Army Corps of Engineers · Kaw Lake · Ponca City, OK

Bear Creek Cove

Bear Creek Cove Campground is situated along the banks of Kaw Lake in north central Oklahoma.

More like this: electric hookups in Oklahoma · full hookups in Oklahoma · reservable in Oklahoma · big rigs in Oklahoma · pets allowed in Oklahoma

Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
A photo of facility BEAR CREEK COVE with Electricity Hookup, Shade, Water HookupBEAR CREEK COVEA photo of facility BEAR CREEK COVE with No Amenities ShownA photo of facility BEAR CREEK COVE - shower house with flush toilets
Photos courtesy of Mark Salansky · Recreation.gov

Site mix

Standard with electric22
Most sites here open on Recreation.gov six months ahead, at 10 a.m. Eastern. Sold out is not final: cancellations come back into the pool, most of them two to three days out. How to catch one

Site guide

22 sites. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.

SiteEntrySurfaceShadePowerWater / sewerPeople / vehiclesFiresRating
01Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
02Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
03Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
04Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
05Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
06Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
07Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
08Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
09Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard
10Back-inPavedPartial30 ampYes / –8 / 2YesStandard

Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 6:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.

Amenities & rules

HookupsElectric, water, sewer
Max vehicle length40 ft
EquipmentRVs & trailers, Tents
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed, subject to restrictions

Bear Creek Cove offers 22 campsites with modern amenities like electric hookups, drinking water and flush toilets. A boat ramp provides easy access to the lake.

Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.

Weather by month

NOAA climate normals →
Weather by month near Bear Creek Cove30°40°50°60°70°80°90°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecJanuary: 35.0°F averageFebruary: 39.3°F averageMarch: 48.9°F averageApril: 58.0°F averageMay: 66.9°F averageJune: 76.2°F averageJuly: 80.2°F averageAugust: 79.3°F averageSeptember: 71.4°F averageOctober: 59.8°F averageNovember: 47.6°F averageDecember: 37.2°F averageTemp °F
The line is the average temperature at Newkirk 8E Mesonet, 4 miles from the campground at 1,200 feet, station USC00346282 in the NOAA monthly climate normals for 1991 to 2020.

Getting there

From Newkirk, Oklahoma, take Peckham Road and travel east for about 8 miles, turn right on Bear Creek Road and continue south for 3 miles. Campground will be on the right.

Nearest townPonca City, Oklahoma
Coordinates36.8400° N, 96.9108° W · Directions ↗

Supplies & services

Dump stationDump station ↗5 mi
RV sales & serviceCamping World ↗59.2 mi

Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.

Explore

Video

Bear Creek Cove Campground at Kaw Lake

Worth a stop

The area holds a number of historical sites, including several Native American settlements, archeological sites and the Pioneer Woman Museum.

Natural features

The lake covers 17,000 surface acres and has 168 miles of shoreline. Completed in 1976, the dam and lake help provide a recreational oasis for outdoor enthusiasts of all types.

Recreation

The lake and river are known for producing some of Oklahoma's largest catfish, as well as crappie, white bass and walleye, making it a popular destination for anglers. Hikers and horseback riders are attracted to the beautiful trails along the eastern shore. The Eagle View Hiking Trail is approximately 12 miles long and runs between Osage Cove and Burbank Landing. The Five Fingers Equestrian Trail extends from Burbank Landing to the Sarge Creek Cove Public Use Area. Hunters' skills are tested with excellent populations of whitetail deer, turkey, quail, rabbit and squirrel. During the fall waterfowl seasons Kaw Lake often attracts large numbers of migrating ducks and geese. During the winter visitors are likely to spot migrating bald eagles, as Kaw Lake has one of the biggest populations in the state.

Guidebooks for Oklahoma

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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.

Reference

Questions people ask

Do I need a reservation at Bear Creek Cove?

Sites at Bear Creek Cove are reservable on Recreation.gov. Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.

Source: Recreation.gov

What time is check-in at Bear Creek Cove?

Check-in 6:00 PM, checkout 4:00 PM.

Source: Recreation.gov

How many sites does Bear Creek Cove have?

22 sites, including 22 standard sites with power.

Source: Recreation.gov

Will my RV fit at Bear Creek Cove?

The longest site here provides 40 feet of vehicle capacity. Most sites are shorter. The sidebar tool checks a trailer or motorhome length against every site.

Source: Will my RV fit

Does Bear Creek Cove have hookups?

Yes, electric, water, and sewer hookups at some sites.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are there showers or a dump station at Bear Creek Cove?

Bear Creek Cove offers 22 campsites with modern amenities like electric hookups, drinking water and flush toilets.

Source: Recreation.gov

Are pets allowed at Bear Creek Cove?

Yes, pets are allowed at Bear Creek Cove. Leash rules apply.

Source: Recreation.gov

Can I have a campfire at Bear Creek Cove?

Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions.

Source: Recreation.gov

Is there cell service at Bear Creek Cove?

FCC coverage maps show AT&T 5G at the campground point. Terrain changes that from one site to the next.

Source: FCC Broadband Map

What is there to do at Bear Creek Cove?

The lake and river are known for producing some of Oklahoma's largest catfish, as well as crappie, white bass and walleye, making it a popular destination for anglers. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.

Source: Recreation

What is the nearest town to Bear Creek Cove?

Ponca City, Oklahoma. The area holds a number of historical sites, including several Native American settlements, archeological sites and the Pioneer Woman Museum.

Source: Getting there

What if Bear Creek Cove is full?

The nearest public campgrounds are Coon Creek (3.9 mi), Washunga Bay (4.9 mi), and Sarge Creek (7.6 mi).

Source: Campgrounds nearby