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.
What to do
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.
What campers like
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.
What you should know
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.
Tips for camping with families
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.
Tips from RVers
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.
