Lake Thunderbird State Park in central Oklahoma is most known for its over 8 miles of biking and hiking trails. It’s also conveniently situated 30 minutes south of Oklahoma City to the east of Norman, OK. Learn about my experience and what to expect at this wonderful park that is close to a large portion of the people in Oklahoma!
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Pros
- Close to Oklahoma City
- Most trail miles in the Oklahoma State Park system
- Lots of lake and hiking activities
Cons
- Very crowded state park
Camping at Lake Thunderbird
I stayed at the Turkey Pass campground situated on the southern part of Lake Thunderbird. It cost $33 per night to stay in spot 6. It’s located right off of Highway 9 which will take you right into Norman, OK. The campground is a standard large RV park and when I visited it was about 75% full. There were lots of families and lots of RVs. Many people had boats at their spots and utilized the nearby ramp throughout the day.
The bathroom was average and consisted of bathrooms and then shower rooms on the back half. The showers were free and not coin-operated which is a great perk these days! The campground was clean and well-kept and everything was in working order. I’d return to this campground again!
Trekking at Lake Thunderbird
This state park is advertised as having the most miles of trails in the state park system and there’s a lot! The sign shows several different paths to take including a 3-mile, 13-mile, and a 10-mile advanced loop to take advantage of all the trails. Bikers, hikers, and even horses are allowed on most of these paths so make sure to follow etiquette and yield rules when on the paths. They can be very busy!
There are also several other trail areas around this large lake but the Clear Bay area is the densest. You can continue east and travel over the dam and hike to the northern areas for the most adventurous of people! I didn’t explore the northern and eastern areas but this could be an easy day trip from Oklahoma City.
The Area
The Lake Thunderbird area is busy and located only about 10 miles to the east of Norman which is part of the Oklahoma City metro area. Anything you would need can be found in Norman including groceries, vets, or fuel.
It’s also about 45 minutes from downtown Oklahoma City if you want to see some big-city amenities like Bricktown, a basketball game, or have some unique eats. It’s also centrally located in the state so it’s very accessible to the majority of the population.
Lake Thunderbird State Park Ratings
Bathrooms
The bathroom at the campground was average. It did have a leak and there was some water but the room was clean but did show some age. The showers were also free and not coin-operated.
Campsites
The RV park looked great and everything was managed and clean.
Activities at Lake Thunderbird
This lake has all the state park amenities you could imagine. There is a nature center, several boat ramps, miles of hiking trails, picnic areas, and a marina and fishing area. There are tons to do at this sub-urban park!
Location
The park is located only a few miles from the OKC metro so if you need to get anything you have a lot of options. It also is a very large lake and you can go all around for all kinds of activities!
AT&T Cell Service
I got good speeds from my AT&T prepaid cell service.
Conclusion
Lake Thunderbird State Park is a park I have been sleeping on being so close to it from Oklahoma City. I was surprised by how much biking and hiking is there and how close it is to OKC. This park would be a great weekend getaway or a day trip and super close for just a quick hike. I’d recommend anyone in central Oklahoma to enjoy this great park!
The state park is about 25 miles from central Oklahoma City.
Most campsites and trails are dog friendly. Make sure to check with the park on your specific circumstances.
I paid $33 per night in March for electricity, water, and an uncovered picnic area.
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