Campgrounds near Catoosa, Oklahoma primarily consist of developed RV parks and established campgrounds along nearby waterways. Several options include Claremore Expo RV Park, located just north in Claremore, and Tulsa NE-Will Rogers Downs KOA to the northeast. Most facilities accommodate both tent and RV camping, with several sites offering full hookups including electric, water, and sewer connections. Hawthorn Bluff and Blue Creek campgrounds provide alternatives with waterfront access, while facilities closer to Tulsa like Expo Square RV Park cater primarily to visitors attending events rather than those seeking traditional camping experiences.
Access to most campgrounds in the area remains consistent year-round, though several waterfront locations like Hawthorn Bluff operate seasonally from April through October. Many facilities require advance reservations, particularly during summer weekends and local events. Weather conditions typically permit comfortable camping from spring through fall, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Bathroom and shower facilities vary significantly between locations, with several campers noting maintenance issues at some sites. As one visitor remarked about Bluff Landing, "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."
Waterfront camping receives consistently positive feedback, particularly at sites along the Verdigris River. Campers value the blend of natural settings with proximity to urban amenities. Bluff Landing earns mention for its quiet riverside location and boat launch access, though reviews note variable maintenance of facilities. Several campgrounds feature large shade trees and spacious sites, particularly those converted from former mobile home parks. A camper described Bluff Landing as "just a few miles East of Broken Arrow and sits pretty much right on the bank of the Verdegris river. We took our kayaks out to enjoy the beautiful sunset!" Security concerns appear in some reviews, suggesting travelers should practice standard precautions with valuables. Most camping options remain conveniently located within 30 minutes of Tulsa, offering both outdoor recreation and urban conveniences.
"This is a great location for RVers that want the conveniences and/or are wanting to see the local area."
$10 - $50 / night
"Great location with lots of shade. Also, very close to the playground. Easy spot to back-in and is very level. Only downside is that you must be back in the park by 10:00 PM."
"Lake side spots are not advisable if you have little ones, the bluffs are very close to the fire pits and have about a 30ft drop."
$40 / night
"Laundromat was functional and centrally located. Space 719 was just long enough for trailer but we were allowed to park our truck in the space next to it. Wifi was strong where we were parked."
"Was camping here for a horse fair and loved being able to walk to the barns and festival grounds. Laundry, showers, bathrooms on-site and security code locked."
$18 / night
"My friend and I arrived late at night - around ten pm - and even then the camp host came around to kindly make sure we had our reservation, which made us glad to know the place was secure."
$24 - $50 / night
"Nice lakeside campground. Electric at every site and communal water spigots. Flush toilets and showers. Site has a playground, disc golf course, volleyball, basketball hoop."
"I have been going to Skiatook Lake almost all of my life with friends and family to boat and enjoy the beaches."
$42 / night
"Horse track and casino were well within walking distance from the camp sites. Quiet location, just off the highway. Highway could not be heard from inside our camper."
"Lots of restaurants close by."
$16 - $50 / night
"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."
"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)."
RangerHave been here almost a week of our month booking. I am not dissatisfied. The current owner is very nice (property is currently for sale). There is a laundry room, bath house and propane fill on site. Lots of grassy areas for pet people and an easy commute for shopping. There is traffic noise as it is off a busy road, music or TV drowns it out. (Will update review with any new info and photos before we leave)
LegendWhile the camp spots are neat and right on the water I have a feeling there's a lot of traffic through the park for the beach and the boat ramp. There's only 2 pit toilets close to the actual camping area. The other more modern bathrooms are actually a lot closer to the beach. Primitive camping, only I see two spigots for six or seven areas and a few trees, so you'd be pretty much exposed most of the day.
LegendNot only is the campground very nice, but they actually have a trail system which is the only campground to have that in the area. They have both tent camping regular R. V. Camping and equestrian spots with appropriate services for the horses.
LegendThis is a super nice park. And every spot has a view because of the peninsula and the way they've used the shape of the hill. It's very nice. There's a dump station. There's a bathroom, it's closed. I haven't been able to see it. Cause it's winter and then two sets of pit toilets, and one would get some traffic because of the boat and the boat dock down at the end. There are 2 things that make this special one. The beach is very big, very long and 2. They have a huge atrium outside which is quite nice. I would assume big families would love to use it. Last and interestingly, you can see the 2 other campsites on the lake. But getting to the one is like a 20 mile trip. It would be faster to boat over and see it.
LegendI agree with the review right before mine. It has water pit bathrooms. Some of the primitive spots are very nice. It's what you expect in a corps of engineer site. Low close to the road, but all in not bad. If you want more services less than a mile away is the R. V campground which is very nice.
LegendThis is really a nice campground with nice sized spots. All amenities, straight view of the lake. And far away from a road. It's a bit of a drive to get back to it, but I'm guessing it is less utilized by the locals and has more space available during the summer.
LegendSo far, there are 3 campgrounds in this area. One blackjack, 5 spots RV. The second one is red oak. Lots of spots r v hookups. The third one is, this 1 called Hickory point. Adorable spots around the outside. Hook ups fifty amp, thirty amp and a bathroom that is ancient and really needs replacement.
LegendThis is a small primitive campground. With about 15 sites first, come first. Serve water two toilets access to a beach access to a boat ramp and a fishing dock. Pretty rustic, but probably quite nice in the summer. Under the trees, the bathrooms could use some serious upgrades and are in pretty rough shape. But maybe they take better care of them in the summer.
LegendSo I wish I could give this a better review but it's missing signage. I have no idea how to pay for the spot. There's no bathroom here and the only working pit toilet bathroom before this is closed and there's a lot of trash in the treason in the lake. Also I think they don't have very good maintenance on their trails. And right now granted this is February. There seems to be a tremendous amount of burn zone around us. And the trail goes right into it. It was frustrating last night to pull in and not know how to properly pay for the site. I don't want to steal from the city. This is also by the way, not a state park. It is a city run and city managed system. These are nice spots, but no idea how to access other services. Last, and this isn't the park's fault, but red oaks is right beside me and the gps point and directions for red oaks are really screwed up and take you somewhere fifty miles south of here.
Camping sites near Catoosa, Oklahoma generally offer convenient access points within 30 minutes of major urban centers. The region sits at approximately 600 feet above sea level with a humid subtropical climate that creates mild winters and hot summers. Average summer temperatures reach into the 90s from June through August, with spring and fall providing more moderate temperatures in the 60-80°F range.
Water recreation on Lake Oologah: Several campgrounds offer direct water access for boating and fishing. At Blue Creek, "Right off the water. Clean bathrooms/showers. Quiet place to camp," notes Matt K. The lake provides multiple activity options as Lee D. mentions, "Aside from fishing and boating, there are many activities you can enjoy here including volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and basketball."
Wildlife viewing and hiking: The region offers opportunities for nature observation. At Tall Chief Cove, campers can access multiple natural areas. Bonnie A. reports they "stayed in B39 with a lake view and saw lots of bird wildlife." The Skiatook area features "multiple areas to hike, kayak, fish, or boat in the area," according to Vance D.
Gaming and entertainment: Some campgrounds provide proximity to casinos and entertainment venues. Several RV parks cater specifically to visitors attending local events. Robert O. noted about Tulsa NE-Will Rogers Downs KOA, "Nice clean campground, level sites FHU. Everything worked as expected. Easy friendly check-in. Would definitely stay here again."
Waterfront proximity: Many campers value sites that offer direct water views or access. Hannah C. describes Blue Creek as having a "gorgeous setting" and mentions, "view of the lake was gorgeous. Will definitely be back!" Similarly, Randy S. recommends site A22 at Tall Chief Cove since "it's right on the water with a place for a boat and great area for swimming."
Spacious sites: Former mobile home parks converted to RV sites offer unusually large camping areas. Richard G. comments about Cherry Hill Mobile Home & RV Park, "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."
Convenient amenities: Campers appreciate facilities that provide comfort during their stay. At Honcho RV Park, Alexis P. reports, "The facilities are absolutely incredible. The nicest bathrooms I've seen on my cross country trip. A little pricey at $67 per night, but they make it worth it with the excellent facilities."
Seasonal operations: Many waterfront campgrounds have limited seasonal availability. Blue Creek operates "April 1 to September 30" while Lee D. notes, "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 selection challenges: Not all sites are created equal within campgrounds. Lee D. shares their experience at Blue Creek: "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."
Urban vs. rural experiences: Some camping options near Catoosa function primarily as overnight stops rather than nature retreats. Jennifer D. clarifies about Expo Square RV Park, "This is a great place for Rv's but it's not for camping. People stay here when there are events in town at the expo center such as huge horse shows, gun shows, the fair etc."
Water safety preparation: When camping at lakeside locations, bring appropriate safety gear. Lee D. observed at Blue Creek that "we saw a few people kayaking," and several sites mention swimming areas. At Tall Chief Cove, Randy S. recommends site A22 for its "great area for swimming."
Activity supplies: Many campgrounds offer recreational facilities but require equipment. At Blue Creek, Lee D. notes, "When the gate attendant is there, you can check out supplies for these activities." This includes "volleyball, horseshoes, bean bag toss, and basketball."
Facility research: Check ahead about bathroom conditions for family comfort. JULIE A. warns about Claremore Expo RV Park, "However only one shower was working and the two toilets are not enclosed. It was okay for the one night that we stayed but we won't go back."
Water hookup planning: Some sites require advance preparation for water access. Randy S. advises about Tall Chief Cove site A22: "The only inconvenience is this site is farthest from the shared water source. They do however allow a splitter valve. Best to fill your tank before heading out, bring 200' of hose, or bring a couple water containers."
Leveling challenges: Be prepared for uneven terrain at certain campgrounds. Liz R. from Tall Chief Cove mentions, "We have camped here several times with friends and share the same site, with spots for two campers; right on the lake." However, Dennis P. notes, "Didn't care for the slope of our site, but there were only a couple available when we booked it."
Security considerations: Assess campground security before making reservations. Bianca B. warns about Bluff Landing: "Pretty sure the people who tend to this are thieves. My family's camper was broken into and our truck was stolen from this place. The people did not care or offer any help because they run a scam."
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Catoosa, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, Catoosa, OK offers a wide range of camping options, with 135 campgrounds and RV parks near Catoosa, OK and 2 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Catoosa, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Catoosa, OK is Claremore Expo RV Park with a 3.5-star rating from 6 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Catoosa, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 2 free dispersed camping spots near Catoosa, OK.
What parks are near Catoosa, OK?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 22 parks near Catoosa, OK that allow camping, notably Skiatook Lake and Oologah Lake.
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