Sheppard Point Corps of Engineers Campground

🏞️ **Introduction / Overview**

For Oklahoma residents seeking a traditional, nature-focused camping experience centered on water sports and extensive trail systems, **Sheppard Point Campground** is a prime destination. Managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (COE), this mid-sized campground is strategically located on the picturesque shores of **Heyburn Lake**, a reservoir nestled in the Sandstone Hills region near Bristow. It offers a classic outdoor setting, combining the natural beauty of wooded hills with direct access to fishing, boating, and swimming opportunities.

Sheppard Point is recognized not just for its lakeside setting, but for its unique appeal to the equestrian community, featuring specialized sites with direct access to multi-use trails. The park caters to a range of campers, offering everything from tent sites and non-electric spots to RV sites with electric hookups. The surrounding landscape, rich with oaks, hickory, and cottonwood trees, provides a stunning backdrop, especially in the spring when wild plum and redbud trees bloom, adding vibrant color to the setting.

While the campground staff are often highlighted as "very sweet" and helpful, consistent user feedback does point to areas needing attention, particularly regarding the maintenance and updating of certain facilities, such as restrooms. However, for those who prioritize a beautiful, quiet setting and ample recreational access—and are willing to accept older infrastructure—Sheppard Point delivers genuine value as a classic COE park. It is a place where the focus is firmly on the lake and the trails, providing a serene escape from urban Oklahoma life.

🗺️ **Location and Accessibility**

Sheppard Point Campground is conveniently located in the central eastern part of Oklahoma, near the town of Bristow. The campground sits on the northwest end of Heyburn Lake, placing it close to the Heyburn Wildlife Management Area (WMA) and approximately 30 miles southwest of Tulsa. The general location is:

Bristow, OK 74010, USA

While the address is listed as Bristow, access typically involves following signs south off State Highway 33 near Kellyville or taking State Highway 48 from Bristow. The park’s location ensures a tranquil setting away from heavy traffic while remaining accessible for RVs and trailers. Its management by the Army Corps of Engineers ensures the roads leading to the park and the facility itself are generally well-marked and maintained.

The proximity of the campground to major cities makes it a viable weekend escape for many Oklahomans. Furthermore, its setting in the picturesque Sandstone Hills, with its forests and gently sloping hills, provides a beautiful and manageable drive into a natural setting. Visitors can easily obtain specific directions, rules, and maps from the Sheppard Point gate house or the Heyburn Lake Project Office.

🛠️ **Services Offered**

As a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers facility, Sheppard Point provides a standardized suite of services focused on essential camping needs and recreation access:

• **Campsite Variety:** Offers a selection of sites including non-electric tent spots and electric hookup sites (30-amp, and some locations at Heyburn Lake also offer 50-amp, though specific availability at Sheppard Point should be confirmed).
• **Water & Sanitary:** Potable drinking water is available. The park provides shower facilities and restrooms, along with a central sanitary dump station for RV waste.
• **Recreation Facilities:** The campground includes a dedicated **boat ramp**, a **swim beach** (monitored seasonally for water quality), and a **playground**.
• **Group Amenities:** Two group picnic shelters are available for reservations, ideal for family reunions or larger gatherings.
• **Staff Support:** While some facilities may be dated, staff members, including the check-in attendant, are consistently noted as being "sweet" and helpful.
• **Equestrian Amenities:** Features specific sites designed to accommodate horses, including tether poles behind the sites, with direct access to the multi-use trail system.

✨ **Features / Highlights**

Sheppard Point Campground’s greatest highlights stem from its prime location on Heyburn Lake and the array of recreational activities it supports, especially for trail users:

• **Equestrian-Friendly Sites:** The ability to camp with your horse and have immediate, dedicated access to the multi-use trail system is a major, unique draw for horseback riders in Oklahoma.
• **Heyburn Lake Access:** Direct access to the lake for all popular water sports, including boating, water skiing, and fishing. The lake is especially known for good angling for catfish (including flathead and channel), bass, and crappie.
• **Multi-Use Trail System:** The presence of extensive trails suitable for **hiking, biking, and equestrian riding** ensures that land-based adventurers have plenty to explore, though travelers should note they can be "a little rutted from horses."
• **Designated Swim Beach:** A safe, designated area for swimming and sunbathing provides a great way to cool off during the hot Oklahoma summer (seasonal operation, typically monitored for safety and quality).
• **Natural Environment:** The park is surrounded by beautiful forests of native Oklahoma trees like oaks and hickory, providing excellent natural shade and a lovely setting for wildlife viewing and sightseeing.
• **Proximity to WMA:** Being close to the Heyburn Wildlife Management Area (WMA) opens up opportunities for hunting white-tailed deer, wild turkey, quail, and other upland game during designated seasons.

📞 **Contact Information**

For the most current information on site availability, operational status of facilities (especially restrooms/showers), and to make reservations, it is best to contact the Corps of Engineers Project Office responsible for Heyburn Lake, as Sheppard Point may be unstaffed at times:

Address: Bristow, OK 74010, USA (Sheppard Point Campground, Heyburn Lake COE)

Heyburn Lake Project Office Phone: **(918) 865-2621** (General Information/Keystone Office)

Alternative/Main Office Phone: **(918) 247-6391**

Reservations can typically be made via the National Recreation Reservation Service. It is highly advisable to call the Project Office ahead of time to confirm the operational status of the restrooms and the availability of specific electric hookups.

✅ **What is Worth Choosing**

Sheppard Point Campground is a compelling choice for Oklahoma campers who fall into one of two categories: **water recreation enthusiasts** and **equestrian campers**. What makes it distinctly worth choosing is the seamless integration of water access and specialized trail features, a combination not easily found.

If you own a boat or horse, the value here is clear: you get a dedicated boat ramp for lake access and equestrian sites with direct trail entry, all within a reasonably priced, federally managed park. For the general camper, the park offers a peaceful, forested setting with necessary utilities and a clean swimming beach, making it a reliable, traditional lakeside camping experience.

While the facilities may be "outdated" and require occasional user vigilance (such as bringing your own toilet paper), the core appeal—the wide-open water of Heyburn Lake, the shaded campsites, the dedicated swim area, and the miles of trails—outweighs the infrastructural limitations for many. It is a genuine, rustic-leaning outdoor spot where the natural environment is the primary amenity, perfect for those seeking to escape the highly manicured, commercial parks of the state.