Grand Lake State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Grand Lake State Park in northeast Oklahoma boasts one of the largest lakes in the state. Spanning 46,000 surface acres, Grand Lake winds its way along the stunning Neosho River. Guests are welcome to hike, camp, boat, fish, view wildlife and much more. The state park around this beautiful lake is split into six main areas with various amenities like RV campgrounds, swimming beaches, playgrounds, trails, picnic sites, well-lit boat ramps and modern restrooms. The Disney Area is for day use and includes a parking lot as well as picnic tables and wide-open fields perfect for sports and enjoying the view. Consider stopping by in September to take part in the annual Pelican Festival, which includes arts and crafts booths, food stalls, carnival games, and live music.
Spring 39-78 F
Summer 66-92 F
Fall 38-84 F
Winter 27-51 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Grand Lake State Park
Grand Lake's Bernice Area offers 33 RV campsites with water and 50-amp electric hookups. These sites are close to the water and a popular, family-friendly swimming area. There are two comfort stations, several boat ramps and various picnic areas. You'll find 12 pull-through RV sites with full hookups in the Cherokee Area. The spots in the Honey Creek Area are open year-round. This area also includes amenities like a dump station and an outdoor swimming pool. Finally, the Twin Bridges Area requires reservations for its RV campsites. Twin Bridges is one of the most popular areas that also includes for-rent lakeside huts.
What to Do at
Grand Lake State Park
With more than 1,300 miles of shoreline, this lake offers visitors plenty of room to sunbathe, fish, and search for unique lake rocks and shells. If you plan to boat, you're sure to adore the scenic views of the Ozark Mountain foothills. The lake is also known to have predictable winds, making it a hot spot for sailboats.
Fishing
In the northwestern corner of the lake, the Bernice Area is known for its exceptional bass and crappie fishing. Anglers flock here during the warmer season to catch hybrid stripers, bluegills and large catfish. This lake also has a huge population of prehistoric paddlefish.
Nature Watching
Some of the most commonly spotted animals here include red-tailed hawks, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, black swallowtails, horned lizards and snapping turtles. The Ozarks also are home to a few rarely seen predator species like black bears, coyotes, red and gray foxes and bobcats.
Stargazing
The best spot on Grand Lake for stargazing is along the northern and western shores far from the nearby cities. Make sure to check the weather forecast for clear skies and bring a red flashlight to improve your night vision. New moon nights tend to be the darkest, guaranteeing better views of the stars. Oklahoma's Milky Way season starts in late spring and lasts until the beginning of fall.
Flora and Fauna
For many decades, logging was one of the most successful industries in the Ozark region. Today, the land is populated with gorgeous pine, hickory, maple and dogwood trees. Other local plants to search for are the Indian blanket flower, willow oak, meadow flower, prairie shoestring and blue wild indigo.
Hiking
The Bernice Area has a mile-long, paved and accessible trail that weaves along the lake's shore. Particularly popular with nature lovers, this path will take you past a wildlife feeding area and into two wildlife viewing areas. There's also a 2.4-mile trail in the Disney Area that's primarily designated for off-roaders but allows hikers as well.
Boating
Grand Lake is approximately 66 miles long and permits a variety of watercraft such as houseboats, pontoons, muscle boats, sailboats and cigarette boats. You can also rent water skis, paddleboards, wakeboards and floating pads. Most of the state park's areas provide at least boat ramps, but the Twin Bridges Area has a sizable marina and fishing center.
Swimming
You're welcome to swim directly in the lake or the park's outdoor swimming pool. Many of the swimming areas are shallow and perfect for kids. For your safety, you should always try to swim with others and bring your own flotation devices. Amenities can vary depending on the area, but you'll typically have access to showers, restrooms and playgrounds.
How to Get to
Grand Lake State Park
To reach the park's Bernice Area, head east on E. Highway 85A. The Twin Bridges Area is about 20 miles north of Copeland. From E. Highway 59, turn right onto S. Highway 125. After about five miles, take a right on W. Conner Avenue. Turn left onto E. Highway 137 until you can merge onto E. 140 Road. Follow the park's signs to reach the entrance.
Entering Grand Lake State Park
To park at Grand Lake State Park, you'll need to buy a parking pass for your bus, passenger vehicle or motorcycle. Guests who are hauling watercraft will want to take advantage of the hangtag with your marina slip rental. This tag is only valid in the marina parking lot. You'll need a separate parking pass to park in any of the other lots. Grand Lake State Park is open daily throughout the year. Certain facilities, like the Bernice Area Nature Center, will experience schedule changes depending on the time of year. For example, this center is open Wednesday through Sunday between March and October. From November to February, it's open Monday through Friday.
Grand Lake State Park Entry Fee (daily, per vehicle) : $10.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Grand Lake State Park
If you don’t mind the crowds, you can head to Grand Lake in the summer for ample swimming, boating and hiking opportunities. The less-busy spring is a great time for wildlife viewing, wildflower blooms and fishing.
Local wildlife species include raccoons, eastern gray squirrels, opossums, deer and foxes. Look to the sky to see black-capped vireos, blackbirds, painted buntings, northern cardinals and mourning doves.
Of the six areas around Grand Lake State Park, four of them offer RV campsites. You'll find 60 RV sites in the Twin Bridges Area and another 33 spots in the Bernice Area.
Reservations are required to camp in the Twin Bridges Area. Rates start as low as $25 a night, and the full cost of your stay is due at the time of reservation.
Pets are welcome in the campgrounds and on the hiking trails here as long as they're kept on a leash no longer than 10 feet. Owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets and keeping them under control and away from wildlife.