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Best Tent Camping near Tulsa, OK

362 Reviews

Tent campsites surrounding Tulsa, Oklahoma range from established grounds to more primitive settings along the nearby lakes and riverways. The Verdigris River campground north of Tulsa offers small tent-only sites with picnic tables and fire rings, while Jackson Bay Recreation Area provides free tent camping with up to 14 days of stay allowed. Three Ponds Community features a more secluded tent camping experience, though access requires a hike in to reach the designated sites.

Most tent camping areas near Tulsa maintain basic amenities, with varying levels of facility development. Verdigris River provides trash service, drinking water, and allows pets, but sites are positioned close together with minimal privacy between them. Jackson Bay offers picnic tables and fire rings but no running water or trash facilities, requiring campers to pack out all waste. Campfire regulations change seasonally, with several locations permitting fires in designated rings when conditions allow. Campers should prepare for limited cell service at more remote tent sites, particularly those requiring walk-in access.

The terrain for tent camping typically consists of flat, partially wooded areas near water features. A recent review noted, "The lake was very calm, but difficult to access right in front of camp, I would suggest walking to the boat ramp for that." The proximity to water bodies creates opportunities for fishing, swimming, and paddling directly from camp. Sunset Bay provides a more peaceful atmosphere during weekdays, though weekend crowds can be substantial during summer months. Three Ponds Community offers a notably different experience than other area campgrounds, with a reviewer describing it as "peaceful, serene, and secluded" - ideal for solo tent campers seeking minimal disturbance. Tent sites at Jackson Bay face minimal development but offer excellent sunrise views over the water, creating a genuine primitive camping experience despite being relatively close to Tulsa.

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Best Tent Sites Near Tulsa, Oklahoma (16)

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Recent Tent Camping Photos near Tulsa, OK

3 Photos of 16 Tulsa Campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Tulsa, OK

362 Reviews of 16 Tulsa Campgrounds

  • Craig E.
    Aug. 24, 2023

    Bluff Landing

    Quiet, fishable, secluded

    Peaceful area outside of Tulsa metro on the outskirts of Broken Arrow near Coweta. 25min drive into Tulsa. 10min drive to Walmart and fast food. Checkout Smokies BBQ nearby for great food. Sites were pretty level using gravel. A few were completely shaded but most were barely shaded. Shoreline really close to campsites with boatdock and fishable shoreline. Restrooms were clean but very hot. Showers available but did not use. Fire ring, picnic tables and lantern hooks available. Dump station is clean and easily manageable. Grass needed to mowed especially since several snakes were seen. Whole area was pretty clean and peaceful.

  • Analia F.
    Oct. 31, 2018

    Bluestem Lake

    Blast!

    This campground was super cool because it was a little "out dated" but it made it cozy! So many beautiful trees and walking paths that it made the stay great. We would get up in the morning and do a short hike that was nearby, and then finish it off with one of the walking paths around the campground, then had breakfast. It was a great way to start the day. They offer RV sites as well as small cabins you can rent. My family and I took our RV, and had a blast. The sites were big enough for the RV and had a picnic table and fire ring within the site. We didn't feel like we were right on top of our neighbors either which was nice. There is a lake within walking distance, so we would head down there during the day. Dogs are allowed, but need to be on leashes. We brought our dog and he had a blast in the lake. They have a volleyball court set up as well as horse shoes which was fun! You can also rent stand up paddle boards from the front desk to take down to the lake. They also have a club house that has a pool table, although we didn't partake in this. There is an area where you can do laundry too, which we thought was pretty cool. This is definitely considered "glamping" to us :) There is also a boat launch if you need that too. We caught some really awesome weather while we stayed here which made the trip amazing! We will definitely be back.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 2, 2017

    Osage Hills State Park Campground

    Good Family Camping Spot - Limited activities

    Osage Hills is historic for Oklahoma as it was developed by a CCC camp in the 30's. You have the ability to see the work they did and even hike to the camp itself. The park consists of approximately 5 miles of trails for hiking and a nice smaller lake for fishing. It also has a creek that you can swim in if the water is high enough. The park is on the smaller side and reservations are a must. We usually visit this park when it is cooler and the weather is dicey since it is only an hour from Tulsa. The upper section is for tents only and every time we go it is either not open or has a boy scout troop that takes it over. The bathrooms are a mix of typical Oklahoma State Parks 50's style run downish and one newer facility. I would recommend this park as a great place for family's that are camping with younger children or trying it out for the first time.

  • Karen T.
    Oct. 22, 2022

    Bull Creek Peninsula

    Quiet, lots of shade, easy to get to, great roads

    First time here, absolutely love it! The roads look like they've recently been blacktopped. Very easy to get to. Lots of shade, but there's sun if you want it. Beautiful lake view from my site. Clean vault toilet. No water available anywhere tho, which lowered my review to 4. No electric or dump station, so come prepared.

  • Richard
    May. 1, 2021

    Osage Hills State Park Campground

    Osage Hill

    We tent camped here at Tent Hill site C. Had a grassy site which was nice. It was kind of close to D but we had good neighbors. Also, one of the benches at the picnic table was gone. Maybe it was an ADA site. Had a fire ring and lantern pole. Just across the road from the bathroom.

    There are some good trails here. But they are in the process of making some changes and the maps are only partially accurate for the time being. We hiked to the old CCC camp and saw some old buildings and stuff.

    There is a playground at the bottom of the hill. It’s a bit of a trek back up.

    I suggest hiking down to the “waterfalls” on the river and spending some time.

  • Tom K.
    Jun. 24, 2018

    Keystone State Park Campground

    Close to town; main spot for boaters

    As a typical Oklahoma State Park, this campground is what you would expect. Built in the 50's and very few upgrades, it remains as a mostly RV/ Boaters park. Many family's go here for the shore line swimming and boating opportunities. The bathrooms are okay but haven't been updated but you don't have to worry about vault toilets. I would suggest bringing soap. Since we tent, it is fairly easy finding a level spot but they do not have platforms or any premade sites to set up. Some sites do have fire rings but most do not but they do have tables. This has always been a good spot for bringing our beginning camping friends to get them introduced to camping before any longer camping trips.

  • Lee D.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 26, 2022

    Blue Creek

    Enjoy many activities!

    General: Blue Creek is one of four campgrounds operated by the US Army Corps of Engineers on Oologah Lake (the others are Spencer Creek, Red Bud, and Hawthorn Bluff). It is divided into three sections: one with electric hookups (Sites 14-35) and two without (Sites 1-11 and 36-61, with Sites 54-61 that can be used as a group area). On a weekday in early May, the section with electric was full but we had the section with sites 36-61 entirely to ourselves. Sites 1-11 are good for boaters as they are near the boat ramp, however, the sites are not as well delineated (the picnic tables have the site numbers on them and cars park wherever). Since COVID, 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). 

    Site Quality/Facilities: 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. It was also rocky so it would be challenging for tents. This site is the furthest away but near the spot where many fish so it will not be as quiet as you might expect. Fortunately, we were able to switch sites (no one else was there!) and Site 42 was much better and like many others, had a large semi-circular drive. Many sites had a covered concrete pad with a large concrete picnic table, utility table, and lantern hook. 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. 

    Bathhouse: The sections without electricity have vault toilets, which were clean, but the flush toilets/showers are within a reasonable walking distance. These were very clean. Soap but bring your towel. 

    Activities/Amenities: Aside from fishing and boating, there are many activities you can enjoy here including volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and basketball. When the gate attendant is there, you can check out supplies for these activities. There is also a hiking trail. We saw a few people kayaking. Horses are allowed in the group camping section (Sites 54-61). 

    Perhaps it is because we had an entire section to ourselves, but we had a relaxing and peaceful stay here and would definitely return.

  • B
    Mar. 17, 2025

    Hawthorn Bluff

    Had to adapt

    Once arriving at the camp site, I discovered that the sites near the lake were very sloped making it a little difficult to find a flat spot to set up a tent. I talking to one passer-by, who was unfortunately house-less at the time, who explained that Hawthorn Bluff does not charge for camping until April 1st. I paid for my campsite as the website did not state this. I'm not upset by this because I know the fees will help maintain the park. However, this makes for some very interesting campers. The couple next to our site were having a domestic dispute where the lady sped off in her car after cussing her partner out for some time. She returned later with an 18 pack, one in her hand, and thankfully they seemed to have made up. This was hard to explain to my young kids who witnessed the whole exchange. Since they were not charging for campsites during my stay, the showers were locked and not opened as well as another restroom. There was only one opened restroom on the opposite side of the park and it had beer cans and other trash in it. 

    Nice views of the lake, but I think I'll cross this one off my list for next time.

  • Melanie W.
    Sep. 30, 2020

    Stroud Municipal Lake

    Small and quite

    It is a nice little campground that has R.V. camping and tent camping. We like camping here because the campsite is next to the shore. There are some nice camping spots under shade trees. When you want to cool off you can just walk from your campsite to the water and get in and cool off. However don't wear white when you go swimming because after you go swimming white cloths turn orange. It does have a swim beach but we like to swim privately at camp. The fishing is pretty good. There is a playground and restrooms with showers. They only have about 25 campsites that are 1st come 1st serve. Getting a campsite near holidays like the 4th of July is almost impossible unless you go days early to get a spot. The campsites have picnic tables, grills and a fire ring. They also have trails for riding horses. Camping with electric is $18.00 Senior citizens (55 and up) and disabled citizens is $15.00 Primitive camping is$8.00

Guide to Tulsa

Tent camping near Tulsa, Oklahoma offers a variety of scenic spots perfect for outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy nature and unwind.

Tent campers appreciate these amenities

  • Verdigris River provides essential amenities like picnic tables and firewood, making it a great choice for a comfortable camping experience.
  • Three Ponds Community features drinking water, showers, and toilets, ensuring a pleasant stay for tent campers.
  • Huge Great Bus Camping offers a unique experience with firewood available for a small fee and a tranquil setting for relaxation.

Local activities for outdoor enthusiasts

  • At Newt Graham Lock and Dam, visitors can enjoy hiking and fishing, making it a popular spot for those looking to explore the outdoors.
  • Oologah Lake is perfect for fishing and boating, providing ample opportunities for water activities.
  • Sunset Bay allows for boat-in access, making it easy to enjoy a day on the water.

Unique local attractions to explore

  • The serene environment at Clermont - Oologah Lake offers a peaceful retreat for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
  • Estes Park provides a convenient location for RV and tent camping, with easy access to local attractions in Tulsa.
  • The picturesque views and wildlife at New Mannford Ramp make it an ideal spot for nature lovers and photographers alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best tent camping spots near Tulsa, OK?

For tent camping near Tulsa, Okmulgee & Dripping State Park Campground offers excellent options on the shores of a great bass fishing lake. While facilities are somewhat limited, the park's off-the-beaten-path location provides a peaceful camping experience. Another good option is Three Ponds Community, which provides a unique experience with A-frame structures available and beautiful land for traditional tent camping. Firewood is provided for a small fee, and the property features scenic outdoor areas. Both locations are within easy driving distance of Tulsa, making them convenient weekend getaways for tent campers.

What campgrounds in Tulsa OK allow tent camping?

Verdigris River provides tent camping options near Tulsa with access to Oologah Lake. This small campground is particularly well-suited for tent campers needing a quick place to rest for a day or two, with beautiful hiking trails nearby. Huge Great Bus Camping is a private camping option west of Ramona that explicitly allows tents. This primitive site is gradually adding upgrades, and while it doesn't have a formal address, the host meets guests to guide them in. For those seeking alternatives, Newt Graham Lock and Dam area offers camping at the nearby Bluff, though getting there requires navigating some rough roads.

Are there any lakeside tent camping areas near Tulsa?

Yes, there are several lakeside tent camping options near Tulsa. Sequoyah Bay State Park Campground offers easy, level sites with some premium spots located right by the water. The waterfront sites provide direct lake access, though they can be more challenging to navigate. Jackson Bay Recreation Area is another lakeside option with gorgeous water views. The area is fairly quiet and offers primitive camping right near the water. While there aren't many amenities (no trash receptacles), the beautiful lakeside setting makes up for the lack of facilities. Both parks provide excellent opportunities for fishing, swimming, and water recreation.

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