Lake Carl Blackwell

Campsites are very close together. There is no picnic table and the fire grate things were all bent and not usable.

Trails poorly marked

It is beautiful out here but if more people had been out camping I hate to think how loud and crowded it would have been.

This is definitely a party campground, so if that is your thing you will enjoy. Just not my cup of tea. Sites are nice and there is room, but not private at all. Best sites in Beaver Cove are 25, 26, 27. Site 27 has shade but is hard to back into. Site 26 is the best for views if it’s not hot hot summer. Bathrooms get a no star. 2 vault toilets at campground. 2 showers you have to drive to and they are an odd set up with zero privacy and water spraying all over your towel and clean clothes. Hot water was almost non-existent. While the views are pretty, the lake is way down due to drought. Fishing looks good. I will probably look elsewhere if in this area again.

Lakeside spots are spacious and well kept. Be prepared for flying bugs. Lake is great for swimming with shallow flat bottom.

Already reviewed just adding drone pictures

Couldn't ask for a better place to spend a few weeks. I ended up buying a kyack to explore the lake. I was on the primitive site (13 is the best as super shady) the staff are very friendly and the whole place is well looked after. Didnt want to leave and absolutely would love to stay here again!

We reserve two sites side by side in the beaver cove campground. The sites are on a slight decline but pull through and we were able to make them level with our blocks. The sides have enough room for the grandkids to roam around it besides for electric and water only but offered a view of the lake and we're close by a swim area. The trees at the sides provided adequate shade for the afternoon sun and the campground offered boat ramps couple of swim areas and on-site store for gas and supplies including and after hours vending machine with propane tanks and charcoal and s'mores supplies. The dump station provided slots for three RVs at one time and well thought out. The crap ground offers hiking bicycle and horse trails that cover a large area. Wildlife was abundant with plenty of deer and Canadian geese and squirrels. The campgrounds offer some annual sites for long-term visits but there is a waiting list to be on that.

Beautiful but crowded, place where a lot of young people like to party

I was practically surrounded by water. Deer, beavers, armadillo, birds! There are many different campground areas, I stayed in Pine Grove. Bathrooms were old but not too dirty. They were heated very well. Several dump stations. Friendly staff.

The lake is owned and operated by Oklahoma State University. The grounds were well mowed, some of the structures are dated but well cared for. Super-friendly and helpful people at the permit office. The store was closed when we arrived.

The quirky bit is the number of camping spaces that are by annual permit. That means a lot of of the shore line is taken up by permanent campers, weekend campers that leave their rigs, student living and even residents (in campers). The lake being close to Stillwater, it looks like a number of students and such commute from the lake.

None of this was problematic for us, but the level of care each annual permit holder takes on their lot range from pristine to near dilapidated.

We stayed in Beaver Cove and found it to be clean, well-maintained, friendly and quiet. No real privacy buffer between sites, but the spacing was comfortable. 

The park ranger made several passes through, even though the campground was only about 1/4 occupied. 

Lots of birds, including a resident blue heron the locals named Charlie. Wonderful views of the cove. We stayed in lot 31 and a few large elm trees gave our campsite evening shade.

Nice fire rings and sturdy picnic tables.

All in all, a good stay.

I will complete this on my computer.

The amenities were very clean, some being very new. Multiple new dump stations in each area. Bathrooms were very clean. Most all campsites are right on the water. Beautiful campground. Offers Equestrian trails, hiking trails, and bicycling trails. Our favorite in-state campground.

Lake Carl Blackwell has plenty of multi-use trails however, there is no of trail camping. these results are for day hikes only. Great for kids and getting them started in hiking or as a training ground for longer hikes. The trails are well maintained.

Quiet. Not for the party going crew. Which makes it nice for quite camping. They should stick the lake though. It's a tough fishing spot.

Again, I went to OSU so this and lake McMurtry were the two nearby camping spots. It's a nice little getaway, but don't expect to be wowed. It has several campground areas to choose from and all the amenities you would need, but it's simple (and sometimes that's the best). Good place for family outings or an escape from studying. Go fishing, wander through the trees, or just sit by a campfire and drink a beer.