Best Tent Camping near Tenkiller Ferry Lake
Tenkiller Ferry Lake in eastern Oklahoma provides tent campers with several established options within Tenkiller State Park, including Eagles Point and Hickory Flats campgrounds. Both tent sites offer lake access with varying amenities. Gates Nature Preserve nearby provides walk-in tent sites with more facilities including drinking water, showers, and trash service. Horseshoe Bend Primitive Public Use Area offers free primitive tent camping with multiple access options including boat-in sites, though recent reviews indicate camping may no longer be permitted.
Most tent campsites in the Tenkiller area feature basic amenities, with toilets available at Eagles Point, Hickory Flats, and Gates Nature Preserve. Fire rings are common at designated sites where fires are permitted. Tent camping areas typically require campers to bring their own drinking water, except at Gates Nature Preserve which provides this service. Sites at Tenkiller State Park can be reserved in advance, while Horseshoe Bend operated on a first-come basis when camping was allowed. Campers report varying road conditions, particularly at primitive sites where high clearance vehicles may be necessary.
The tent camping experience at Tenkiller offers scenic lake views and natural settings. A camper described Hickory Flats as having "gorgeous views, great campground and even better staff and events," though noted some traffic noise. Primitive tent setups at Horseshoe Bend provide a more secluded experience along the Illinois River. According to one review, "The river is narrow at this point, moving but not at a fast pace. Kayakers put in and paddle upstream and float back to boat landing." Most tent sites provide access to recreational activities including hiking, swimming, fishing, and kayaking. Tenkiller State Park tent camping areas also connect to hiking trails and a nature center. Sites typically provide adequate shade through tree cover, though summer temperatures can be high.
