Lake Thunderbird State Park RV & Campground Guide
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Head to Cleveland County in Oklahoma to visit the popular 1,874-acre Lake Thunderbird State Park. You can expect two large marinas, two swimming beaches, and nine boat ramps open to visitors. Camping enthusiasts won't want to miss out on utilizing the many picnic shelters, full-hookup sites, and playgrounds. Along with plenty of hiking and biking trails, you'll also have the option to explore the equestrian paths and obstacles as well as the archery range. One of the park's hotspots is its Discovery Cove Nature Center in the Clear Bay area, which offers valuable insight into the region and thrilling hands-on animal experiences. Nearby Cities: • Norman, OK • Oklahoma City, OK • Tecumseh, OK • Chickasha, OK
Spring 40-80 F
Summer 67-94 F
Fall 39-86 F
Winter 28-54 F
RV Resorts & Campsites in Lake Thunderbird State Park
Lake Thunderbird State Park • Water hookup: Yes • Electrical hookup: Yes • Sewer hookup: Yes • Wi-Fi: No • Pet-friendly: Yes • Max RV length: 60 feet • Other amenities: Dump station, playground, picnic pavilion
Lake Thunderbird State Park Campground
There are 271 Lake Thunderbird State Park campsites spread out over 11 separate campgrounds. Each campground offers a dump station. Thirty campsites provide full hookups. Restroom facilities with flush toilets are spaced throughout the park. Bathhouses with warm showers are centrally located in each of the 11 campgrounds. Recreational trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding wander around the lake and among the wooded areas surrounding it. The central focus of the park for most visitors is Lake Thunderbird. It is stocked with abundant largemouth bass, crappie, sunfish, channel catfish, white bass, and saugeye.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30 amps
Sewer Hookup: Yes, for 30 RV sites
Wi-Fi Available: No
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $21 to $40 per night
Pecan Grove RV Resort
Thirty-seven miles southeast of Lake Thunderbird State Park lies Pecan Grove RV Resort. The resort offers 110 RV campsites, nine of which are pull-throughs and 101 are back-ins. All the campsites are 39 feet in width, leaving plenty of room for any slide-outs RVs may support. Each site has room for two vehicles aside from the RV. Pull-through sites are 92 feet in length, so you don't even need to unhook your rig to stay the night. Back-in sites handle rigs up to 70 feet in length. Every campsite is equipped with a picnic table and fire ring. A dump station is provided by the park. Two bathhouses provide hot showers. Restrooms with flush toilets are spaced throughout the resort. Two laundry facilities are available. To protect visitors during weather events, the facility has two storm shelters large enough to handle the resort's entire population. A playground and grilling station are also available.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 20/30/50 amp
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $35 to $40 per night
Twin Fountains RV Park
Located in Oklahoma City, Twin Fountains RV Park features 152 RV campsites, each with a fire ring and picnic table. The campsites are 34 feet in width, leaving plenty of room for any slide-outs. Forty of the sites are pull-through and are 75 feet in length; the remaining sites are back-ins that accommodate rigs up to 45 feet. The park features restrooms with flush toilets, warm showers, and laundry facilities. A dump station and a staffed RV wash station are provided by the park. A swimming pool is open during daylight hours, and a hot tub lets you relax in the evenings. A fully stocked pond lets guests fish, and a playground allows children to work off excess energy. The park provides a dog park. A rec hall with a game room, horseshoe pits, and shuffleboard is open well into the evening to help guests unwind. Cable TV is piped into each site.
Water Hookup: Yes
Electric Hookup: 30/50
Sewer Hookup: Yes
Wi-Fi Available: Yes
Pet-friendly: Yes
Fee: $45 per night
What to Do at
Lake Thunderbird State Park
There are plenty of family-friendly activities to enjoy at Lake Thunderbird State Park, from paddling or canoeing to identifying local bird species. During hunting season, you're welcome to track waterfowl or try your hand at deer archery. The Nature Center hosts educational programs for kids of all ages interested in learning more about Oklahoma's stunning landscape.
Inside Lake Thunderbird State Park
Lake Thunderbird State Park is known for its fishing opportunities and its special youth programs. Each year, the park sponsors sailing lessons, sailing camps, fun regattas, competitive sailing races, and an annual fishing derby for developmentally delayed children. Two casinos are in the park as well as a restaurant reachable by boat or car. Equestrian, hiking, biking, and nature trails are available for use by visitors. Other water activities on Lake Thunderbird include water skiing, recreational boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.
Fishing
Feel free to fish from the shoreline or a boat for white bass, catfish, crappie, sunfish, and largemouth bass. The Calypso Cove Marina conveniently sells bait, tackle, and other fishing supplies. The lake's shoreline spans almost 60 miles and has a surface area of about 5,377 acres. You'll find a fishing pier by Calypso Cove and another to the northeast in the Little Axe Area.
Geocaching
A geocache was placed in this park as part of the state's Discover Oklahoma tourism program. You can find it with your smartphone or a GPS device. Once you do, you can sign the logbook and take a memento. However, remember to leave an item in the container for the next geocacher.
Nature Watching
Throughout the year, you're likely to spot white-tailed deer, opossums, red-bellied woodpeckers, screech owls, ground squirrels, mockingbirds, and raccoons. If you stop by in the summer, you can see turkey vultures, kingbirds, cattle egrets, belted kingfishers, and orchard orioles.
Flora
Some of the local plants at this state park include wavyleaf thistle, eastern redbud, garden vetch, and soapweed yucca. The lake at the center is surrounded by lush rolling hills and forests full of American elm, green ash, black hickory, pecan, and sugarberry trees.
Hiking
There are two novice trails that total 2.5 miles and two additional intermediate paths spanning a separate six miles. The 10-mile expert trail starts near the South Dam. It runs over significant hurdles like the Lumber Yard, Dragoo's Ragoo, Rock Drop, and Quadzilla.
Boating
Consider using one of the two marinas or boat ramps to launch your canoe, raft, boat, or kayak. Tubing, paddleboarding, and waterskiing are also allowed, and you'll find various watercraft rentals available at the marina. You don't need a parking permit to park near the boat ramps.
Swimming
The lake at this park often maintains a strong red color due to the natural clay formations. Be aware that frequent swimming can lead to stained clothing and bathing suits. A large, shallow swimming area near the boat ramps is great for kids and pets. As there is never a lifeguard on duty, all visitors swim at their own risk.
Biking
Many of the adventurous trails here are suited to both hikers and bikers. Keep a watch out for signs prohibiting mountain biking near the Nature Center and South Dam.
How to Get to
Lake Thunderbird State Park
If you're coming in from Norman, you only have to drive about 13 miles east on Alameda Drive. You can also reach this park by traveling 11 miles south on I-40 and taking Exit 166 or by driving 15 miles on Highway 9. Downtown Oklahoma City is less than 40 minutes away to the north.
Entering Lake Thunderbird State Park
Rather than an entrance fee, Oklahoma state parks charge parking fees. Parking permits are required to use the recreational lots around the park. These passes aren't required to park at the picnic areas, boat ramps, and other developed facilities.
Lake Thunderbird State Park Entry fee for vehicles : $10.0
Frequently Asked Questions About Lake Thunderbird State Park
Summer is a wonderful time to visit this park. You can spend days swimming, jet skiing, boating, and walking the many trails. During this time of year, the weather is pleasantly warm, and there's not much precipitation.
Lake Thunderbird State Park is a haven for birders looking to glimpse bobwhite quails, song sparrows, great herons, American coots, and killdeer. There are also significant populations of white-tailed deer, beavers, gray and red foxes, cottontail rabbits, and gray squirrels.
Camping accommodations in the campground include more than 200 RV campsites, with about 30 boasting full hookups. Many of the sites are pull-through and offer 30/50-amp electrical hookups. Don't forget to check out the charming waterfront spots that offer direct lake access.
All Oklahoma State Parks require you to reserve your site ahead of time. You can make your reservation online or by calling Lake Thunderbird State Park directly. Campsites cost $15 to $40 per night.
You're welcome to bring your pet into the camping areas. They must always be secured in a crate or on a leash. When walking the trails, be sure to keep your pet away from any wildlife, and you are responsible for cleaning up after them.
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