First of all, you have to know that survival knives come as foldable knives or as regular, fixed blade knives. They can have a double blade, which is not always the best option, since you might cut yourself while preparing dinner or cutting something harder. A double bladed knife also means that the tip of the knife will be weakened.

The foldable knife is considered to be doing more bad than good, since it might fold during usage and you will end up cutting yourself, or it might just break at the hinge, making it useless. Also, you should know that a fixed blade knife is more secure, since the risk of breaking while hunting or killing an animal is reduced. One of the most popular models of fixed blade survival knives is the Gerber Prodigy. If you read just about any Gerber Prodigy review, you’ll see that this knife is loved and cherished by its owners.

Some survival knives come with a hollow handle, which allows you to store some additional gear in the handle, but these knives might break easily, since the handle isn`t part of the blade. Another disadvantage is that if you lose the knife, you also lose the gear stored inside.
Many people live under the impression that the longer the blade, the better the knife. However, experts disagree, since many of the long bladed knives will be useless and awkward when the situation calls for a shorter, more accurate blade.

When choosing a survival knife, you must not rely on the testimonials of other users. Instead, you have to make sure that you use common sense and pick the one that seems to be made especially for you, because, in a life or death situation, your survival knife might be your best friend.

The Blue River takes in the waters of Little Blue Creek just southeast of Connerville. It flows generally south into the Blue River Wildlife Management Area, a state-managed preserve with camping, hiking and river access. Although, most of the river is considered off-limits since advanced permission from land owners must be secured. Although, you will need strong intermediate or higher level white-water paddling skills to tackle the swells of the river. And because of its remote surrounding area both swift water rescue and First Aid skills would be valuable assets for those who plan to camp out and river paddle. So, if you are beginner, do not worry as there are ways to help you out in case of mishaps.

The Blue River has excellent trout fishing and is known statewide for holding lunker trout. Here is a map of the Blue River and it’s different regulation areas.

Unfortunately, if you want to experience the thrilling and exciting white water ride, you have to come to the Blue River before, during or after it rises following a major rainfall event in order to get just the right amount of water fit for paddling. If in any event you entirely miss out on that exciting ride, you can just opt to take a bit of trout fishing as it is stocked between November and May. This is a convenience for non-adventure seekers and is just interested in getting some good fish. Fly fishing is a good idea around Blue River.

The water quality of the Blue River is good but is not potable without any form of purification. Natural mineral and agricultural run-offs are hazardous to the health once the water is induced and the person does not immediately get medical check-up. Still, the water is generally free of industrial, commercial and residential pollutants due to the remoteness of the surrounding area which borders the Tishomingo National Wildlife Refuge and runs through the Blue River Wildlife Management Area.

There are no commercial camp grounds in Blue River but the Wildlife Management Area permits camping all year round in designated campsites and river access areas. Conventional accommodations can be found in nearly Durant and Tishomingo. Since there are no known outfitter, livery or shuttle services available on or near when you are Blue River camping near Tishomingo, so it is safe, secured and recommended that you take your own boats and gears. You can go hunting outside the Blue River WMA in a hunting area nearby, so if you are a hunter, bring your hunting equipment if it’s hunting season. Truly, it provides great adventure.

For more information on camping, fishing, lodging, the latest trout fishing reports and hunting the Blue River, give Scotty’s One Stop a call at (580) 371-9288

Brushy Lake State Park offers visitors a quiet, secluded recreation destination that is fit for campers and nature lovers to just have a peaceful and relaxing day outdoors. The area provides an ample amount of shade so you can feel cool and fresh even in the summers.

The park’s facilities include eight day-use picnic areas with tables and grills which is perfect for group activities or just the plain old family tradition of bonding out with nature. You do not have to really stay the night to enjoy the place. But if you are interested in camping out, the state park is also quite a great place to set up camp and circle around a great fire.

Brushy Lake State Park provides group shelters with electricity where you can camp out with your friends or families. There are 23 concrete camping sites all near a lighted boat ramp. Electric service, water service and comfort stations with showers are all available in this wonderful park.

During the day, you can enjoy fishing or swimming in the lake. The park offers boat and fishing docks for the avid fishermen and kids. You can also rent an electric or manually powered boat where you can enjoy around the lake. There are bass and bream fish found in the lake. If you are not too fond of the water, there are hiking trails available for the experienced and the beginner hiker.

You can take along the kids for a short hike and see animals and birds. If you are into professional photography or scenic photography, take out your camera and start collecting photos of the wildlife and the beautiful foliage. The kids are not going to be hiking much so the park has a playground accessible for them. They can also enjoy swimming, accompanied by adults since there are no life guards available near the lake.

There is also an available RV camping at Brush Lake for those who would want to bring the comfort of modern times with them in the outdoors. There are no hook ups for electricity and hot shower, so you can either boil water outside or just use cold water from the showers or the lake.

Brushy Lake State Park is open 24 hours, 7 days a week all year round. The normal camping fee is $10-15 but they offer senior citizen discounts. You will certainly enjoy the area since it is steeped in history and beauty. Go visit and enjoy nature with the Brushy Lake State Park!

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Oklahoma’s Turner Falls Park has over 500 camping sites that are accessible for all groups of people. These campsites have picnic tables and grill stations that are large enough to accommodate tents of small to medium size. It is a good venue for grand family reunions as it can accommodate a lot of people. There are also sites that offer electricity and running water if you cannot do without these conveniences. Of course, the highlight of the campground is 77 feet of natural waterfall that has a swimming area. An extensive group of hiking trails are also available for beginners and expert hikers. Kids do not have to be left out because there are four playgrounds for them to enjoy. If you are thinking of a family party or to celebrate a special occasion, you can rent a banquet room with a kitchen for a small fee.

The Chickasaw National Recreation Area is really the ideal campground for large groups. It has 6 grounds that can accommodate organized groups. Some campsites accommodate the handicapped and are easily accessible by wheelchair. Like most of Oklahoma’s campgrounds, this area is conducive for bass fishing, canoeing and kayaking, and swimming. Most of the camps are first come; first serve basis.

Oklahoma outdoor adventures would not be complete without horseback riding and if this is your pleasure, one of Oklahoma’s best campgrounds offer this family shared activity so your kids will surely enjoy this. The Cross Bar Ranch in Davis, Oklahoma offers organized horseback riding tours. It also has an area for dirt-biking and four-wheeler riding which will give youngsters and the young at hearts the thrill of such activities. There are also mountain hiking and biking trails that people will enjoy. However, there are no water or electric outlets for modern convenience.

Another famous camping spots in Oklahoma is Lake Murray. It is famous for its finest golf courses as well as spacious campsites, three miles of lakeside hiking trails, horseback riding, tennis courts, and an airstrip for remote control airplanes. But if camping out isn’t really your thing, you can choose to go to the Lake Murray resort which has 50 rooms and suites with grocery store and restaurants.

Truly the best camping spots in Oklahoma not only offer access to the great outdoors but also the luxuries that any family will want to indulge themselves in.

200 to 350 million years ago, this state park was part of a shallow, muddy inland sea. The rock formations throughout the park were formed during the Pennsylvanian Period of geologic history. This is why the rare coral can be found in this area. The name Okmulgee means “bubbling spring” named by the Muscogee nation that settled during the 1830’s after they relocated from Alabama and Georgia.

Okmulgee State Park was developed in 1963 when the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department took over management of 535 acres of parkland from the City of Okmulgee. The park expanded in 1988 when the 245 acre Dripping Springs Lake area was leased from the City of Okmulgee. Dripping Springs Lake was designated Oklahoma’s first “Trophy Bass Lake”.

The park offers recreation facilities such as camping grounds and picnic sites ideal for families and friends to enjoy. They offer a wide space for group activities as well. The State Park offers more than 195 beautiful campsites in five different campgrounds. All of them are lakeside which makes it a perfect place to enjoy the outdoors and the water. Plus there are 5 comfort stations located around the park for your convenience. So you don’t really have to worry about taking a break for a call of nature.

If you want to bring along your tent, Okmulgee Park offers 6 tent sites in the Hickory Point area; 15 fin Red Oak Camping Area; 30 tent sites at Blackjack Area and the Dripping Springs offer 3 tent sites in the Clovis Point area. There are also 16 more tent sites in Garyito Point Area. All tent sites at Okmulgee/Dripping Springs State Park are unimproved, so you should better be prepared to rough it out with nature.

But, if you are not the type to “rough” it out, then bring along your RV. There are 18 semi-modern (water & electric) sites in the Hickory Point Campground and 28 semi-modern sites in the Red Oak Campground just for RV’s. The Dripping Springs has 28 semi-modern sites in Clovis Point Campground. You can also invite your whole neighborhood and relatives to take their RV’s since the group RV area at Clovis Point can accommodate from 48 to 150 RVs, with electric and water hook-ups.

The group picnic pavilions at Okmulgee Lake State Park are perfect sites for your family or office picnic or reunions. All feature electricity, running water and grills which are all conveniently located near comfort stations.
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Billy Creek Campground is a small campground ran by the U.S. Forest Service. To get to it, you have to go about 6 miles West of Big Cedar on U.S. Highway 63. Then you’re going to turn right at the sign, you’ll be going North on Forest Road 6022, and follow the road to Billy Creek.

This is one of my favorite places to camp in the fall. Especially around the time that all the leaves are turning. In Wintertime, you pretty much have the place to yourself. It can be so quiet some days, that it’s eerie. Especially on those crisp cold Winter days when it’s snowing. Just absolutely peaceful!

Be aware though, your big honking RV has to stay home. There are only 11 camping places and no hookups. The sites are for small popup type travel trailers or very short TT’s. It’s really a place to bring a tent and enjoy staying outdoors. There is well water available, but I always carry a little extra water myself. You just never know!

There is a pavilion onsite as well. You’ll have to contact the Kiamichi Ranger station of the Quachita National Forest for info on reserving it.

The camping fee the last time I was there was $8. The only bathroom the last time I was there was the vault type toilets.

Yeah, it’s primitive camping at its best!

Billy Creek is nearby (which is where the campground gets its name) and a great place to catch a few fish for dinner. Actually, I usually do very well on several types of fish there by using a Rapala floating minnow lure or some 1/32 ounce jigs. Stay with natural colors that resemble minnows or crawfish. In fact, another good lure is the Rebel wee r crawdad. I’ve caught a ton of fish out of Oklahoma lakes and streams off of those lures.

There are about 7 miles of hiking trails around the Billy Creek campground, so there is a little something for everyone. This trail runs up the mountain before looping around and coming back down. If I remember right, these trails may connect to the Indian nations hiking trail if you want to hike further. If that doesn’t get your blood flowing, then try some canoeing or whitewater kayaking on the Kiamichi river, which lies nearby.

Each of the campsites have the traditional grill and picnic table, but no tent pad. You’ll just have to scratch you out a place on the ground!

Billy Creek campground is truly one of those out of the way places not everyone will visit. Especially if you’re idea of roughing it includes 50 amp hookups, flush toilets, running water and wi-fi service! There are plenty of those types of places nearby if that’s what you want. On the other hand, if you want a primitive campsite near a beautiful and serene creek in the Quachita National Forest, then Billy Creek has what you’re looking for.

Here are the GPS Coordinates.
Latitude: 34.68972
Longitude: -94.73278

Map To Billy Creek Campgroun

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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!

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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The Tenkiller area is known as the “Heaven in the Hills”. Many people choose to stay at one of the many Cabins at Tenkiller State Park and then plan their activities accordingly.

Tenkiller State Park Cabins

There are 39 cabins at the State Park. These cabins range from 1 to 3 bedrooms. The cabins are equipped with just about everything a camper will need including dishes, linens and eating utensils. They are also equipped with heating and cooling as well as hot water and even satellite TV! Some also have fireplaces, so you might request one of these in the cooler months.

If you really want to rough it, Tenkiller State Park even has courtyard cottages for those who want to be pampered a little!

There is also Tent sites as well as RV sites with full hookups for you RV’ers!

Tenkiller Camping

All told, there are 39 Cabins, 10 Cottages and 10 Camping areas with 221 campsites ranging from modern to primitive. If you can’t find a place that you like to camp with all of these options, you’re not trying!

The Park is defineately a family oriented vacation or weekend get-away spot. Some of the more popular amenities include;

• Amphitheater
• Campsites with full hookups with 30 amp electric
• Grills at the campsites
• Lake/River Views
• Marina
• Meeting Space Available
• Onsite Naturalist
• WiFi in areas
• Park Ranger
• Pets Allowed
• Picnic Area
• Childrens Playground
• Scuba Diving Park
• Outdoor Pool
• Restaurant
• Golf Carts
• Horseback Riding
• Restrooms
• Showers
• Swim Beach
• Water Hookup
• Community Building
• Group Rates Availabe
• Senior Discounts
• Credit Cards Accepted

Things To Do Around Lake Tenkiller State Park

No matter what your taste, chances are you’ll find something to do around Tenkiller State Park that you’ll enjoy.

Fort Gibson is just up the road. This is a historic Fort that played an important part in Oklahoma’s history including the Civil War period.

To the North, you have Tahlequah, the Capital of the Cherokee Indian Tribe. The area is rich in Cherokee Indian history. Just East a little ways in Sequoyah County, is Sequoyah’s Cabin. You can also find a Historic Cherokee village, just the way you would find one in the 1800′s. It’s a really cool place to visit to see a working Indian village the way it was hundreds of years ago.

Muskogee is just a few miles West of Lake Tenkiller and is full of history itself.

Directions To Tenkiller State Park

It’s easy to find Tenkiller State Park. It can be reached off of I-40 by exiting at Vian and traveling North on Highway 82. Then turn left on Highway 100 West.  Then go 3 miles to the park entrance which is on the right hand side of the road.

Lake Tenkiller State Park Contact Information

Here is the information to contact the State Park:

• Tenkiller State Park -
• HCR 68,Box 1095 – Vian, OK 74962
• 918-489-5643/Park Office
• 918-489-5641/Cabin Office

Conclusion

To me, the Tenkiller State Park is one of the best and finest camping areas around. If you’re wanting a place you can camp and enjoy a huge variety of events, then you’ll be hard pressed to find another destination as unique as Tenkiller State Park.

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