Blue Creek Campground offers equestrian camping 4 miles east of Oologah in northeastern Oklahoma. The area features rolling terrain with a mix of oak-hickory forests and open areas at approximately 670 feet elevation. Trails remain accessible from April through September, with summer temperatures averaging 85-95°F and moderate humidity during camping season.
What to do
Trail riding at varied skill levels: Blue Creek provides access to multi-use trails with designated equestrian paths. "The trail provides a variety of terrain for all ages. The trail provides amazing views and riders will enjoy tethering areas and three parking areas along the trail," notes a visitor at Timber Hill, just across the state line.
Swimming and water recreation: Cool off after riding at nearby swimming areas. At Hawthorn Bluff, campers mention "a nice sandy beach for swimming" with "life jacket loaners" available free of charge.
Fishing opportunities: The lakes around Afton provide excellent fishing options. "Big Hill Lake is one of the clearest lakes in Kansas and considered a trophy fishing lake. Sport fish include largemouth and smallmouth bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bluegill, walleye and sunfish," according to visitors at Timber Hill.
Wildlife viewing: The diverse terrain creates habitat for various wildlife. One camper at Hawthorn Bluff noted, "There is a lot to do! There's a long rocky shoreline that is fun to explore and hunt shells, you can go fishing, boating, kayaking, visit goat island."
What campers like
Clean facilities: Campers repeatedly mention well-maintained facilities at horse campgrounds near Afton. At Blue Creek, one visitor wrote, "Bathrooms were well kept and stocked, view of the lake was gorgeous. Will definitely be back!"
Quiet camping atmosphere: Many equestrian campers appreciate the peaceful setting. "It's super quiet and sometimes you have a lot of the camp ground to yourself," noted one camper at Blue Creek.
Lake views and sunsets: The scenic setting enhances the camping experience. A camper at Blue Creek shared, "We camped in a spot near the water. The lake was beautiful at sunset. The bathroom was clean, our spot had a covered picnic table, grill and fire ring."
Spacious campsites: Horse campers appreciate the room to spread out. "The site that we had was more than enough room for 4 adults, 3 kids and a dog. We had 2 cars, two tents, a canopy and the dog on a tie out leash and still had plenty of room," reported a visitor at Hawthorn Bluff.
What you should know
Seasonal operation: Most equestrian campgrounds in the area operate on limited schedules. Overlook campground notes "April 1 - October 31" as their season, similar to Blue Creek's April through September schedule.
Site selection matters: Some sites work better for different camping setups. One camper at Blue Creek shared this insight: "It is often impossible to determine the best site when reserving but after arriving, we discovered that Site 55 was not going to work for us. It had a very short sloping half-circle drive and after 10 minutes of maneuvering, it was obvious there was no way we were going to be level."
Reservations required: Since COVID, most campgrounds require advance booking. "Reservations are required but as with all other CoE campgrounds, the fees are extremely reasonable ($20 for electric, $16 for non-electric and half-price for seniors)," notes a Blue Creek camper.
Water access varies: Not all sites have direct water hookups. A visitor at Hawthorn Bluff mentioned, "The only downside is that they don't have water hookups at the sites. You can connect your hose to the nearest spigot but you better hope it's long enough."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation options beyond horses: Will Rogers Birthplace Ranch provides educational opportunities alongside camping. "There's lots of animals to pet and lots of history to learn. You can tour the birthplace for free, there's an old barn to explore," notes a visitor.
Playground and activity options: Some campgrounds offer additional recreation. One Hawthorn Bluff visitor mentioned, "Aside from fishing and boating, there are many activities you can enjoy here including volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and basketball."
Swimming beaches: Family-friendly water access points provide safe swimming options. "The swim beach was well kept and easily accessible with free life jacket loaners," reported a camper at Hawthorn Bluff.
Clean restrooms for families: Parents appreciate maintained facilities. One Blue Creek visitor noted, "The bathrooms were very clean. Soap but bring your towel."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling challenges: Some RV sites require careful positioning. At Claremore Expo RV Park, a visitor shared, "Spots are level and have full hook ups... Spots all seem to be pull through and they stack you close when full."
Electricity options: RVers should check for appropriate hookups. "The Campground is divided into three sections: one with electric hookups (Sites 14-35) and two without (Sites 1-11 and 36-61)," noted a Blue Creek camper.
Water connection planning: RVers need to prepare for water access. "We had to buy a 75' hose to put water in our fresh tank. Not a huge deal," shared one RVer at Hawthorn Bluff, highlighting the need to check utility locations before arrival.
Dump station availability: Waste disposal options may be limited. A Blue Creek visitor mentioned, "There was a dump station, but it was coned off when we were there; we did not need it so I did not ask when/if it would be available."
