Featuring blue-green waters surrounded by beautiful natural features such as grasslands, high bluffs, wooded shorelines, and rolling hills, Keystone Lake is the perfect setting for nature lovers and refreshing vacations. This US Army Corps of Engineers park located 19 miles west of Tulsa, Oklahoma, along US Highway 64, is easy to access by RVs, trailers, and cars.
Recreational opportunities abound at this lake park, making it the preferred destination for fun lovers. Boating experiences are exciting on the lake; anglers enjoy catching a wide variety of fish species, and hunting enthusiasts have about 27 sq. miles of public hunting land to go after diverse game species. Also, scenic nature trails take hikers through beautifully wooded areas where panoramic views of the lake are seen. The wildlife and birds in the park also present fantastic viewing opportunities. Besides, there’s always the choice to relax and take a dip in the swim beach at the park. Visit Osage Hills State Park for additional recreational fun opportunities.
Tent and RV camping options are available, with campsites equipped with electric and water hookups. Facilities and amenities such as pit and flush toilets, potable water, showers, dump station, and parking areas are provided.
Located 19 miles west of Tulsa, Oklahoma, along US Highway 64 (also known as Keystone Expressway), Keystone Lake is an easily accessible COE park for cars, RVs, and trailers. A number of major and minor roads also lead to the park. RV and trailer rental options are available at Tulsa and Sand Springs.
There are parking spaces available for campers and visitors at Keystone Lake. The campground also features parking spaces for RVs/trailers and cars. Overnight parking is also available.
There are no direct public transportation services to Keystone Lake.
Washington Irving South Campground is a pet-friendly campground on the Arkansas arm of Keystone Lake, open between April and October (peak season) and available by reservations. There are 41 campsites in this shaded campground, separated into three loops.
Electric and water hookups are available in 39 campsites, while amenities such as pit and flush toilets, potable water, showers, and a dump station are provided. A wide range of recreational opportunities is available to campground users.
RVs and trailers up to 71 feet can be accommodated in this campground.
One of the most popular activities at Keystone Lake is boating, since there are plenty of exciting opportunities to boat, sail, and paddle on the lake’s waters. Campers and visitors who wish to engage in this activity are advised to come along with their own boats and vessels. Moreover, the US COE regulations and Oklahoma boating laws guide boating in this lake park. Also, safety is paramount as all are required to operate their boats in a controlled manner always.
The fish resources at Keystone Lake provide numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation for anglers and fishing enthusiasts at this park on visits or on vacation. This US Army COE park that is locally called “the new home of the striped bass” is an attractive site for fishermen.
Some of the fish species available in the park’s waters include white bass, crappie, black bass, and catfish. Most of these are found in abundant quantities, especially the catfish and bass.
There are two nature trails available for park visitors and RV campers to enjoy at Keystone Lake. Both offer the chance to explore the park on foot and see beautiful features within the park’s areas. Washington Irving Scenic Nature Trail winds for about a mile and takes hikers through wooded areas and along sandstone bluffs that feature gnarled cedars.
Also, the Two Rivers Scenic Nature Trail offers panoramic views of the lake and winds through heavily wooded areas, offering bird watching opportunities.
With about 27 sq. miles of land available for public hunting, there are plenty of opportunities available to sportsmen and hunting enthusiasts to go after game in this Army COE park. A wide variety of game is available within the public hunting area in the park, such as white-tailed deer, mourning dove, bobwhite quail, and geese.
Additional wildlife species that campers and visitors who are licensed to hunt will find in the park include squirrel, cottontail rabbit, and ducks. To aid the exercise, maps of the hunting area are made available online or at the Keystone Project Office.
Swimming is a refreshing activity at Keystone Lake for all who fancy the sport and wish to explore the park’s waters. Because of several dangerous elements within the lake, certain recommendations are made to swimmers such as swimming only in places where the water depths and bottom are comfortable, and never swimming alone. Moreover, children are to be watched closely and boat channels, docks, and launching ramps are to be avoided. Overall, safe swimming practices are recommended.
Excellent opportunities to view wildlife and watch birds abound at Keystone Lake. This is due to the fact that the park hosts plenty of wildlife species. Some of the fauna that nature observers will see in this park include rabbits, deer, waterfowl, coyote, raccoon, bobcat, and other furbearers. Good views will be gotten in the upland habitats in the park. Birds such as bald eagles, pelicans, wading birds, and shorebirds are found within the park at different times of the year.
