About Cookson Bend
Number of accommodations: 128
Nearby Activities & Attractions
Fishing
Hunting
Swimming
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Showers
Playground
RV Utilities and Hookups
- Dump station on site
Water and Hygiene
- Showers
On Site Services
- Playground
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Rates, Sites & Availability
128 Sites Available
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Site Details
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128 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (205)
What Guests Are Saying
Cookson Bend features friendly and helpful camp hosts, with clean campsites and good restroom facilities. While some areas need maintenance, including a few dead trees and issues with flooding and trash, many guests enjoyed their relaxing experiences and the beautiful views. Overall, visitors appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and would consider returning.
What Guests Are Saying
Cookson Bend features friendly and helpful camp hosts, with clean campsites and good restroom facilities. While some areas need maintenance, including a few dead trees and issues with flooding and trash, many guests enjoyed their relaxing experiences and the beautiful views. Overall, visitors appreciated the welcoming atmosphere and would consider returning.
Review Summary
Hayley M
VerifiedJune 20, 2021 • Stayed at: 009, Loop: CBEN
It was very quiet! Never been to this particular lake before, so it being quiet, and quiet time starting at 10pm everyone took that pretty seriously. It was very peaceful. I’m from the city, and I will definitely be back. Only thing that I was not very thrilled about was at first my first two nights was not bad, bathroom were always clean, and smelled nice like bleach. But when the weekend hit, and everyone started showing up the lines got backed up. Could not shower, or use the restrooms. Had to use the horrid outhouse lol. But overall experience was a very nice get away for an anniversary. No one messes with anyone. Slept in a tent the entire time, and when we would be gone throughout the day because it was to unbearable for the heat, had great neighbors that caught our canopy. Want a very enjoyable experience definitely go here!!! Highly recommend!
DONALD R
VerifiedJune 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: CBEN
Campsites are positioned with good lake views so that your door opens up to the picnic area. There are predominantly large cottonwood trees throughout the campground. While no hiking trails exists on the grounds, we enjoyed walking the paved roads throughout the park. Nice marina and restaurant (open weekends only) are within walking distance. Lake is one of prettiest in Oklahoma. We’ve already planned a return visit.
DONALD R
VerifiedJune 14, 2021 • Stayed at: 033, Loop: CBEN
Campsites are positioned with good lake views so that your door opens up to the picnic area. There are predominantly large cottonwood trees throughout the campground. While no hiking trails exists on the grounds, we enjoyed walking the paved roads throughout the park. Nice marina and restaurant (open weekends only) are within walking distance. Lake is one of prettiest in Oklahoma. We’ve already planned a return visit.
Ronda B
VerifiedJune 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: CBEN
This is a beautiful campground with very friendly attendants. Lots of shade, clean bathrooms and showers and the playground is nice for the kiddos. My only complaint is some of the campsites are WAY too close.
Ronda B
VerifiedJune 13, 2021 • Stayed at: 013, Loop: CBEN
This is a beautiful campground with very friendly attendants. Lots of shade, clean bathrooms and showers and the playground is nice for the kiddos. My only complaint is some of the campsites are WAY too close.
John N
VerifiedJune 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 053, Loop: CBEN
We set up planning on staying two weeks. Didn't know it was reservation only. There were no signs indicating
that the sites were reservation only. We had to leave after 3 days. A little sign at the entrance wouldn't be too expensive.
David C
VerifiedJune 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: 0512
We have been camping there for years.
They have great facilities.
John N
VerifiedJune 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 053, Loop: CBEN
We set up planning on staying two weeks. Didn't know it was reservation only. There were no signs indicating
that the sites were reservation only. We had to leave after 3 days. A little sign at the entrance wouldn't be too expensive.
David C
VerifiedJune 11, 2021 • Stayed at: 019, Loop: 0512
We have been camping there for years.
They have great facilities.
Christina M
VerifiedJune 6, 2021 • Stayed at: 002, Loop: CBEN
I was kind sad because I didn’t have a grill on my site, so cooking options were VERY limited. On top of this issue we had the issue of every time we went to the bathroom shower, 1 light did not come on, and 2 the toilet paper continually ran out. Several campers came by and were upset because there was no possible way to get to campsite #3. It was very crowded and basically tripping over each other. Campsites need to be cleaned and maintained, yes camping is meant to be back to earth, but it still needs to be maintained better.
Location Cookson Bend
Address:
446977 East 980 Road
Gore, OK, 74435-9547
United States
From Tahlequah, OK go 17.5 miles southeast on Highway 82. Look for sings for Tenkiller and turn right, then
go two miles west on the paved access road.
The campground is accessed via Highway 82, which is approximately 17.5 miles from Tahlequah, OK. No interstates or other major highways are mentioned within 25 miles.
Latitude & Longitude: 35.7067 / -94.96
Elevation: 204 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
6PM
Check out time
3PM
General
- You must stop and register at the Gate Shack upon arrival.
- Entrance gate will be closed during this time.
- Limit 3 tents, or 1 wheeled camper and 2 tents per camp pad.
- Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
- Pets must remain restrained on a leash or penned at all times. Pets are NOT allowed on swim beaches or in bathrooms.
- Grey water and sewage must be properly disposed of in the provided dump station receptacle. Disposal of any water or waste on the ground is prohibited.
- Group shelters are for day use only.
- Fireworks are prohibited.
- Fishing and hunting are regulated by federal and state laws.
- Campers must occupy the campsite at least once during each 24 hour period. Abandoned personal property may be subject to impoundment after 24 hours.
- Camping is limited to 14 consecutive days within any 30 day period. This applies to all members of the camping party and the camping unit.
- Fires must be contained within the fire ring or grill provided. These are NOT trash receptacles, please leave them free of food and litter upon departure.
- Campers shall keep their sites free of trash and litter during the period of occupancy and shall remove all personal equipment and clean their sites upon departure. Trash must be placed in the provided dumpsters.
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Last updated: June 4, 2026
