Bear Creek Cove

We really enjoyed our visit to Bear Creek Cove campground on Kaw Lake near Kaw City, OK. There are several other larger campgrounds on Kaw Lake that we have stayed at previously, Sarge Creek, Osage Cove and Coon Creek. Depending upon which direction you approach the campground from, you will have to travel between 2 to 5 miles of maintained dirt road. While the road is maintained, take it slow, because there are some pretty significant potholes. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and stayed through until Thursday, so we did not experience a weekend in the campground. Our initial reservation was for campsite #017 which appeared on the RECREATION.gov website to be right on the lake and to have have ample shading from large trees. Upon arrival, we found that the USACE had done some erosion abatement work along the lakeshore behind campsite 017 which entailed the removal of all of the large trees, grading the slope of site 017 with large earth moving equipment and dumping rip rap all along the shoreline behind site 017. SO, campsite 017 was just barren dust flats with no shade when we arrived. Thankfully, RECREATION.gov made it super simple to transfer over to campsite 016 which isn't a waterfront site, but it is close enough to the shoreline, and it did have plenty of large trees for shade and grass to keep the dust down. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the camp host; and while I did not get his name, he was awesome. He worked very hard keeping the grounds neat and tidy; every day, in the 100+ degree heat, working his rear end off. Nonetheless, the entire campground was empty during our weekday stay, but the host was actively placing the plastic reserved signs out on the campgrounds on Thursday as we were leaving ... so I am guessing the place gets filled up on weekends. Thanks to the US Army Corps of Engineers for making this campground reservable on RECREATION.gov.

We really enjoyed our visit to Bear Creek Cove campground on Kaw Lake near Kaw City, OK. There are several other larger campgrounds on Kaw Lake that we have stayed at previously, Sarge Creek, Osage Cove and Coon Creek. Depending upon which direction you approach the campground from, you will have to travel between 2 to 5 miles of maintained dirt road. While the road is maintained, take it slow, because there are some pretty significant potholes. We arrived on a Sunday afternoon and stayed through until Thursday, so we did not experience a weekend in the campground. Our initial reservation was for campsite #017 which appeared on the RECREATION.gov website to be right on the lake and to have have ample shading from large trees. Upon arrival, we found that the USACE had done some erosion abatement work along the lakeshore behind campsite 017 which entailed the removal of all of the large trees, grading the slope of site 017 with large earth moving equipment and dumping rip rap all along the shoreline behind site 017. SO, campsite 017 was just barren dust flats with no shade when we arrived. Thankfully, RECREATION.gov made it super simple to transfer over to campsite 016 which isn't a waterfront site, but it is close enough to the shoreline, and it did have plenty of large trees for shade and grass to keep the dust down. I would be remiss if I didn't mention the camp host; and while I did not get his name, he was awesome. He worked very hard keeping the grounds neat and tidy; every day, in the 100+ degree heat, working his rear end off. Nonetheless, the entire campground was empty during our weekday stay, but the host was actively placing the plastic reserved signs out on the campgrounds on Thursday as we were leaving ... so I am guessing the place gets filled up on weekends. Thanks to the US Army Corps of Engineers for making this campground reservable on RECREATION.gov.

Neal, the campground attendant at Bear Creek is the absolute best in the business. We love camping here.

Neal, the campground attendant at Bear Creek is the absolute best in the business. We love camping here.

We were disappointed that our site had recently been graded and most of the trees removed. Thank goodness it wasn’t raining or, we would have been camping in a mud pit.

We were disappointed that our site had recently been graded and most of the trees removed. Thank goodness it wasn’t raining or, we would have been camping in a mud pit.

Park and park keeper were among the best. Had an electrical problem that resulted in entire outlet exchanged; fixed within a couple hours. Plenty of room between sites and space to enjoy. Property well kept. Steep decline to the beach area and more mud than water. Lake was no more than 2-3 feet deep with at least as much mud. Not great for boats. Lots of birds to watch.

Park and park keeper were among the best. Had an electrical problem that resulted in entire outlet exchanged; fixed within a couple hours. Plenty of room between sites and space to enjoy. Property well kept. Steep decline to the beach area and more mud than water. Lake was no more than 2-3 feet deep with at least as much mud. Not great for boats. Lots of birds to watch.

The campground is in excellent condition, and it would be an easy decision to return again in the future. The only downside is that you may be disappointed about the lake view. This was due to lower than expected lake levels. I am not sure if that normal, but it made an impression on my visit. The good thing is that it is a short drive to other areas of the lake other lake activities.

The campground is in excellent condition, and it would be an easy decision to return again in the future. The only downside is that you may be disappointed about the lake view. This was due to lower than expected lake levels. I am not sure if that normal, but it made an impression on my visit. The good thing is that it is a short drive to other areas of the lake other lake activities.