Bear Creek Cove
Kaw Lake — lakeside, fishing
Location: PONCA CITY, OK, OK
Price: From $22 per night
Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (76 reviews)
Season: May through October
Bear Creek Cove Campground is situated along the banks of Kaw Lake in north central Oklahoma.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.
Cell coverage (FCC estimate): moderate signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 100%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.
Amenities: Fire Rings, Picnic Tables, Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Electric Hookups, Fishing, Boat Launch
Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bear-creek-cove to be notified when sites open up.
Bear Creek Cove sits on Kaw Lake, known for producing some of Oklahoma's largest catfish plus crappie, white bass, and walleye. The campground offers direct lake access with a boat launch and 12-mile Eagle View Hiking Trail along the eastern shore.
Wildlife alert: Timber rattlesnakes confirmed in the area (iNaturalist research-grade). Also watch for Scissor-tailed Flycatchers and Northern Mockingbirds.
Insider tips for Bear Creek Cove: Book early — it's a federal campground with only 22 total sites and known to fill up quickly Electric hookups available on select sites only; confirm hookup availability when reserving if you need power Coming from Newkirk, OK? Take Peckham Road east 8 miles, then Bear Creek Road south 3 miles to find the entrance
Skip Bear Creek Cove if: You need water/sewer hookups — the campground has no sewer and only electric on select sites. You're visiting November through April — seasonal operations mean the campground is closed outside May-October. Severe thunderstorms are a concern — current NWS forecast shows severe storms possible in the area.
Best time to visit Bear Creek Cove: May through October — Campground operates seasonally during these months only per RIDB data.
Nearby campgrounds: Coon Creek (Ok) (PONCA CITY, OK), Washunga Bay (PONCA CITY, OK), Pioneer Cove Picnic Shelter (Ponca City, OK), Sarge Creek (PONCA CITY, OK).
Cell Phone Coverage at Bear Creek Cove
Cell signal at Bear Creek Cove (PONCA CITY, OK): moderate overall signal based on FCC broadband data. Best carrier: Verizon.
- Verizon 4G LTE: 100% coverage
- AT&T 4G LTE: 100% coverage
Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.
Bear Creek Cove Campground is situated along the banks of Kaw Lake in north central Oklahoma.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.
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseAmenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedStraight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
it's a federal campground with only 22 total sites and known to fill up quickly
Electric hookups available on select sites only; confirm hookup availability when reserving if you need power
Coming from Newkirk, OK? Take Peckham Road east 8 miles, then Bear Creek Road south 3 miles to find the entrance
Campground operates seasonally during these months only per RIDB data
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetFCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal. Best carrier: Verizon.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmLocation
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
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.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Kaw Lake fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Kaw Lake before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Bear Creek Cove cost per night?+
What season is Bear Creek Cove open?+
Does Bear Creek Cove have hookups?+
What is the maximum RV length at Bear Creek Cove?+
How do I make reservations at Bear Creek Cove?+
What is the cell service like at Bear Creek Cove?+
What season is Bear Creek Cove open, and what are check-in times?+
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
Nearby Campgrounds
Own a campground nearby?
List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.