Tent camping options near Stillwater, Oklahoma range from primitive lakeside sites to more developed campgrounds within a 30-45 minute drive. The region features rolling plains with elevations between 850-950 feet, creating varied shorelines around the numerous reservoirs. Weather conditions can change rapidly, particularly during spring and fall, with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F between June and September.
What to do
Fishing from shore: At Liberty Lake, campers can fish for catfish, largemouth bass, and crappie directly from their campsites. "Great place to take the kids, grandkids to Fish and have fun behind the boat on toys," notes James S.
Boating access: Liberty Lake's boat ramp provides direct lake access for water activities. As Jessica W. explains, "It's a great spot to fish though catfish largemouth and crappie being the usuals. Great place to bring a boat you'll need it to see most of the lake."
Sunset viewing: Several campgrounds offer excellent sunset views over the water. At Liberty Lake, one camper reported, "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."
What campers like
Secluded camping spots: Whitetail Trail - North Fork offers tent sites with significant privacy. One reviewer notes the site has a "nice open area for cars & tents" and mentions there are "no other campsites nearby, good forest cover, it's great."
Lakefront access: Many sites offer direct water access without crowds. At Liberty Lake, Hillary B. mentions: "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."
Natural setting: Three Ponds Community provides a more natural camping experience. One camper describes it as "Peaceful. Serene. Secluded," adding "the land is beautiful and firewood is provided for a small fee."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most sites have minimal amenities. At Sunset Bay, Sandy O. observes "There is an outhouse with water. They have made some improvements in the last few years but this area used to gather a lot of riff-raff."
Seasonal water availability: Water access varies by season and location. At Three Ponds Community, one camper notes "There is currently no running water due to colder temperatures. But once it warms water is on site."
Site spacing concerns: Some campgrounds place sites close together. Jessica W. comments on Liberty Lake: "There's a couple of sites for camping all entirely too close to each other. The parking lot is bigger than the grass areas you have to work with."
Weather preparation: Oklahoma weather can change quickly. Crystal C. advises Liberty Lake visitors to "Check weather before traveling, it is very common for bad weather to roll through this area and with all of the trees you want to make sure you are safe."
Tips for camping with families
Swimming areas: Liberty Lake includes a designated swimming area, though it's modest in size. Crystal C. describes it: "Just beyond that a swimming 'beach'. This was a little perplexing to me because there was less than a foot of red dirt sand then water which was marked as appropriate. The beach itself was tiny."
Safety considerations: Life jacket information is prominently posted at water access points. Crystal C. notes at Liberty Lake, "I noticed an abundance of naked signs about life jacket safety which I thought was great!"
Advance planning: Limited sites mean weekend camping requires preparation. Crystal C. recommends: "Call ahead if you want to stay here on a weekend since there are limited sites and reserve in advance."
Tips from RVers
Limited hookups: Meeker Lake and other sites near Stillwater generally lack RV hookups, requiring self-contained camping. Matt N. cautions the lake itself is "Choppy and dirty," suggesting RVers might focus on the camping rather than water activities.
Parking space: While many tent sites can accommodate RVs, designated parking areas vary in size. At Liberty Lake, Crystal C. notes each site has "large parking areas" that can fit RVs, though hookups are not available.
Security considerations: Some campgrounds offer more security than others. Sandy O. mentions regarding Sunset Bay: "If you want to feel a bit more secure, I recommend the other camp! I would not recommend this as a family vacation site."