Camping opportunities around Stidham, Oklahoma center on Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma's largest lake spanning 102,000 acres with 600 miles of shoreline. The area sits at approximately 585 feet elevation with summer humidity levels reaching 70-80%. Many campgrounds remain accessible year-round with fall and spring offering milder temperatures compared to summer highs that frequently exceed 90°F.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Lake Eufaula provides excellent fishing for catfish, crappie, and bass. The lake is known for its productive fishing spots accessible from several campgrounds including Gentry Creek Landing where visitors can find "Lots of families with children playing in the lake" according to Brian V.
Shoreline exploration: Walk dedicated trails to access Lake Eufaula from campgrounds like Deep Fork Campground. A visitor noted that from their campsite they enjoyed a "Short hike down to the water. There was a beach on the south end near the amphitheater and nature center."
Visit the nature center: The nature center at Lake Eufaula State Park offers educational exhibits about local wildlife and ecology. One camper at Deep Fork Campground mentioned "The nature center was a fun surprise, and the staffer was enthusiastic and friendly."
Holiday light displays: During winter holidays, Lake Eufaula State Park features festive lighting. A December visitor at Deep Fork Campground shared: "Once the sun went down we noticed a massive Christmas lighting display up near the RV portion. This made the trip!"
What campers like
Privacy and space: Many campgrounds offer well-spaced sites with natural barriers. At Turkey Flat Campground, one camper noted, "Spacious and paved pads with nature all around. Bathrooms were clean and showers excellent."
Clean facilities: Campground bathhouses receive regular maintenance, with some featuring air conditioning. A visitor to Deep Fork Campground reported, "The restroom was open near our site. HEATED!" Another camper at Lake Eufaula — Arrowhead State Park mentioned that the "facilities are very clean, would stay here again."
Wildlife viewing: Opportunities to observe deer, armadillos, birds, and other wildlife abound. At Turkey Flat Campground, a reviewer appreciated the "Spacious and paved pads with nature all around," while a camper at Arrowhead State Park mentioned seeing "plenty of deer and an armadillo or two."
Lake views and access: Many sites offer direct or nearby lake views. At Gentry Creek Landing, James C. said they were "right on the lake with beach access to enter. Water and electric hook ups at all spots with a central dumping station."
What you should know
Seasonal closures: Some campgrounds have limited operating seasons. Gentry Creek Landing operates from "April 1 to September 29" according to their information.
Reservation requirements: Certain campgrounds require advance reservations, while others allow walk-ins. At Belle Starr Park Campground, "You must book the sites online through the recreation.gov website. The gates to this campground close at 10 pm & reopen at 6 am."
Water level fluctuations: Lake levels can change dramatically affecting shoreline access. One visitor to Belle Starr Park noted, "Eufaula Lake was muddy and not very appealing" during their visit, indicating conditions vary.
Gate hours: Many campgrounds enforce strict entry/exit hours. At Belle Starr Park, "In emergencies between 10 pm & 6 am you can exit the campground but can not re-enter as there are tire spikes."
Highway noise: Some campgrounds experience road noise. One visitor to Checotah-Lake Eufaula KOA stayed in "site 13, closest to the highway along with two cabins and the playground. Extremely noisy so if traffic bothers you request a site towards the back."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Several campgrounds feature play areas and organized activities. At Checotah-Lake Eufaula KOA, a visitor mentioned "a park for the kiddos" among the amenities, while another noted they have "a fully stocked fishing pond, volleyball court, kids playground and sandbox."
Swimming options: Designated swimming areas provide safe water recreation. Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort offers "Pool, bouncy houses, witbit, swim beach, schedule activities, kayaks, putt putt, etc. They also have a cafe with a lot of cheap food (hint: get the meat lovers pizza)."
Site selection for families: Request sites away from highway noise and near amenities. A visitor to Checotah-Lake Eufaula KOA advised: "You might want to be close if you have kids and far from it if you don't."
Plan for weather: Summer heat requires preparation. A camper at Turkey Flat Campground mentioned: "We had a short stay and that's good because the sewer connection was not draining. We made it work with such a short stay."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Many campgrounds have uneven sites requiring leveling equipment. A visitor to Gentry Creek Landing observed that at their campsite (#33), "The site is not level and would be appropriate only for shorter RVs."
Hookup considerations: Full-hookup sites vary in quality and placement. At Checotah-Lake Eufaula KOA, a visitor noted their "Full hookup (sewer, water, 50 AMP)" site was a "Pull thru site" that was "Level" but a "Dirt site."
Site width challenges: Some RV pads are particularly narrow. At Belle Starr Park, one camper reported: "The site was asphalt, which was nice, but very narrow. My RV is only 8 ft wide and it took up the entire width."
Water connection planning: Bring extra water hoses as some sites have distant hookups. A camper at Belle Starr Park advised: "Some sites have water located on site, some have water located about 40 ft away (bring extra water hoses), and some have no water."
