Oklahoma Camping Guide

American Horse Lake is one of those lakes constructed by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation back in the 60′s. This beautiful lake is located in Blaine County, just a few miles West of Geary. It has about a hundred surface acres, so it’s not a huge lake by any means. But according to the ODWC, the deepest point is 75 feet!

Don’t expect to find many modern camping facilities here. In fact, don’t expect to find any at all! But if you’re into primitive camping in serene surroundings, then American Horse Lake is what you’re looking for! It’s one of my favorite places to camp in Oklahoma.

There is a boat ramp but it can be difficult to launch at times due to having to back out pretty far to get the boat floated off. It helps to have someone with you! There is also a water well and some picnic tables available, but the modern conveniences stop there!

I just love this lake. It’s always so peaceful there. The lake itself is a jewel. It has all types of the fish you want; Bass, Crappie, Catfish and Bluegill. It’s a great lake for kayaking or canoeing. There are some pleasure boaters, but not many. Mostly fishermen.

As with any primitive type camping, make sure you have all the necessities you need before going. The surrounding area consist of what I call scrub brush. Short, choppy black jack trees and other types of trees that just couldn’t get enough nourishment out of the plains soil to grow up to be big trees!

The best I remember the maximum stay at America Horse Lake is 3 nights. The camping sites are first come, first serve, which you’d expect with primitive camping.

Another thing about the primitive camping. I was told that you could not pick up dead wood nor could you cut wood for a fire. So if you go, take your own firewood. I couldn’t substantiate this claim, so take your own to be safe. I admit, that it’s kind a weird for a primitive camping area not to allow the picking up wood for a fire.

Another unique feature that I’ve heard is that since there are few to no artificial light sources in the area, the lake is a very popular place for Astronomers. Pick your favorite meteor shower date and make a night of it!

Sometimes I like getting off the beaten path and finding little out of the way places to camp in Oklahoma. Henryetta lake in Okmulgee county is one of those places. This is a small 400 acre or so lake with about eleven miles of shoreline. As far as lakes go, it is kinda odd in that it’s fed by Wolf Creek on the South side and the lake’s dam is on the North side.

Here is a map from the Oklahoma Water Resources Board

Henryetta Lake Map

The lake is also formerly known as Jim Hall lake. It is located about 4 miles east of Henryetta Oklahoma on New Lake Road.

There are several camping areas as well as boat ramps and picnic areas. We stayed at a primitive camp and for the life of me, I can not remember if there were RV hookups at some of the campsites but I believe there were. Again, check with the city of Henryetta before going. There are fees and I believe you have to go to the city to get them. The last number I have is 918-652-3331

We stayed there a few days in April and found the weather to be absolutely delightful. The area was ver peaceful and we saw very few other people (we stayed on weekdays). We fished the lake and the fish seemed to be plentiful as we caught Channel Catfish, Crappie and a few small Bass.

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