
"We camped next to some friends which worked out well because our picnic table was very close to the other people camping next to us."
from $15 - $50 / night
Check Availability"The only bad thing is the tent sites are next to the waters edge and can get flooded out. The RV sites are the best for they have shade trees."
"Lake is very nice."
from $30 - $75 / night
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LegendNot only is the campground very nice, but they actually have a trail system which is the only campground to have that in the area. They have both tent camping regular R. V. Camping and equestrian spots with appropriate services for the horses.
GuideCampground C area offers many pull through RV sites and some back-in RV sites, all with electric & water hook ups. There is also equestrian RV sites with pens, tent camping with shared water spigots, primitive tent camping and a dump station. There are miles of equestrian trails. Hiked down one and the trail was very peaceful and beautiful. It had recently rained a lot, so I had a thick layer of red mud on my shoes from the hike, but glad I hiked it. There are bathrooms with showers, a swim beach, a volleyball court, pavilions, a boat ramp, and plenty of wildlife. Lake is calm & shallow, so it is best for small boats and kayaks. There were plenty of flies due to the time of year and the presence of horses, so a good fly swatter and a fly trap is recommended. Found a small cemetery on the drive to the campsite with some very old grave sites. In all, it was a great place to escape from the real world and relax.
LegendThe lake is owned and operated by Oklahoma State University. The grounds were well mowed, some of the structures are dated but well cared for. Super-friendly and helpful people at the permit office. The store was closed when we arrived.
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). The lake being close to Stillwater, it looks like a number of students and such commute from the lake.
None of this was problematic for us, but the level of care each annual permit holder takes on their lot range from pristine to near dilapidated.
We stayed in Beaver Cove and found it to be clean, well-maintained, friendly and quiet. No real privacy buffer between sites, but the spacing was comfortable.
The park ranger made several passes through, even though the campground was only about 1/4 occupied.
Lots of birds, including a resident blue heron the locals named Charlie. Wonderful views of the cove. We stayed in lot 31 and a few large elm trees gave our campsite evening shade.
Nice fire rings and sturdy picnic tables.
All in all, a good stay.
ScoutThe amenities were very clean, some being very new. Multiple new dump stations in each area. Bathrooms were very clean. Most all campsites are right on the water. Beautiful campground. Offers Equestrian trails, hiking trails, and bicycling trails. Our favorite in-state campground.
RangerI've been to Lake Carl Blackwell a number of times, and that place is excellently kept. Large lake ran by OSU. Eight miles west of Stillwater (and a hospital) where restaurants and provisions can be found. The lake has cabin, R.V., and tent spot rentals along with kayak and golf cart rentals at the gas station/convenient store by the lake.
GuideThis campground was mostly clean and pleasant for a short weekend trip. We did find a lot of cigarette butts all over our site but other than that it was pretty clean. We camped next to some friends which worked out well because our picnic table was very close to the other people camping next to us. The lake has a little swim beach and the water is a bit dirty like most lakes in Oklahoma. There were bathrooms and showers nearby and they were some of the nicer bathrooms that we have come across. There isn’t a lot of shade so be aware of that. We didn’t get a chance to kayak while we were there because it was extremely hot and then we had a storm roll in but the lake seemed pretty nice for kayaking and other small boats.
TravelerStay with some friends here for a festival in Oklahoma City. The campground was easy to find and very close to Oklahoma City but it was dirty and the fire in the fire pit was still going from the people that have been there the night before.
ScoutVery nice close to Oklahoma City. Reasonable rate.
GuideWe reserve two sites side by side in the beaver cove campground. The sites are on a slight decline but pull through and we were able to make them level with our blocks. The sides have enough room for the grandkids to roam around it besides for electric and water only but offered a view of the lake and we're close by a swim area. The trees at the sides provided adequate shade for the afternoon sun and the campground offered boat ramps couple of swim areas and on-site store for gas and supplies including and after hours vending machine with propane tanks and charcoal and s'mores supplies. The dump station provided slots for three RVs at one time and well thought out. The crap ground offers hiking bicycle and horse trails that cover a large area. Wildlife was abundant with plenty of deer and Canadian geese and squirrels. The campgrounds offer some annual sites for long-term visits but there is a waiting list to be on that.
Bell Cow Lake Campground C offers dedicated equestrian camping 45 minutes from Stillwater, Oklahoma in the town of Chandler. The campground sits on the shores of Bell Cow Lake at an elevation of approximately 890 feet. During summer months, temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity, making water activities particularly popular among campers visiting the area.
Trail riding: Bell Cow Lake Campground C provides direct access to multiple miles of equestrian trails. "The equestrian trails at Bell Cow Lake provide scenic routes through diverse terrain, though recent rainfall can create muddy conditions with thick layers of red clay," according to a regular visitor.
Swimming: Arcadia Lake offers a designated swimming area for cooling off. "We have taken our family to Arcadia many times to camp. While it's close to the city, it feels far away. Lake activities and hiking are available," notes Angela H.
Fishing: Lake Carl Blackwell is a popular fishing destination near Stillwater. "I went to OSU so this and lake McMurtry were the two nearby camping spots. It's a nice little getaway, but don't expect to be wowed. Go fishing, wander through the trees, or just sit by a campfire and drink a beer," shares Katie K.
Kayaking: Smaller, calmer lakes work best for paddling in the Stillwater region. "The lake itself remains calm and shallow, making it ideal for small boats and kayaks rather than larger watercraft," according to park information.
Wildlife viewing: The natural surroundings attract various animal species. "I was practically surrounded by water. Deer, beavers, armadillo, birds! There are many different campground areas, I stayed in Pine Grove," explains Kelly G. about her stay at Lake Carl Blackwell.
Affordability: Liberty Lake offers economical camping options. "We just stayed for one night, it was super quiet and calm. The campsites were minimal but had lots of space and were right on the lake. We had a beautiful sunset too," shares Hillary B.
Privacy: Several campgrounds offer secluded sites away from crowds. "Visiting this campground so was expecting similarities between it and the Guthrie Lake campground as they are both maintained by the City of Guthrie. But I was pleasantly surprised as the road turned to packed rock and dirt and started to get more and more remote in appearance," notes Crystal C. about Liberty Lake.
Clean facilities: Some campgrounds maintain better amenities than others. "The amenities were very clean, some being very new. Multiple new dump stations in each area. Bathrooms were very clean. Most all campsites are right on the water," shares David D. about Lake Carl Blackwell.
Seasonal closures: Water facilities may not operate year-round. "We spent the weekend and had a great time, there was plenty of things for the kids to do and enough space at our campsite that we didn't feel crowded in," reports Shelia M. from her stay at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park, which operates from May 15 to October 1.
Insects: Flying insects can be problematic, especially during warmer months. "Had friends come to town with an RV and we decided to do a last minute camp out. We stayed in Camp Area B, Friday night there were a handful of RV spots still available and we were the only tent campers," notes Jon B. about Bell Cow Lake.
Bathroom conditions: Facilities vary greatly between campgrounds. "Bathrooms were old but not too dirty. They were heated very well. Several dump stations. Friendly staff," explains Kelly G. about Lake Carl Blackwell.
Water quality: Lake water in the region often contains red clay sediment. "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," warns Melanie W. about Stroud Municipal Lake.
Pack fly deterrents: The combination of horses and summer heat creates ideal conditions for flies. "This is a very clean camping area, one of the number one spots locals go to swim. The bathrooms could use and updating but for the price this place was great the camping sites were very well shaded it came with electric, water and a fire ring," shares Julie H.
Choose shaded sites: Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity. "This campground was mostly clean and pleasant for a short weekend trip. We did find a lot of cigarette butts all over our site but other than that it was pretty clean," notes Elise H. from her stay at Sheppard Point.
Consider cabin options: For less experienced campers, cabins provide comfort with outdoor access. "My husband and I rented a little cabin for an anniversary getaway. Cabin was clean, and grounds were well kept. We called for fresh bedding, and they were happy to help. The bed was large and comfy, and pillows were soft," shares Dana H. about Lake Carl Blackwell.
Bring water shoes: Lake bottoms in the area often feature clay, sand, and submerged objects. "We spent four nights here in the heat of the summer. The lake has a great swimming beach area - this seems to be a fishing lake, only a few jet skis were out besides fishing boats. Sandy bottom lake near swim beach," advises Megan B. about Sheppard Point.
Reserve equestrian sites early: Dedicated horse camping sites with corrals are limited and book quickly. "Looking for a nature centric camping experience? This isn't your place. Need a place convenient to the Lazy E Arena, Guthrie or Edmond to base out of of? This could be your spot," explains Neil T. about Pioneer RV Park.
Prepare for uneven sites: Many campgrounds have unlevel camping pads. "My RV spot is so unlevel it's almost unusable. Front to back there is 2 feet in elevation difference and a foot from side to side," warns a reviewer about Sheppard Point.
Check for full hookups: Not all sites advertised for RVs have complete services. "Visit was over Christmas 4 days. Easy to maneuver. Very level sites. Everything worked great. Restrooms and showers spotless. Small store with pizza. $38.00 per nite," notes Bill D. about Pioneer RV Park.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Stillwater, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Stillwater, OK is Lake Carl Blackwell with a 4.3-star rating from 18 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Stillwater, OK?
TheDyrt.com has all 11 equestrian camping locations near Stillwater, OK, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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