Tenkiller Ferry Lake campsites sit within the foothills of the Ozark Mountains at an elevation ranging from approximately 632 to 667 feet, depending on the campground. The lake itself covers 12,500 acres with 130 miles of shoreline that includes limestone bluffs, forested hills, and multiple rocky outcroppings. Terrain at most campgrounds features a mix of open fields and wooded areas with oak-hickory forests providing varied shade options depending on site selection.
What to do
Disc golf in the state park: Cherokee Landing State Park campground has a course with tire baskets on site. "Has a disc golf course with tire baskets and they rent discs at the camp office. Mixture of out toilets and flush toilets on site," explains James K.
Rock climbing and bouldering: Large rock formations throughout the camping areas provide natural climbing opportunities. At Bluff View — Tenkiller State Park, "The boys had so much fun climbing the giant rocks. We were lucky to have the place to ourselves in November, sites were a little close together if it had been busier," shares Mara Y.
Hiking the trails: Multiple campgrounds offer trail systems with varying difficulty levels. At Greenleaf State Park Campground, "The trails at greenleaf are well maintained and marked. Their primitive camping is accessible and well kept. I enjoy the size of the park it is small and offers a lot of room for exploring. Never experienced a large crowd here..which is preferable for me," notes Cody L.
Wildlife viewing: Animal watching opportunities exist throughout the lake area. "Animals! Turtles, deer that like to be petted, frogs croaking at night, owls talking, beavers splashing in the lake and turkeys eating snakes!" describes Julie O. about her stay at Greenleaf State Park.
What campers like
Clear diving waters: Tenkiller Ferry Lake camping areas provide access to exceptionally clear water conditions for underwater exploration. "The underwater terrain ranges from gently sloping hills to rocky cliffs. The water ranges in depth up to 165 feet," according to a review of Chicken Creek.
Rock ledge swimming: Natural rock formations create unique swimming opportunities. "Across from the pavilion in the tent area are trails through the woods that lead to the Cliff's and rock ledges. The water is deep, clear and cool. We like to dive from the Cliff's and swim from the rock ledges," explains Melanie W. from Snake Creek.
Secluded coves: Many camping areas offer more private water access points away from main boat traffic. At Strayhorn Landing - Tenkiller Ferry Lake, "The park is clean and well maintained, with great views of the surrounding hills and sparkling lake waters," shares Adam W.
Fall colors viewing: The deciduous forest surrounding the lake provides seasonal color displays. "We had a blast. The first night it was truly freezing but we made it through. We went to enjoy hiking & fall colors and we're not disappointed," writes Jo L. about Greenleaf State Park.
What you should know
Fire ant issues: Some shoreline camping areas have reported ant problems that can impact outdoor activities. At Snake Creek, one camper noted: "The fire ants are a severe problem. The ants prevent us from playing in our campground area and the kids have to play in the street or gravel. If you stand in one place too long, you get bit - regardless of trying to avoid them."
Gate closure times: Entrance gates at several campgrounds close during designated quiet hours. "Gates going in locked at 10:00 p.m. and open at 6:00 a.m.," notes Mark J. about Chicken Creek. Plan arrivals accordingly to avoid being locked out of your camping area.
Limited 50-amp availability: For RVers requiring higher power, sites with 50-amp service are limited and often fill quickly. "Only seven 50 amp spots and no sewer sites but the campground is great," explains Mark J. about Chicken Creek, while Todd R. confirms, "Would have given 5 stars, but they are limited on sites with 50amps."
Variable campground spacing: Site proximity varies significantly across camping areas. At Petit Bay - Tenkiller Ferry Lake, "Most sites are spaced well, with some a little closer. The only downside to this trip was the noise from the construction going on at the marina," according to Donna H.
Tips for camping with families
Splash pads and pools: Several camping areas offer water features specifically for children. "The absolute best part of this park is the splash pad. It was the best splash pad we've been too. They had a cool slide and we had a blast," notes Richard about Greenleaf State Park.
Playgrounds and recreation: Multiple camping areas include designated play equipment. At Marval Camping Resort, "This place has everything, movie theater, horse riding, a train that goes around the park, golf carts, tons of activities for the entire family... Swiming pool and all... We go every chance we get, my kids love it," shares Candy U.
Proximity considerations: For families with small children, camp location relative to amenities matters. "If you have small kids it might be more convenient to stay at one of the campgrounds closer to the pool and park," advises Elise H. about Tenkiller State Park.
Off-peak advantages: School season camping offers quieter experiences with more space. "If you dig the crowds and the splash park scene and the loud music... hit it in the summer. But if you like it quiet and peaceful check it out in the winter or early spring," recommends ShaneB about Greenleaf State Park.
Tips from RVers
Water hookup planning: Some campsites have unusual water connection arrangements. "The only disadvantage to this park is some sites share water. In our site we needed 50 ft of water hose and I would suggest bringing a 'y' water connector," advises Kassi S. about Greenleaf State Park.
Cell service variability: Connectivity varies significantly by campground location. At Snake Creek, one camper reported "Practically zero Verizon reception which meant no internet or phone," while at the same campground, another visitor measured "Verizon Wireless Cell connection is really good. 42ms Ping, 670mb/s Down, 22.3mb/s Up."
Bathroom conditions: Facility quality differs dramatically between camping areas. "Bathroom/shower facilities were available for use. They were fine for what we needed but were definitely on the rustic side," notes Kelsey L. about Bluff View, while at another location, a visitor mentioned "The only complaint is the restrooms are quite dirty, and the shower doesn't have cold water."
