Okemah Lake Park

Okemah Lake provides perfect getaways for day trips to overnight camping. Shady trees along the gentle lake edge beg for lazy day picnics. Cool lake water beckons for summer day swimming. As dusk settles, settle into camping areas to enjoy the stars. Don’t forget your fishing pole when you bring your boat for a tranquil day on the water.

Enjoy your stay at Okemah City Lake. We are proud of our park and lake areas.  The City of Okemah is very interested in your comments about our facilities. If you have a comment, call the Manager’s Office at 918-623-1050 or write to City Hall, 502 W. Broadway Street, Okemah, OK  74859.

Reserve online for camping at the lake, getting permits, or making cabin reservations.

 

Reservation and contact information

Camping and pavilion reservations are available. Boating Permits can be obtained through City Hall. For more information see below or please call 918-623-1050.

Reserve Online
Park Hours:
Sunrise to Sunset
Phone: 918-623-1050

General Park Rules

  • All pets shall be on a leash at all times
  • Campsites, trees, restrooms, or any other lake property shall be protected, not harmed, or destroyed.
  • All speed limits shall be obeyed.
  • Glass bottles and containers are prohibited.
  • Firearms (including air rifles and pellet guns) are not allowed.
  • All illegal drugs are prohibited.
  • Those persons causing a public disturbance shall be removed from the Lake area or arrested.
  • Intoxicated persons shall be arrested.
  • Pollution of the lake of any kind is prohibited
  • No rocks or plants shall be removed from their location.
  • DO NOT remove rocks from the shoreline for any reason.

Jaycee Point-Swimming Beach Area

Swimming shall be allowed only in the designated areas and all swimmers must remain inside· of the marking Children under 14 are not allowed to swim without an adult present. State Law No Swimming after sunset.

 

All Boaters must abide by the Oklahoma Boat & Water Rules, Regulations, and Safety Laws issued by the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety. Class “A” Boats include PWC (Personal Watercraft). It is the responsibility of the Boat operator to know the rules of the lake for boat and water safety. City of Okemah Ordinances shall apply to the Okemah City Lake.

 

Boating Fees

  • Annual Boat permit Fees are payable in advance by paying at Okemah City Hall, reserve online, or pay online.
    • Boat, Jet Ski/PWC
      • Daily Permit: $10.00
      • Annual Permit: $50.00
    • Kayak
      • Yearly Permit: $30.00
      • Daily Permit: $5.00
  • Note: Daily vouchers must be placed on the windshield of the vehicle for the day of the pass.

 

Boating Rules & Regulations

  • Boats with out of the water exhaust systems or any boat that disturbs the peace and tranquility of residents/visitors to the lake (as determined by the Lake Manager or any Okemah Police Officer) and its surrounding area are prohibited.
  • All Boats/PWC shall travel in a counter clockwise direction.
  • All Boats/PWC shall have a current Okemah Lake Permit attached unless a daily permit was issued.
  • Boats/PWC shall not be allowed within 150 feet of the swimming area.
  • Operators of Boats/PWC shall be 14 years of age or older. Operators under the age of 16 shall be accompanied by a responsible adult and must also have taken/passed a boaters safety course.
  • No Boat/PWC Wake shall be allowed within 150 feet of any boat ramp, boat dock, boat house, shoreline or when passing through the area of the old dam from either direction.
  • No Jet Ski/PWC shall be allowed in the Old part of the lake, Unless the person operating the PWC is traveling to a dock within the old lake. Then an idle speed must be maintained on the PWC directly to and from the dock.
  • A distance of 150 feet shall be maintained from any dock, raft, boathouse, anchored or moored vessel except when proceeding at no wake speed.
  • No person shall operate or give permission to operate parasails, water skis, surfboards, or similar device or any vessel in a reckless or negligent manner so as to endanger the life or property of any person.
  • No person shall operate any motorboat, vessel or similar device while intoxicated or under the influence of a controlled substance.
  • The Old Lake is a NO WAKE ZONE.

HUNTING & FISHING

  • All federal, state, and city laws shall be obeyed.
  • All Persons shall possess a current Oklahoma license or exemption.
  • Noodling for fish is not allowed.
  • No Hunting shall be allowed except waterfowl hunting (only during the season and with a permit).
  • Duck blinds may be placed on a first-come, first-served basis but must be removed immediately after the season ends.

BASS TOURNAMENT RULES AND REGULATIONS

  1. All tournaments must be booked and paid for in advance.
  2. $10.00 Per boat entrance fee.
  3. No more than 20 boats per tournament.
  4. No more than one tournament per day.
  5. No more than one tournament per weekend.
  6. All fish caught are to be released after the weigh-in, except fish that will not live or if they are a state record
  7. Persons weighing in fish must wear wet cloth or rubber gloves and if all possible handle the fish by lip only.
  8. All boats used in the tournament must have aerated live wells and the live wells should be running at all times with either fish protection pellets or fish protection liquid in live wells.
  9. There is a four-fish limit per team or four fish per boat.
  10. No tournaments will be held during the months of July and August.
  11. No tournaments will be held on holidays.
  12. If the air temperature is forecast to be more than 85 degrees for that day, then weigh-in will be done at 1:00 pm.
  13. One arm creek of the lake will be closed to all fishing during spawning season, March 1 through May 31.

For more information on bass tournaments contact City Hall (918) 623-1050.

Camping and Pavilion

Fees shall be paid at City Hall Monday – Friday 8 a.m to 4:30 p.m.

Reservations for areas may be done up to one year ahead of time by payment in advance at City Hall.

Please Note:
There will be No Refunds.
Rain checks are available but must be requested at least two (2) weeks before the reservation date.

Non-Fee Areas: Camping or other picnic facilities located in the non-fee area (Jaycee Point-Swimming Beach Area) may be used by the public on a first-come, first-served basis without payment. However, anyone wishing to reserve the pavilion and Jaycee Point will be required to pay the fee as shown.

Fees:
Camping and Pavilion Spaces may be reserved up to one year ahead of time.
All reservations are scheduled and paid at City Hall 918-623-1050, 8:00 to 4:00 Monday-Friday or reserve online.
In case of emergency after hours contact the Lake Manager at 918-623-8200.

  • Electric & water services:
    $25.00 per night / $20.00 Seniors
  • Primitive site (no electric or water):
    $15.00 per night / $10.00 Seniors
  • Pavilion site:
    $30.00 per day
  • Monthly RV for camping with electric & water:
    $400.00 per month (During the off-peak season​ only)
    During season you may camp at 1 site for 14 days in a 30-day period.
    NOTE: To be eligible, must provide proof of residence. Must provide a suitable reason if extending camping beyond a month, such as work, family illness, etc. The fee is due at the start of the month of the 30 day period. The location of the monthly camping space will include the placement in the least used camping sites. Monthly sites will be discontinued during peak season, which runs from Memorial Day until Labor after which a per night rate must be paid.
  • ATV/Golf Cart Permits:
    $25.00 Annual Permit Sticker.
    NOTE: City of Okemah permitted ATV’s, UTV’s and Golf Carts are allowed. All ATV’s, UTV’s and golf carts are required to follow the rules of the road. Download Application for ATV Golf Cart Permit or pick one up from City Hall.

 

Additional Times & Rules

  • Check-in Time for campsites is 1:00 p.m.
  • Checkout Time for campsites is 12:00 p.m.
  • The entrance gate shall be open from sunrise to sunset. Gates may be opened earlier or closed later by the Lake Manager for special events. If additional time is needed, contact the Lake Manager ahead of time for special arrangements.
  • Exit from the Lake by means of a one-way traffic controller shall be allowed at all times providing all other rules and regulations are obeyed.
  • All speed limits are posted shall be obeyed.
  • Quiet Time is 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  • Peace and Quiet: To ensure peace and adequate rest, no person shall conduct himself that he, in a disorderly manner, disturbs others between the hours of eleven o’clock (11:00) P.M. and six o’clock (6:00) A.M., daily. Without limiting the foregoing, no person shall shout, sing, play radios, phonographs, television, instruments, or other such electronic or mechanical instruments in such a manner that same emits sound beyond the immediate area (campsite) between the hours of eleven o’clock (11:00) P.M. and six o’clock (6:00) A.M., daily.
  • Each camper or park user shall be responsible for keeping their space clean. Remember, cigarettes and pop tabs are litter.
  • Glass bottles and containers are prohibited.
  • Pollution of the lake is prohibited.
  • All pets must be leashed at all times.
  • Swimming shall be allowed only in the designated areas. All swimmers must remain inside of the marking buoys located in swimming area, unless accompanied by a boat or water craft outside of 150 ft of shore line or off a private dock with the permission of dock owners. Children under 14 are not allowed to swim without an adult present. State Law.
  • NO SWIMMING anywhere in the lake after sunset.
  • Campsites, trees, rest rooms, or any other lake property shall be protected, not harmed or destroyed.
  • DO NOT remove rocks from shoreline for any reason.
  • All illegal drugs are prohibited.
  • Firearms (including air rifles and pellet guns) are not allowed.