With over 19,000 surface acres and 225 miles of shoreline on Fort Gibson Lake, Sequoyah State Park is a haven for outdoor and water sport enthusiasts. Located in northeastern Oklahoma just a short drive from Tulsa, this lovely park opened in 1948 and receives over 250,000 visitors a year. Many RV visitors seek adrenaline-inducing activities like boating, hiking, and fishing, while some just want to kick back and relax.
There are plenty of recreational activities available at Sequoyah State Park, including swimming, horseback riding, golfing, and western-themed activities. Take to the hiking trails to further explore the scenery of the park or rent a boat and get out on the lake to float the day away. Take the kids to the Three Forks Nature Center, which offers exhibits, displays, live animals, and an on-site naturalist who will tell you more about the animals and the area.
The views of the lake are superb, and the park has really nice modern facilities. There are three RV campgrounds that all feature modern and semi-modern camping facilities. Some of these sites even have level concrete pads, which is a dream for RV campers. In addition, Sequoyah has a walk-in tent area, a group campground, 104-room lodge, and 45 cottages in case you want to try something different on this trip. The peak season at the park is from May to September.
Just 50 miles from Tulsa in the northeastern corner of Oklahoma off of OK-51, you can get to Sequoyah State Park easily in your RV. The park is only 24 miles from Muskogee, which is a small town on the Arkansas River. You can visit the memorial park and museum while you are nearby. The roads in and out of the park are a bit curvy but not steep, and you should not have any issues no matter how large your motorhome or trailer is.
Once you reach the park, it is best to go ahead and find your campsite and leave the rig for a while so you can check out the area. Walk or bike some of the trails, visit the Three Forks Nature Center, or take a look at the water so you can find some good spots for fishing, picnicking, or swimming.
The park is also only five miles from the Taylor Ferry South Recreation Area, eight miles from Wagoner, which is the home of Fort Gibson Wildlife Management Area, and 16 miles from Jackson Bay Recreation Area. So, you are surrounded by some amazing natural and recreational areas you can visit while you are in the northeastern section of Oklahoma.
If you would rather stay rustic but indoors, Sequoyah State Park has 45 various sized cottages near the lodge but also in the woods. You can even have a large family or group get-together here because one of their cottages has 10 bedrooms and can accommodate up to 46 people. This cottage is decked out with one king bed, nine queen beds, and two sets of bunk beds. The living area has a television and seating with a fireplace and there is a full kitchen with a stove and refrigerator. The two bathrooms have showers and towels.
Most of the other cottages have two double or queen beds and sleep one to six people. About half of them have kitchenettes with stoves, microwaves, and refrigerators. Some have living rooms while others are just one large room. Every cottage has televisions, table and chairs, a bathroom with running water, and a firepit and picnic table outside. Bring your furbaby too because they are welcome. Make your reservations in advance because these cottages are popular, especially during weekends and holidays.
If you were thinking of getting back to nature for real, the Creek Campground has several tent sites that you can hike to. It is not far from the parking lot, so you will be near the showers, restrooms, and playground at the Seminole Campground. In fact, it is just to the southeast of the Seminole Campground off P-60.
Pets are welcome at these sites as well. However, just like the other campsites, your pup must be on a leash or restrained in some way at all times during your visit to Sequoyah State Park. Reservations are required, which you can make online or by phone up to a year in advance.
The Seminole Campground at Sequoyah State Park is located on the western side of the park near Fort Lake Gibson. There are 20 full-hookup sites and 20 sites with water and 30-amp electric hookups for your RV up to 50 feet long. That means you can cook inside on your own stove or outdoors on the campfire grill provided by the park. They even have a large concrete picnic table and lantern hanger so you can see after it gets dark.
You’ll also find a playground for the kids near a picnic shelter and a comfort station that has restrooms and hot showers. The RV sanitation dump site is also nearby so you can empty the black water tank, if needed. Fluffy is welcome to stay with you at the campsite. However, you have to keep your pets restrained at all times. Reservations are required and can be made up to 12 months in advance.
If you were thinking of enjoying a round of golf while RVing, Sequoyah State Park is the place for you. The park has an 18-hole, par 70 golf course with great lake views, sand bunkers, and Bermuda grass greens. The course also has great facilities which include a pro shop with cart and club rental, snacks, drinks, golf lessons, and a gift shop. For those wanting to try a different type of golf, there is also an 18-hole disc golf course located alongside the main golf course.
Fort Gibson Lake in Sequoyah State Park is a great place to get out on the water in your boat. There is a full-service marina within the park that can assist with boat rentals and fishing supplies if you feel like fishing. The marina is open seven days a week. There are also lighted boat ramps at the park, so you can get on the water early or come back late without having to rely on flashlights to brighten up the area.
Do you like horses? You can rent a horse, take a guided trail ride, or even go to Cowboy Camp at Sequoyah Stables. If you would rather not ride a horse yourself, try a hayride with the family. This is a fantastic way to take a tour of the area and all the beauty it has to offer. Sequoyah Riding Stables also offers pony rides and a Lil’ Wrangler Program for the young’ uns to enjoy. The 300-acre park inside the park is a western wonderland for the whole family.
The Choctaw Campground is located in the southeastern area of the park. It offers 24 full hookup sites with concrete pads that can house rigs up to 50 feet long. Being just off the Three Forks Trail, you and the kids can take a hike while you are there. This campground has a nice swimming beach as well as a boat ramp into Fort Gibson Lake. A picnic area is located near the swimming beach. If you like horses, you will be right by the Sequoyah Stables at Choctaw Campground and you can rent a horse or hire a guide for a nice horseback riding trip.
Choctaw Campground is closest to the Pro Shop and the Three Forks Nature Center as well as the Fitness and Nature Trail. In fact, it is also the closest campground to the golf course, fishing dock, and lodge. The restaurant there is open to the public and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Pets are allowed to camp with you, but they are not allowed on the beach or inside any of the buildings. Make your reservations early as there are only 24 spots at Choctaw.
The Cherokee Campground has 60 sites available right in the middle of the eastern side of the park. These campsites have 30- to 50-amp electric and water connections, but none of them have full hookups. You will find a picnic table and campfire ring with a grill for cooking at each site. All sites can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet in length.
Facilities in the Cherokee Campground include modern restrooms with running water, hot showers, and an RV dump station. There is also a playground and picnic area nearby with easy access to the boat ramps and dock. The ADA-accessible Scissortail Paved Trail is also in the Cherokee Campground area. Pets are welcome, although you have to accompany them and keep them restrained at all times.
Make your reservations early because this is a popular campground that fills up fast. During the wintertime, this campground is only open for day use, so reserve one at Choctaw or Seminole Campground if you plan to visit during the winter.
When you feel like you need some pampering or if the weather is not behaving well, that may be a good time to park the RV in the lot and stay in one of the 104 rooms at the Sequoya Lodge. Formerly the Western Hills Guest Ranch, this huge lodge is the largest in Oklahoma and offers tennis courts, a splash park and pool, a restaurant, and playgrounds as well as recreational programs for everyone. There is even a golf course right outside.
There is something for every sized group from a double room with a queen bed for two people to a deluxe family suite that has a queen bed and a full-sized bed that can sleep up to four. All rooms include a coffee maker, TV, refrigerator, patio or deck, and a full bathroom. The deluxe family suites have a family room with a couch, chairs, and television as well. Pets are not allowed in the lodge, unfortunately, so you will not be able to bring Fluffy. Reservations are needed and should be made well in advance.
Are you expecting a large group or planning a meeting for a group who like the outdoors? The group campground at Sequoyah State Park is in the northernmost part of the park by the Visitor’s Center. This area is huge and has 10 rustic A-frame structures to accommodate up to 150 guests. There is even a dining hall that has air conditioning and heat if needed.
The group camp is also near the Paradise Cove Marina, where you and your group can store your boat for easy access while you are there. If you don’t have a boat, you can rent (or buy) one at the marina as well. Paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks are available too. You can even get your gas, bait, fishing gear, ice, and snacks here. Make sure you book your reservation as far in advance as possible because there is only one group campground and it is popular.
Make sure you pack some comfortable walking shoes in the rig before heading to the park. Sequoyah State Park has an excellent trail system if you want to get out and do some hiking. The half-mile Fossil Trail at the southern end of the park takes you along the shoreline and past the Sequoyah Lodge. You may see some fossils on the trail, hence the name. The 1.25-mile Eagles Roost Nature Trail is another excellent trek that covers the northwestern section of the park by Paradise Cove. Bring your camera and binoculars so you can see some of the park’s amazing eagles and other wildlife.
If you are looking for a fun experience for the whole family hop in the motorhome and head to Three Forks Nature Center, which is located within Sequoyah State Park. You can learn all about the animals who live at the center includes snakes, turtles, and a beaver. They offer fun activities all year long like children's programs and nature hikes.
Fort Gibson Lake is a perfect place to cast a line, so if you are thinking about trying your luck, do it! If you don't have a boat or don't want to rent one, don't stress. There are several miles of shoreline that you can find, ranging from terrains such as bluffs, grassy banks, and pea gravel. The species of fish in the lake include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, catfish, spotted and white bass, crappie, and bream. Be sure to get an Oklahoma fishing license first and keep it with you at all times.
