Camping near Tulsa, Oklahoma offers options around Keystone Lake, Skiatook Lake, and the Verdigris River, all within 30 minutes of the city. The area's elevation ranges from 600-800 feet with hot summers reaching 95°F and mild winters. Many campgrounds remain open year-round with varying levels of amenities depending on location.
What to do
Boating and fishing at Skiatook Lake: At Tall Chief Cove, waterfront sites provide direct lake access. "Great camp ground and great boating. A good place to go and have time with the family and friends," reports one camper. The cove offers designated boat launching areas with parking nearby.
Kayaking the Verdigris River: Bluff Landing sits directly on the riverbank, making it ideal for paddlers. "We took our kayaks out to enjoy the beautiful sunset! They have decent bathrooms that were clean!" says a visitor. The boat ramp provides easy water access with minimal current in most conditions.
Hiking nature trails: Keystone State Park offers multiple walking paths connecting camping areas. "The park features a couple of trails that are good for walking, hiking, and running. Both are connected to the Lake Country campground and one of them will take you to the General Store near the park entrance," notes a camper. Trails range from 0.5-2 miles with minimal elevation changes.
What campers like
Spacious RV sites: Many campgrounds offer generous spacing compared to typical RV parks. "The RV sites are spacious as they are former mobile home sites converted to RV parking. Mostly back in but with the size of the lots it isn't difficult," notes a camper at Cherry Hill Mobile Home & RV Park.
Clean shower facilities: Keystone State Park Campground receives praise for its maintained restrooms. "One of the things we really liked about this park was that the bathrooms are new and kept clean. They also have showers that are through a separate door from the toilet side," mentions a reviewer. Several campgrounds offer code-locked bathroom facilities.
Waterfront camping: Direct water access distinguishes several sites. "Stayed in B39 with a lake view and saw lots of bird wildlife. No sewer hookup but had a nice covered pavilion, fire ring, concrete pad with a concrete patio," notes a camper at Tall Chief Cove. Many waterfront sites require advance booking, especially during summer months.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Some lakeside campgrounds fill quickly. "Reservations only so be sure to plan ahead. The best sites need to be reserved as many as 6 months in advance," advises a camper about Tall Chief Cove.
Wildlife considerations: Scorpions and snakes appear at some sites during warm months. "Campsite had scorpions at night so be prepared for that 🦂," warns a visitor to Tall Chief Cove. Snake sightings occur mostly in tall grass areas near shorelines.
Weather preparation: Summer heat affects comfort at all Tulsa-area campgrounds. "Summer gets hot around Tulsa, so pack extra water. The sites weren't perfect but it was a nice campground and will probably warrant another trip," suggests a visitor to Warrior Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Playground accessibility: Lake Sahoma offers family-friendly areas. "Clean and beautiful lake. I take my kids there every summer for camping and fishing," notes a parent. Though swimming isn't permitted, the fishing opportunities keep children engaged.
Swimming areas: Keystone State Park provides designated swimming zones. "We could walk down to the lake and jump in the water which beats having to go to a specific swim beach," reports a family camper. Rocky shorelines at some areas may require water shoes for comfort.
Noise considerations: Consider proximity to entertainment venues when booking. "There is a bar or something of the sorts and the drumming is loud and very subpar, going until late hours. Not ideal with kiddos," warns a parent about certain sections of Keystone State Park.
Tips from RVers
Urban convenience: Claremore Expo RV Park offers city amenities with camping access. "This is a great location for RVers that want the conveniences and/or are wanting to see the local area. There are many local attractions and things to do," notes an RVer. Many sites provide full hookups with city water and 30/50 amp service.
Event camping options: Several RV parks cater to fairground visitors. "We stayed in our 39' trailer for AKC National Agility Championship. Very convenient to fairgrounds events. Private bathrooms and showers were clean with code entry. Laundromat was functional and centrally located," reports a visitor about Expo Square RV Park.
Level site availability: Most RV parks offer concrete pads. "Spots are level and have full hook ups. Spots all seem to be pull through and they stack you close when full," notes a visitor to Claremore Expo RV Park. Many locations don't require leveling blocks on designated RV sites.
