Bell Cow Lake Campground C provides equestrian-friendly camping approximately 45 miles from The Village, Oklahoma, in terrain characterized by red clay soil and moderate rolling hills. The landscape features wooded areas surrounding a shallow lake with numerous stumps and trees that naturally limit boat speeds. Winter temperatures typically range from 30-50°F while summer months regularly exceed 90°F with high humidity.
What to do
Wildlife watching opportunities: At Lake Carl Blackwell, visitors can observe diverse wildlife including deer, beavers, and armadillos. "Deer, beavers, armadillo, birds! There are many different campground areas, I stayed in Pine Grove," notes Kelly G., who visited the lake.
Horseback riding trails: The equestrian areas at Bell Cow Lake feature miles of riding trails through wooded terrain. Leslie N. shares, "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."
Swimming at designated beaches: Little Axe Campground offers swimming areas separate from boat traffic. "There is a designated swimming area in the campgrounds. Beautiful, wooded park with large lake that has a section for watersports and fishing," according to Noelle H.
What campers like
Affordability for short trips: Bell Cow Lake's budget-friendly rates make it accessible for weekend getaways. Jon B. notes, "Bell Cow lake may become one of our go to places as it is still within an easy drive from OKC and half the price of the next closest lake to camp at (Lake Arcadia). Tent camping is $10 a night, RV is $20."
Waterfront camping: South Dam at Lake Thunderbird State Park offers sites with direct lake access. A visitor named Forrest shares, "Nice place to relax by a fire. Campsites are spaced out well enough and has some right by the water. Close to some trails."
Peaceful atmosphere: Liberty Lake provides quiet camping with minimal crowds. Hillary B. says, "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 you should know
Lake conditions: The shallow, clay-bottom lakes in the area affect water clarity and boating. Leslie N. observed at Bell Cow Lake, "Lake is calm & shallow, so it is best for small boats and kayaks."
Site cleanliness varies: Some campsites may require cleanup upon arrival. Danielle C. reported, "Our campsite had trash there when we got there. No big deal we cleaned it, but because of the food on the ground from the previous campers, our camp site was filled with flys."
Reservation requirements: Central State Park Campground gets busy on weekends but quieter midweek. Dale Y. notes, "The park was empty during the week, completely full on the weekend. It's conveniently located close to i35, shopping, dining, etc."
Bathroom facilities: Most equestrian campgrounds have basic shower facilities with varying maintenance. Rachel S. mentions about Bell Cow Lake, "Bathrooms were kind of gross but I expect that's due to visiting in a shoulder season."
Tips for camping with families
Lake swimming options: Bell Cow Lake has family-friendly swimming areas with natural features for children to explore. "My mom and I harvested some [red clay] and made little figures and baked them in the sun. We had so much fun," shares Danielle C.
Playground access: Scissortail Campground features play areas and wildlife viewing opportunities for children. Rachael V. notes, "The kids loved feeding all the deer. Great clean park!"
Pack appropriate footwear: The red clay soil can affect comfort at waterfront sites. "For anyone planning to camp, make sure u bring slip on shoes. U can go barefoot, we did. But the sand which is great at first... left our feet raw," advises Danielle C.
Noise considerations: Some sites experience highway noise that might disturb light sleepers. Jon B. noted at Bell Cow Lake, "One of the only things we did not like was with the campsite being 2 miles from I-44 you could hear the highway traffic all night."
Tips from RVers
Weekday camping benefits: For less crowded experiences, schedule visits mid-week at most area campgrounds. "We stayed for 6 days while visiting kids/grandkids. The park was empty during the week, completely full on the weekend," according to Dale Y. at Central State Park.
Hookup availability: Most horse campgrounds offer electric and water connections, but placement varies by site. Leslie N. explains, "Campground 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."
Dump station locations: Some facilities have dump stations that can be difficult to find. Christine N. advises about Bell Cow Lake, "The dump location is near the restrooms by the boat dock. It's a little hidden."
