Hawthorn Bluff

Summary

Hawthorn Bluff at Oologah Lake provides a picturesque setting for outdoor activities, including boating, fishing, swimming and hunting. With campsites with electric hookups, two group day-use picnic shelters and an amphitheater, the area is ideal for both recreation and special events. Nearby, Dog Iron Ranch offers a living history museum and 400 acres with Texas Longhorns.

Overview

Hawthorn Bluff is located on Oologah Lake in northeastern Oklahoma, less than 30 miles from Tulsa.

The lake provides an ideal getaway for fishing, boating, picnicking and camping. Prevailing winds make Oologah one of the most popular lakes in the area for sailing.

Recreation

Oologah Lake is a prime location for boating, sailing, water skiing and swimming. Several recreation areas with boat ramps and docks are scattered around the lake, including at Hawthorn Bluff.

Fishing is a very popular activity. Black bass, crappie, paddlefish, channel and blue catfish, walleye and hybrid striped bass are the primary sport species found in the lake. Young anglers love the Kid's Sun, Fun and Fishing Derby Day held annually in June.

The forested hills of the Oologah Wildlife Management Area provide excellent hunting opportunities, with nearly 13,000 acres open to the public.

Facilities

This large campground offers numerous campsites, many of which have 30-amp electric hookups. Two group day-use picnic shelters are available, as is a unique amphitheater with a gazebo that is ideal for ceremonies and weddings. The group facilities are Accessible and accommodate up to 100 guests each.

Flush and pit toilets, showers and a dump station are provided. A playground and interpretive nature trail are located within the campground.

Natural Features

Oologah Lake sits on the Verdigris River with a surface area of nearly 30,000 acres. Over 200 miles of shoreline are dominated by old-growth post oak and blackjack oak forests, which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife and birds, including deer, turkey, rabbits, quail, squirrels, ducks, geese and doves.

Nearby Attractions

Dog Iron Ranch, the birthplace of Will Rogers, is nearby. The ranch is a living history museum featuring Rogers' two-story post-Civil War birth home, educational programs, picnic areas and a 400-acre pasture on the lake shore with Texas Longhorn cattle and other livestock. The ranch is open year-round.