Pettit Bay

Hello, fellow Oklahomans! Are you ready to escape the everyday and immerse yourselves in some of the clearest waters and most stunning natural beauty our state has to offer? Then it's time to discover Pettit Bay. Nestled on the shores of the magnificent Tenkiller Ferry Lake in Park Hill, Pettit Bay Public Use Area is more than just a campground; it’s a recreational paradise that consistently draws visitors back year after year. This comprehensive guide is tailored specifically for you, our local Oklahoma community, providing an engaging and factual overview of why Pettit Bay should be at the top of your list for your next outdoor adventure.

Tenkiller Ferry Lake is famously known as "Oklahoma's clear water paradise," and Pettit Bay exemplifies this title perfectly. Whether you're an avid angler, a scuba diving enthusiast, a family looking for a safe swim beach, or simply someone who enjoys the tranquility of lakeside camping, Pettit Bay offers an ideal setting. This well-kept facility, managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provides a range of amenities designed to make your stay comfortable and enjoyable. We'll delve into its convenient location, the diverse services and features that cater to all types of campers, and what makes it a particularly suitable destination for Oklahomans seeking genuine outdoor recreation and relaxation. Get ready to explore all that Pettit Bay has to offer for your next memorable escape!

Pettit Bay Public Use Area is strategically located at RT 1 BOX 259, Park Hill, OK 74451, USA, on the beautiful Tenkiller Ferry Lake. This prime location places it in the heart of "Green Country," northeastern Oklahoma's picturesque region known for its dense oak-hickory forests, tall bluffs, and rolling hills.

For Oklahomans, accessing Pettit Bay is quite convenient. From the historic town of Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation, the campground is an easy drive. Typically, you would travel south on Highway 82 for about 8.25 miles, then turn right onto Indian Road for two miles, followed by a left turn onto the paved access road for another mile southeast. This straightforward routing ensures a hassle-free journey for all visitors, including those towing boats or RVs. From Tulsa, the drive is approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, offering a manageable distance for a weekend getaway. Even from Oklahoma City, while a longer journey of around 3 hours, the destination's appeal makes it well worth the drive for extended vacations. The accessibility of Pettit Bay means that residents from various parts of Oklahoma can easily reach this clear-water haven, allowing more time for enjoyment and less time on the road. Its secluded yet accessible nature perfectly balances a sense of escape with the convenience of being able to reach nearby towns like Tahlequah for supplies or exploration.

Services Offered:

• Diverse Campsite Options: Pettit Bay offers a variety of campsites, including both electric hookup and non-electric (primitive) sites to suit different camping preferences. These sites are designed to accommodate both RVs and multiple tents (up to 3 tents or 1 wheeled camper and 2 tents per pad).
• Full Hookups (Select Sites): While not all sites are full hookup, some RV sites at Pettit Bay (specifically in Pettit Bay II) offer electric, water, and sewer connections for added convenience.
• Clean Restrooms and Hot Showers: The campground provides well-maintained flush toilets and hot shower facilities, ensuring a comfortable and refreshing experience for all campers.
• Picnic Tables and Fire Pits/Standing Grills: Each campsite is equipped with a picnic table and either a fire pit or a standing grill, perfect for outdoor cooking and enjoying meals under the stars.
• Water Hydrants: Easily accessible water hydrants are available throughout the campground for potable water.
• Dump Station: For RV campers, a convenient dump station is provided for proper waste disposal.
• Swim Beach: A designated swim beach offers a safe and enjoyable area for swimming and relaxing by the clear waters of Tenkiller Ferry Lake.
• Playground: A playground is available for children, ensuring entertainment for younger visitors.
• Boat Ramps with Courtesy Docks: Excellent facilities for boaters, including boat ramps and courtesy docks, allow for easy launching and retrieval of watercraft.
• Adjacent Marina with Concessions: A marina is located adjacent to the campground, offering additional services such as concessions, and potentially boat/jet-ski rentals.
• Campsite Hosts: On-site campground hosts are available to assist campers and ensure a smooth experience.
• Access Pass Acceptance: The campground honors the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Access Pass for disabled veterans and other eligible individuals, providing discounts on camping fees.

Features / Highlights:

• "Oklahoma's Clear Water Paradise": Tenkiller Ferry Lake is renowned for its exceptional water clarity, making Pettit Bay a premier destination for swimming, scuba diving (with high visibility), and other water sports.
• Abundant Water Recreation: The lake offers extensive opportunities for boating, water skiing, fishing (black bass, white bass, striped bass, crappie, catfish, and year-round trout fishing below the dam), and sailing due to prevailing winds and secluded coves.
• Scenic Beauty and Wildlife: Nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, the area boasts dense oak-hickory forests, tall bluffs, and rolling hills. Wildlife such as deer, turkey, and a variety of migratory birds, including bald eagles, are common sightings.
• Well-Kept Waterfront Facility: As a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers managed public use area, Pettit Bay is known for its well-maintained grounds and facilities, contributing to a pleasant camping experience.
• Proximity to Tahlequah: The campground is near the historic town of Tahlequah, allowing visitors to explore its rich Cherokee history and culture.
• Hiking Opportunities: Trails around the lake provide stunning views and opportunities for nature walks and wildlife observation.
• Affordable Camping: Visitors often praise Pettit Bay for being an affordable camping option, especially given the range of amenities and beautiful setting.
• Seasonal Changes: The area is particularly beautiful as the seasons change, offering distinct experiences throughout the year.
• Pet-Friendly (with restrictions): Pets are welcome in the RV area and on hiking trails, allowing families to bring their furry friends, though they are not allowed on swim beaches.

Contact Information:

Address: RT 1 BOX 259, Pettit Bay Public Use Area, Park Hill, OK 74451, USA

Phone: (918) 487-5252

Pettit Bay stands as an exceptional and highly suitable destination for locals across Oklahoma, offering an ideal blend of natural beauty, recreational opportunities, and convenient amenities. For Oklahomans, its primary appeal lies in its designation as "Oklahoma's clear water paradise." The ability to enjoy pristine waters for swimming, scuba diving, and a variety of water sports right here in our home state is a significant draw, eliminating the need for long-distance travel to other regions.

The well-maintained facilities, courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ensure a comfortable and reliable camping experience for all. Whether you're bringing a large RV with specific power needs, or prefer the simplicity of tent camping, Pettit Bay accommodates a range of preferences. The positive experiences shared by fellow Oklahomans, highlighting the helpfulness of staff, the availability of essential hookups (including standard household plugs, as one review noted, indicating versatile power options), and the acceptance of the Access Pass for disabled veterans, reinforce its local suitability and inclusive nature. Furthermore, the presence of fire pits, grills, clean restrooms with hot showers, and a swim beach directly caters to the desires of families and groups looking for a comprehensive outdoor getaway. Its proximity to the historic town of Tahlequah also adds an extra layer of cultural exploration to a purely outdoor trip. Pettit Bay truly offers a complete and authentic Oklahoma outdoor experience, making it a beloved and highly recommended spot for our local community to relax, recreate, and create lasting memories.