Pine Creek Lake
RV Guide
Introduction
Sited on the edge of the Ouachita Mountains and featuring six square miles of water surrounded by pine/hardwood forest and 74 miles of shoreline, Pine Creek Lake is the perfect setting for memorable RV vacations. Located about eight miles north of Valliant in Oklahoma, this US Army Corps of Engineers park features scenic foothills that are attractive for recreational activities.
Tent, group, and RV camping options are available at Pine Creek Lake, as well as motorhome rental facilities nearby at Beavers Bend State Park. Full and partial hookups for RVs and trailers are also present at the campgrounds. Other facilities and amenities include primitive and modern toilets, hot showers, playgrounds, dump stations, and potable water. Boat ramps and parking lots are also on hand in the park.
Activities to enjoy on the lake include boating, sailing, canoeing, fishing, and swimming. Hunting for game species is also a popular pastime at this COE park. The abundant wildlife and birds in the park promote photography and viewing pursuits. Moreover, sightseeing opportunities abound within and outside the park. There are commercial services and supplies, as well as overnight accommodations in nearby communities.
RV Rentals in Pine Creek Lake
Transportation
Driving
Pine Creek Lake, located about eight miles north of Valliant, Oklahoma, is an easy park to locate and access by cars, trailers, and RVs. The major access road to the park is Pine Creek Road. Within the park, local roads connect the campgrounds and recreation areas. RV and trailer rentals are available east at Beavers Bend State Park
Parking
There are a number of parking spaces available for campers and visitors at and around Pine Creek Lake. The campgrounds and recreation areas have parking pads for RVs/trailers and cars. Moreover, overnight parking is also available.
Public Transportation
There are no direct public transportation services to Pine Creek Lake.
Campgrounds and parking in Pine Creek Lake
Campsites in Pine Creek Lake
Reservations camping
Pine Creek Cove Campground
Pine Creek Cove Campground sits on the southern end of Pine Creek Lake and features 41 standard pet-friendly campsites and one group campsite. Two picnic shelters, two boat launching ramps, and a swim beach are other facilities in the campground. Primitive and modern restrooms, as well as showers and dump stations, are also available.
One campsite is equipped with full RV hookups (electric, water, and sewer hookups), while the remaining 40 campsites have both electric and water hookups. The RV length limit in the campground is 105 feet.
All the campsites are available by reservation, and peak season is between March and October.
Little River Park
Little River Park sits on the western shore of the lake and consists of 89 standard pet-friendly campsites, as well as a group camp and two picnic shelter. Other facilities in the campground include boat launching ramps, primitive and modern restrooms, showers, a playground, and two dump stations.
There electric and water RV hookups at 62 campsites while 12 campsites have full hookup options (electric, water, and sewer hookups). Motorhomes longer than 100 feet cannot be accommodated in the campground.
All the campsites are available by reservation, and peak season is between March and October. Recreational activities include hiking, fishing, canoeing, and swimming.
Lost Rapids Park
Lost Rapids Park is a pet-friendly campground located on the eastern side of Pine Creek Lake, consisting of 30 standard campsites and a group campsite. A boat ramp, primitive toilets, and modern flush toilets, as well as potable water, are available in the campground.
There are 16 campsites with electric and water hookups, in addition to the electric hookup options at the group campsite. The maximum RV length in the campground is 81 feet.
Peak season in the campground is between March and October, and all the campsites are reservable.
Turkey Creek Landing Campground
Turkey Creek Landing Campground, on the western shores of Pine Creek Lake, features 30 pet-friendly campsites as well as a day-use picnic shelter. Campground amenities include a boat ramp, playground, flush toilets and vault toilets.
Only eight campsites have electric and water hookups for RVs. RVs and trailers longer than 100 feet cannot be accommodated in the campground.
All campsites are reservable and peak season is between March and October.
Seasonal activities in Pine Creek Lake
In-Season
Boating
Pleasure boating opportunities are available at Pine Creek Lake for enthusiasts who wish to explore the lake. Because of the underwater hazards in the park, boaters are required to watch out for submerged stumps and other obstructions while exploring the park’s waters. Also, it is not uncommon to encounter snakes in the water during spring, summer, and fall, so be on the lookout for those too. As life jackets are recommended for use on the water, you can rent one for your use at the park.
Fishing
As a popular pursuit at this US Army COE park, fishing is an exciting activity for campers and anglers. Thanks to the high ratio of shoreline to water in the park, there is a strong forage base for lots of fish species – game and non-game. Common ones in the water include largemouth bass, flathead catfish and channel catfish. Saugeye is also a popular catch in this park. This fish species is a hybrid developed by the crossing of sauger and walleye and is most active early in the day and at night.
Bird/Wildlife Viewing
There are plenty of wildlife species and birdlife that call this US Army COE park home, inviting nature lovers and bird watchers. These fauna species consist of game and non-game species, including coyote, raccoon, rabbits, deer, and black bear. You’ll find them in the wildlife management area in the park. Look out for birds such as doves, waterfowl, and river otters in the park. If you visit in winter, you’ll see bald eagles around the lake traveling the Little River Basin.
Off-Season
Hunting
Federal and State hunting regulations guide hunting activities at Pine Creek Lake, so RV campers and visitors who are hunting enthusiasts are required to abide by them. Hunting is allowed in designated areas with the use of weapons such as shotguns, rifles, handguns, bows, and primitive firearms. The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife manages the public hunting lands in the park’s areas. Note that the developed areas in the park are closed to hunting. Game species include deer, black bear, and quail.
Swimming
There are two designated swimming beaches at Pine Creek Lake, one at Pine Creek Cove Campground, and the other at Little River Park Campground. Both are available to campers and visitors who wish to take a dip in the park’s waters.
You may wish to note that the swim beaches have more beach areas than swim areas. However, this does not mean swimming is not permitted or enjoyable. You are advised to not swim beyond the designated buoy line in the swimming beach.
Sightseeing
Plenty of sightseeing opportunities are available to campers and visitors at and around Pine Creek Lake. The forest resources and flora in the park are managed in such a way that they improve the scenic quality of the park and enhance its beauty.
The park’s landscapes also invite hiking and horseback riding adventures through the park. In addition, just within driving distances from this COE park, Beavers Bend State Park and Raymond Gary State Park are attractive sites to visit.
