Oklahoma's Only Urban State Park Is An Underrated Lakefront Spot For Premier Camping

There's nothing quite like escaping city life and trading it in for an outdoor retreat. Lake Thunderbird State Park, Oklahoma's only urban state park, offers those in Oklahoma City a quaint escape less than an hour from downtown. The state park features roughly 1,900 acres and 86 miles of shoreline for guests to enjoy a myriad of activities — including various water sports, hiking, fishing, biking, and bird watching. Lake Thunderbird also boasts two marinas, nine boat ramps, and two beaches for guests to take a dip.

Located just outside of Oklahoma City, Lake Thunderbird is just 14 miles from the University of Oklahoma in downtown Norman. This makes it easier for visitors traveling to Lake Thunderbird to find accommodation in town and explore everything there is to do. Including touring the University of Oklahoma campus, visiting the downtown historic district, participating in various outdoor activities, and enjoying all the food and beverage offerings. There are also a variety of hotels, boutique stays, and bed and breakfast options in town. Meanwhile, for travelers are looking to stay inside Lake Thunderbird State Park, the land features more than 200 RV sites and various campsites, as well as functional restrooms and even a seasonal restaurant.

Since Lake Thunderbird and Norman are both located close to Oklahoma City, travelers can fly easily into Will Rogers International Airport, known as one of the U.S. airports with the most affordable parking. From there, the state park is a roughly 45-minute drive.  

Lake Thunderbird State Park, the only urban state park in Oklahoma, has plenty going for it. While the lake itself is the centerpiece of the park, there are lots of activities to choose from. On land, the park's several trails mean that hikers can walk along the waterfront or through the woods. In addition to that, visitors can also explore the 4-mile horseback riding paths at the Clear Bay section. For guests looking to keep even more busy, Lake Thunderbird also offers biking, archery hunting, and birdwatching. The park resides in a bald eagle's winter migration pattern, which means you can time your visit to try and see these creatures from December to February each year.

In addition to the land-based activities, there are even more opportunities for those looking to dip their toes (and more) in Lake Thunderbird. Some of the most popular aquatic activities include swimming, water skiing, fishing, canoeing, and paddle-boating. However, people who just want to relax and unwind can also find a quiet spot on one of the two beaches. To try something truly unique to the area, look for the park's legendary Oklahoma octopus. With sightings over the years, this cryptid has become part of the local folklore. Although there have never been any confirmed videos or photos, locals like to encourage visitors to try and catch a glimpse of the monster themselves.

Whether guests are lodging in Lake Thunderbird State Park or just outside of it in Norman or Oklahoma City, there are dozens of ways to stay entertained. For instance, the University of Oklahoma, which was also ranked one of the top American colleges with the most school spirit, is the heart of Norman. The university offers a variety of entertainment opportunities for tourists — including checking out the National Weather Museum and Science Center, catching a football game at the Boone Pickens Stadium, admiring the scenery at the Botanic Gardens, and watching a performance at the McKnight Center for the Performing Arts.

Just outside of the University of Oklahoma campus, the downtown Norman Main Street takes travelers back in time to a more simple and casual way of life. Although Main Street looks smaller on a map, the area features several boutiques, local restaurants, and art galleries. The restaurants span from barbecue to Italian and lots in between. In addition to the town staples, downtown Norman also hosts live music concerts, kid-friendly activity events, and art festivals at certain times of the year. Adults can visit the three casinos or sample some local alcoholic beverages at (405) Brewing Co., Native Spirits Winery, and Legally Brewed.

For those travelers bringing children along with them, Norman is a great U.S. destination for kids of every age. Families can check out the Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History and the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art and later let loose at the Westwood Family Aquatic Center, the Get Air Trampoline Park, the HeyDay Entertainment Center, and the Play Pit. For more adventures in Oklahoma, this under-the-radar state park is home to a gigantic gypsum cave.