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A gravel road curving into a high mountain valley at first light, the peaks catching the sun.

Army Corps of Engineers campground

Bear Creek Cove

Army Corps of Engineers campground in Kaw Lake, Kay County, Oklahoma. 1,053 feet. 5.7 miles from Kaw City.

Reserve on Recreation.gov
Managed by
Army Corps of Engineers Kaw Lake
Elevation
1,053 ft USGS elevation model, at the mapped point
Sites
22 22 standard electric
Longest rig
40 ft The longest vehicle any site is listed for
Hookups
Electric, Water, Sewer
Reservations
Recreation.gov
County
Kay County

Overview

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

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.

Facilities

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.

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.

Nearby Attractions

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

The description, directions and fees are the Army Corps of Engineers’s own words, from its record on Recreation.gov.

What people do here

  • boating
  • camping
  • fishing
  • wildlife viewing

The land around Bear Creek Cove

The ringed pin is this campground; the others are its nearest neighbours. Switch on forest roads or BLM routes to see the way in.

Map layers

Layers
Base map
Legend

Federal land, by managing agency

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • US Forest Service (USFS)
  • National Park Service (NPS)
  • US Fish and Wildlife (USFW)
  • Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)
  • Department Of Defense (DOD)
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)
  • Other Federal
  • State
  • Local
  • Alaska Native Lands (Patented or Interim Conveyed)
  • Alaska Native Allotment

Federal campgrounds, by agency

  • Forest Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Army Corps of Engineers
  • Reclamation, Fish and Wildlife and others

State and local land (USGS PAD-US)

  • State land
  • County and city land
  • Regional agency or district
  • Land trust or conservancy

Gaps with no tint inside public land are private parcels, often old mining claims and homesteads. They are not open to the public.

Dashed clay lines on the base map are unpaved tracks from OpenStreetMap. They show what exists on the ground, not what is legal to drive.

Select any point to see who manages the land.

Boundaries are approximate and land status changes. This map is a planning aid, not a survey or a statement of access. Confirm routes, closures and camping rules with the managing office.

Nearest campgrounds

Camping near

Source: Recreation Information Database (Recreation.gov), record updated February 25, 2026. Elevation from the USGS 3D Elevation Program. Seasons, fees, water and fire rules change; the managing office has the final word.

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