Camping in Tulsa

[Mister_Seth92]

Hey all!

I have been researching some areas I want to go camp in Tulsa, OK but it appears that I will be having to pay $15+ and be contained to concrete roads to get to sites... Uh..

Growing up, we would take river trips down the Arkansas and Buffalo rivers, camping along the way... I want to get back to wilderness camping where there aren't mom n pop trailers, generators, stinky sumps/outhouses...

I want to do actual wilderness stuff where I'd drive for quite awhile into the middle of nowhere, get back to basics and enjoy nature.

Anyone know of such places in Oklahoma? I can drive over to my friends' houses in New Mexico or Arkansas... but I don't want to be on the road that much on the weekends, as Id like to camp most weekends out of the year.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Friggin Idiot]

Look into places like Zink Ranch near Skiatook Lake. There's some nice areas out there, and some trails too, although little info about them. If you're really adventurous you can camp on Armadillo Island in Skiatook Lake, but you can only get there by boat.
There's a 4x4 park near Keystone Lake, but I've heard that lots of city folk ruin the camping experience near there.
Personally I've always wanted to do camping out northwest, near Wool-a-roc. It's a gorgeous area, but I don't know if there are any campsites out there.
I'll look for some more info when I get to a real computer. There's one place I've camped that would be a great place. About 30mins of offroad trail to get to the campsite.

 

[Mister_Seth92]

Rock on! Thanks for the info, I will look into those places!

 

[Mister_Seth92]

Look into places like Zink Ranch near Skiatook Lake. There's some nice areas out there, and some trails too, although little info about them. If you're really adventurous you can camp on Armadillo Island in Skiatook Lake, but you can only get there by boat.
There's a 4x4 park near Keystone Lake, but I've heard that lots of city folk ruin the camping experience near there.
Personally I've always wanted to do camping out northwest, near Wool-a-roc. It's a gorgeous area, but I don't know if there are any campsites out there.
I'll look for some more info when I get to a real computer. There's one place I've camped that would be a great place. About 30mins of offroad trail to get to the campsite.

AWESOME. Thank you for the info! Ill look into those places

 

[Friggin Idiot]

So Zink Ranch doesn't seem to be more than a Boy Scout camp. The area I had been thinking of that was 30 mins off the paved road is actually private property, and the link I had to it has passed away.

Armadillo Island is still an option, but no 4x4 fun to be had if you can't get the truck to the campsite. It's also still a little cold to enjoy nothing but lake days, but it's a great place to enjoy come Jul/Aug when it's scorching. It's also the most spartan campsite I've ever used. There's only room for a half dozen tents, and no water, pads, power, or potties.
Also I've heard good things about the usually very deserted Bull Creek camping area. I've never stayed at Twin Points or Tall Chief, but they are much more improved and you said you wanted to get off the pavement. You could also try some of the many many oil "roads" around there. There's lots of oil wells, and they need serviced, usually by trucks, so there are trails all over the place around Skiatook Lake. Keep in mind much of it is private property so you're likely to run into a few gates or chains.
Also the SkyDiving place isn't far, and is running their spring specials.

For Keystone lake there's actually 2 off-road parks, although only White Water ORV Area is open to 4x4. Appalachia Bay ORV aka Motorcycle Island has a campground on site. I've also heard it's great if you have smaller vehicles.

For trails, there's some good info over at TulsaOffRoad. The Disney area is over by Grand Lake (of the Cherokees), and there's surely plenty of campsites around there as it's a big recreational area. It also hosts the Bassmaster Classic every now and again.
You could also hit up Sam's Offroad shop for other good information, or just a bunch of stuff to drool over!

 

[Be_Original]

City of Tahlehquah was nice when the family and I went up to visit. The Illinois river is a big attraction, you can float downriver for about an hour, hour and a half
Illinois River Float Trips and Camping | TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site