Cookson Bend

About

Cookson Bend Campground occupies a scenic peninsula on the eastern shore of Tenkiller Ferry Lake in northeastern Oklahoma's Green Country. The surrounding Cookson Hills rise from the lake with 200-foot limestone bluffs, and the 12,500-acre reservoir is fed by the Illinois River and Baron Fork, both designated Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. The lake's exceptional clarity makes it a destination for scuba divers, and ten marinas offer boat rentals, jet-skis, and floating restaurants. The campground provides approximately 130 sites split between two loops. Loop CBEN contains electric sites (mostly 30-amp with some 50-amp at sites 51-57) and water hookups, while Loop 0512 offers non-electric tent sites. All sites include a picnic table and fire pit. Facilities include waterborne restrooms with hot showers, drinking water, a dump station, swim beach, playground, and boat ramps. A marina with concessions sits adjacent to the campground. Fishing opportunities include black bass, white bass, striped bass, crappie, and catfish. The trout stream below Tenkiller Dam is one of only two year-round trout fisheries in Oklahoma, regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Nearby attractions include Tenkiller State Park with its scuba diving park, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, and Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation.

Directions

From Tahlequah, go 17.5 miles southeast on Highway 82. Look for signs for Tenkiller and turn right, then go two miles west on the paved access road to the campground.