Caney Creek Campground Review: Army Corps of Engineers Camping at Lake Texoma
If you’re looking for an affordable, peaceful place to camp near Lake Texoma, Caney Creek Recreation Area near Kingston, Oklahoma, is definitely one to consider.
We spent a full week here during our travels, and between the big campsites, shady trees, lake views, and incredibly reasonable camping rate, it turned out to be a great place to settle in for a while.
Caney Creek is an Army Corps of Engineers campground on the Oklahoma side of Lake Texoma, not far from the Texas border.
And if you qualify for the federal Senior Pass discount, the price is hard to beat.
Camping at Caney Creek Recreation Area
One of the first things we noticed about Caney Creek was the amount of space.
Our campsite was large, with plenty of room around the trailer and lots of mature trees throughout the campground.
The trees were actually one of my favorite things about the place. After traveling through areas where shade can be hard to come by, having a wooded campsite was wonderful.
The campground was also surprisingly quiet during our visit.
We expected it to fill up over the weekend, but we’d had quite a bit of rainy weather, which may have kept some campers away.
The waterfront and near-water campsites were another story.
Those were popular.
If having one of the best Lake Texoma views is important to you, I’d recommend making your reservation early.
Our Campsite
Our site wasn’t directly on the waterfront, but we could still see Lake Texoma through the trees.
We had plenty of room for the trailer, truck, and outdoor living space without feeling crowded by neighboring campers.
That’s something we’ve really come to appreciate about many Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds.
They’re often designed around outdoor recreation rather than trying to squeeze as many RVs as possible into a small area.
Caney Creek certainly gave us room to spread out.
Water and Electric Hookups
Our campsite included water and electric hookups.
There wasn’t a sewer connection at the individual site, but a dump station was conveniently located nearby.
For a weeklong stay, that arrangement worked perfectly well for us.
As always, hookup availability can vary by campsite, so check the details for the particular site you’re reserving rather than assuming every site has the same amenities.
Camping on Lake Texoma
The real star here is Lake Texoma.
This enormous reservoir stretches along the Oklahoma-Texas border and is a major recreation destination for the region.
Even from our campsite, we could catch glimpses of the lake through the trees.
During our stay we enjoyed walking along the water, watching the birds, and simply having some downtime after so much traveling.
We even found fossils among the rocks along the shoreline, which was an unexpected little bonus.
There were also walking areas around the campground that gave us plenty of opportunities to get outside with General.
For us, Caney Creek was less about packing every day with activities and more about enjoying the simple pleasure of camping beside a beautiful lake.
Sometimes that’s exactly what we need.
A Great Campground for Bird Watching
If you enjoy watching wildlife, keep your eyes open around the lake.
We spotted a beautiful white egret during our stay, which made me especially happy because egrets are one of my favorite birds.
Between the water, shoreline, woods, and relatively peaceful surroundings, this is the kind of campground where it’s worth keeping a pair of binoculars handy.
You never know what might wander or fly past.
Tent Camping at Caney Creek
Caney Creek also had a separate loop intended for tent camping.
That section was closed during our visit, although it appeared to be in good condition when we walked through it.
We weren’t sure why it was closed, but the views of Lake Texoma from that section were absolutely beautiful.
If you’re planning to tent camp, I’d check its current status before your trip rather than assuming that loop will be available.
One of Our Cheapest Camping Stays
One of the best things about our stay was the price.
At the time of our visit, the campsite was $7 per night with Ed’s Senior Pass.
Seven dollars.
For a campsite with water and electric hookups near Lake Texoma.
We stayed for an entire week, which gave us a chance to slow down without spending much at all on camping.
Rates and discount policies can change, of course, so always check the current price when making a reservation.
But our stay was a great example of why we’ve come to appreciate Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds.
For RVers who qualify for federal recreation pass discounts, they can offer some exceptional camping bargains.
Why We Like Army Corps of Engineers Campgrounds
Caney Creek illustrates many of the things that make COE campgrounds appealing to RV travelers.
You often find them near lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and other recreation areas.
And instead of resort-style amenities, the emphasis tends to be on the things we care about most:
Space.
Nature.
Water.
Peace and quiet.
And affordable camping.
We’re perfectly happy without a swimming pool or fancy clubhouse when we can sit outside beneath the trees and look toward a beautiful lake.
What We Liked About Caney Creek
There was a lot to like about our stay:
- Large campsites
- Plenty of mature trees and shade
- Water and electric hookups at our site
- Nearby dump station
- Lake Texoma views
- Quiet atmosphere
- Lots of room between many of the campsites
- Opportunities for walking and bird watching
- Very affordable camping with the Senior Pass
The waterfront sites would be especially appealing if you’re able to reserve one.
Things to Know Before You Go
Caney Creek isn’t a fancy RV resort, and that’s part of its appeal.
If you’re looking for pools, organized activities, paved resort-style patios, and lots of entertainment, this probably isn’t the campground you’re looking for.
But if you want to park the RV beneath the trees, enjoy Lake Texoma, take some walks, watch the wildlife, and relax for a few days, it’s a very different story.
Also remember that the best sites near the water can go quickly, particularly during popular camping periods.
And because facilities, loops, rates, and hookup availability can change, check the current campground information when planning your stay.
Would We Stay at Caney Creek Again?
Absolutely.
For us, Caney Creek Recreation Area offered exactly what we needed at that point in our travels.
It was quiet.
It was spacious.
It was beautiful.
And it was cheap.
We spent a week beneath the trees near Lake Texoma, had room to relax, enjoyed walking around the campground and shoreline, and didn’t feel like we needed to rush off somewhere every day.
Sometimes the best campground isn’t the one with the longest amenities list.
Sometimes it’s the place that gives you a big campsite, a beautiful lake, a little shade, and enough peace and quiet to remember why you wanted to go camping in the first place.
Caney Creek did that for us.
We’ll see you down the road…and Over The Hills!
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