Known as Oklahoma's “heaven in the hills,” Tenkiller State Park offers a peaceful getaway in beautiful Green Country. Guests will enjoy an abundance of recreational opportunities on Lake Tenkiller as well as in the park, including swim beaches, a swimming pool, a children’s fishing pond, hiking trails and more. Rent a one, two or three bedroom cabin, or claim a spot in one of Tenkiller’s 10 campgrounds. Plan your trip to Tenkiller State Park and use this overview as an insider’s guide to where to camp, where to swim and what to see during your Lake Tenkiller vacation.
Arriving at the Park
Tenkiller State Park in Vian is located on the southeast side of Lake Tenkiller. If arriving from the west, take I-40 to Exit 287 and follow Highway 100 N through the towns of Webbers Falls and Gore. Continue on Highway 100 and cross over the dam into the park. If arriving from the east on I-40, take Exit 297. Drive north for 10 miles on Highway 82 where you’ll cross through Vian. Turn left onto Highway 100 and drive three miles south to the park.
To reach the park cabin, turn onto Tenkiller Drive and drive for approximately half a mile. Follow the gentle curve around to the left and the office will be located on the right.
South Campgrounds:
Bluff View Tent Campground
Beginning at the intersection of Highway 100 and Tenkiller Drive, head northwest on Tenkiller Drive and take the second left. You’ll pass the swimming pool on the right before branching off to the left at the Y. A scattering of giant boulders adorns Bluff View Tent Campground, and some sites are almost surrounded by the large stones offering additional privacy from other campers. This campground offers 21 primitive sites, and each one has a grill and picnic table. Guests camping at Bluff View will enjoy a beautiful view of Lake Tenkiller.
Cedar Ridge Tent Campground
Located directly across from the park office, the Cedar Ridge Tent Campground is a great tent campground if you’re looking for privacy. There are only five campsites available, and the area is extremely wooded. Neither electric nor water hookups are available, but the campground is conveniently located near a swim beach.
Fisherman’s Point Campground
From the intersection of Highway 100 and Tenkiller Drive, take Tenkiller Drive all the way to the end of the road. Fisherman’s Point Campground is located near the mouth of Pine Cove near the underwater scuba park. This area is perfect for day use by scuba divers, as there are on-site restrooms and covered picnic areas available. For guests interested in camping, there are 27 primitive tent sites available.
Eagle Point Tent Campground
From the intersection of Highway 100 and Tenkiller Drive, take the fourth right, which will be just across the street from the nature center. The Eagle Point Tent Campground offers a great view of the lake and is within walking distance from the swimming beach. A total of 15 primitive campsites are available.
Fox Squirrel & Flying Squirrel RV Campgrounds
The most popular campground for RV campers is the Fox Squirrel RV Campground. Located just to the right of the Highway 100 and Tenkiller Drive entrance, these campgrounds offer a total of 52 sites. The Fox Squirrel Campground offers electric, water and sewer hookups. Four of the 26 sites offer 50-amp hookups and 22 sites offer 30-amp hookups.
Flying Squirrel Campground also has 26 sites and is used primarily for overflow from the Fox Squirrel Campground. Each site offers 30-amp electric hookups, and three water spigots are available. The campgrounds are located within easy walking distance of the children’s fishing pond, a comfort station with restrooms and showers and a covered picnic pavilion.
North Campgrounds:
Goose Neck Bend North and South Campgrounds
Located at the extreme northeast tip of Tenkiller State Park, Goose Neck Bend North and South Campgrounds offer a combined 12 tent sites. The sites are scattered along the tip of Pine Cove, and picnic tables are set along charming hand-built stone alcoves. Enjoy beautiful views of Pine Cove at this quiet, peaceful campground.
Hickory Flats Tent Campground
From the Goose Neck Campgrounds, drive one mile west on Pine Cove Road (also called State Park Road) to the Hickory Flats Tent Campground. This campground offers 39 primitive sites, a boat ramp, courtesy dock and rentable group shelter. This area is also popular for families because of its on-site swimming beach, which is surrounded by rugged stone bluffs.
Blue Jay Knob RV Campground
From the Hickory Flats Campgrounds, drive north on Pine Cove Road and turn right at the Y. The Blue Jay Knob Campground offers 23 sites with 30-amp electric hookups, water hookups, a grill and picnic table at each site. Located at the highest point within Tenkiller State Park, Blue Jay Knob Campground is a remote campground that also has a playground with two swings for children.
Shady Grove RV Campground
From the Hickory Flats Campground, drive north on Pine Cove Road and turn left at the Y onto Shady Lane. This appropriately-named campground is nestled within mature shade trees, which gives the already small campground even more privacy. A total of 11 RV sites are available, and each comes with 30-amp electric, sewer and water hookups.
Tenkiller State Park Cabins
Tenkiller State Park offers 39 cabins tucked along the edge of Lake Tenkiller just west of the park office. The cabins can accommodate anywhere from 4-12 guests and feature rustic décor with wood accents. Cabins 1 and 2 boast a picturesque log exterior, and the remaining cabins were built with native stones. There are 22 one bedroom cabins, 16 two bedroom cabins and one three bedroom cabin.
Each of the one and two bedroom cabins are duplexes. They are equipped with central heat and air and linens for the maximum number of people that the cabin can sleep. The one bedroom cabins offer one queen-size bed and one pull-out sofa, while the two bedroom cabins feature two twin-size beds, one queen-size bed and one pull-out sofa. The three bedroom cabin has four twin-size bunk beds, two queen-size beds and two pull-out sofas. The three bedroom cabin is also handicap accessible.
Tenkiller State Park Courtyard Cottages
Tenkiller State Park offers a total of 10 courtyard cottages. The cottages are conjoined and form a U section with parking in the center. Comfortable chairs make perfect places for lounging underneath the communal covered porch. Two porch swings are also available. The cottages are located just west of the park office on Deer Run Road. Each cottage can sleep up to four people between either one queen-size and two twin-size bunk beds or one queen-size and one double bed. Common doors can be locked on either side, making the cottages a great choice for families traveling together. The courtyard cottages are closed during the winter and no kitchen facilities are available.
Other Amenities at Tenkiller State Park:
Driftwood Nature Center
Driftwood Nature Center offers a variety of interesting exhibits and naturalist programs. The on-site naturalist leads nature walks, eagle tours, hayrides, arts and crafts, star gazing and other recreational activities throughout the year. Guests are also welcome to walk through the nature center to meet the animal ambassadors who call the center home.
Pine Cove Marina & Clearwater Café
Located on Pine Cove Road between Tenkiller Drive and Goose Neck Campgrounds, the Pine Cove Marina offers everything you need for a successful day on the lake. Rent a ski boat or pontoon boat, refuel your boat, grab a snack or soda at the convenience store or stock up on items from the retail store. Pine Cove Marina also offers 361 boat slips. Also located at the marina is the Clearwater Café. The café, which is open seasonally, offers a variety of classic American favorites like cheeseburgers, steak and fish.
