Birch Cove
1Heads up1 fire 12 mi away
- Right now
- Taking bookingsSites offered on 30 of the next 30 nights read 16:19 UTC
- A night
- $16–$20Across the site types the agency prices
- Sites
- 98All of them booked ahead
The place
the agency’s own description · what’s there · 7 notices
In the agency’s own words
Birch Cove is located at Birch Lake in Osage County, Oklahoma. Cradled in valleys surrounded by rolling, forested hills, the lake is a perfect setting for nature lovers and other outdoor enthusiasts. The lake is small yet scenic and offers several excellent outdoor recreational opportunities for year-round enjoyment, such as fishing, boating, swimming, horseback riding and picnicking. Keep reading
Recreation
Birch Lake is popular for fishing and hunting, as well as family fun and relaxation. Fish species available for the angler include largemouth bass, walleye, spotted bass, smallmouth bass, hybrid striped bass, black and white crappie, channel and flathead catfish and sunfish. Principal game species for hunting enthusiasts include bobwhite quail, mourning dove, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, cottontail rabbit and whitetail deer.
Facilities
With a boat ramp, fishing dock, playground, and a swim beach, Birch Cove has something for everyone. All campsites are on the waterfront or within a short walk from the lake. There are also two group camping shelters that can be reserved; one shelter accommodates 6 rv/trailers, 100 people and 21 vehicles, and the other accommodates 4 rv/trailers, 60 people and 11 vehicles.
Natural Features
Birch Cove Campground is forested, and most sites have a mix of sun and shade. The 1,137-acre lake is part of Birch Creek, a tributary of Bird Creek. The shoreline ranges from gentle to steep slopes with numerous rock outcrops. The hilltops and upper slopes are generously forested with small hardwood trees, primarily post oak, blackjack, other oaks, hickory, hackberry and elm. Numerous species of grasses and wildflowers bloom in spring and fall. Forests, tallgrass prairie and shrub ecosystems surround the lake area. Contact Info For facility specific information, please call (918) 847-2220.
What the agency tells you
Check-in is at 3 P.M. and check-out is at 1 P.M.
A campground attendant is available from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday-Monday.
Gates close at 10pm-6am every day.
Everything else this campground posts · 4
Glass containers, alcohol, and pets are not permitted at the swim beach
All sites share water. It is recommended to bring extra hose.
Sites come accommodated with 30 amp electrical service.
Don't Move Firewood: Protect your forests from tree-killing pests by buying your firewood locally and burning it on-site. Visit Dontmovefirewood.org for further information.
Tents and rigs
- Sites
- 98
- Hookups
- 98 electric, 96 water
- Longest rig
- 132 ft
- Paved pads
- 87 of 98
- Accessible sites
- 2
- Pets
- Allowed
- Campfires
- Allowed, barring fire bans
- Shade
- Every site
Facilities
- Drinking water
- Yes
- WATER (SEASONAL) on 11 of 98 campsite records
- Dump station
- Yes
- recreation.gov lists “Dump Station”
- Boat ramp
- Yes
- Playground
- Yes
- Stay limit
- 14 nights
- recreation.gov facility rule maxStay
Around the campground
- On the water
- Lake, Creek, Beach
- Boating
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Hunting
- Swimming
- Night sky · 67th darkest of 106 in OK
- Bortle 4
82 of 190 site-nights open this Friday and Saturdayread 16:19 UTC
Every site here is reservable, and the record lists none held back for anyone who drives up.
OpenBooked
Watch for a cancellation
Full? Watch it.
One email when a night opens, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We read recreation.gov once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time a site in your window is free for the nights you asked for.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
Tell me when the season opens
Watch for the season to open
One email when the season goes on sale, plus More Than Just Parks dispatches. Unsubscribe any time.
We check once an hour, at 40 minutes past, and write the first time the agency has that season on sale.
Scanners that check every few minutes exist, and most of them charge. This one is free, it reads the same calendar, and it won’t always be first.
We make nothing when you book. The link goes straight to the government.
Every line of the receipt · 14
What you actually pay
Derived by CAMPANAC: the agency’s published rates for this season, $16–$20 a night, plus one $8 recreation.gov reservation fee for the booking. A weekend here means Friday and Saturday night, booked once. Optional charges (an extra vehicle, a second tent, a dump-station fee) are listed separately and aren’t in this total.
Who keeps the booking fee
The agency’s own policy text says the reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee are “retained by the reservation service contractor”, and that a campground concessionaire will decline to refund them because “they did not receive these fees”. Recreation.gov is run under contract by Booz Allen Hamilton. What share of your booking fee the contractor keeps isn’t published in any federal dataset we can read, so we print no number for it. Our reporting on the contract →
How we know this receipt · 5
recreation.gov availability, read 16:19 UTC · rules read Sep 9, 2026 · rates Sep 10, 2026 · How we know all this
The sites
98 sites · which ones have room · the site map
The sites, ranked
from 87 mapped sitesAll 98 sites
The price is derived by CAMPANAC, not published per site: the per-night rate this campground publishes for each site’s own site type. 98 of the 98 sites listed carry one, and a site whose type has no published rate sits out of the price rather than being called free.
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B002 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B003 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B004 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B005 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B006 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B007 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B008 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B009 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B010 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B011 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| B-Loop (Outside of Gated Main Campground) | B012 | standard electric | 30 amp | $16–$20 | ||||
| Gated Main Campground | 007 | standard electric | 62 ft | 30 amp | 55 ft | 738 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 008 | standard electric | 70 ft | 30 amp | 55 ft | 727 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 009 | standard electric | 70 ft | 30 amp | 71 ft | 791 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 010 | standard electric | 72 ft | 30 amp | 73 ft | 692 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 011 | standard electric | 76 ft | 30 amp | 73 ft | 761 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 12 | standard electric | 70 ft | 30 amp | 60 ft | 662 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 13 | standard electric | 73 ft | 30 amp | 67 ft | 721 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 14 | standard electric | 67 ft | 30 amp | 60 ft | 634 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 15 | standard electric | 81 ft | 30 amp | 63 ft | 683 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 16 | standard electric | 69 ft | 30 amp | 83 ft | 552 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 17 | standard electric | 100 ft | 30 amp | 83 ft | 631 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 18 | standard electric | 87 ft | 30 amp | 68 ft | 519 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 19 | standard electric | 68 ft | 30 amp | 68 ft | 477 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 20 | standard electric | 72 ft | 30 amp | 74 ft | 420 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 21 | standard electric | 67 ft | 30 amp | 74 ft | 394 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 22 | standard electric | 68 ft | 30 amp | 72 ft | 278 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 23 | standard electric | 58 ft | 30 amp | 72 ft | 345 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 24 | standard electric | 65 ft | 30 amp | 78 ft | 269 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 25 | standard electric | 47 ft | 30 amp | 57 ft | 251 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 26 | standard electric | 54 ft | 30 amp | 57 ft | 213 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 27 | standard electric | 59 ft | 30 amp | 85 ft | 129 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 28 | standard electric | 63 ft | 30 amp | 82 ft | 132 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 29 | standard electric | 68 ft | 30 amp | 82 ft | 142 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 30 | standard electric | 65 ft | 30 amp | 77 ft | 222 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 31 | standard electric | 62 ft | 30 amp | 112 ft | 278 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 32 | standard electric | 51 ft | 30 amp | 81 ft | 1,069 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 33 | standard electric | 59 ft | 30 amp | 74 ft | 1,079 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 34 | standard electric | 53 ft | 30 amp | 74 ft | 1,082 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 35 | standard electric | 58 ft | 30 amp | 78 ft | 1,085 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 36 | standard electric | 56 ft | 30 amp | 76 ft | 1,034 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 37 | standard electric | 63 ft | 30 amp | 58 ft | 959 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 38 | standard electric | 56 ft | 30 amp | yes | 58 ft | 903 ft | $16–$20 |
| Gated Main Campground | 39 | standard electric | 59 ft | 30 amp | yes | 73 ft | 676 ft | $16–$20 |
| Gated Main Campground | 40 | standard electric | 132 ft | 30 amp | 109 ft | 693 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 41 | standard electric | 67 ft | 30 amp | 73 ft | 603 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 42 | standard electric | 67 ft | 30 amp | 73 ft | 542 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 43 | standard electric | 60 ft | 30 amp | 73 ft | 530 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 44 | standard electric | 69 ft | 30 amp | 85 ft | 457 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 45 | standard electric | 68 ft | 30 amp | 82 ft | 460 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 46 | standard electric | 58 ft | 30 amp | 82 ft | 523 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 47 | standard electric | 66 ft | 30 amp | 72 ft | 619 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 48 | standard electric | 63 ft | 30 amp | 70 ft | 684 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 49 | standard electric | 69 ft | 30 amp | 70 ft | 750 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 50 | standard electric | 70 ft | 30 amp | 80 ft | 825 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 51 | standard electric | 63 ft | 30 amp | 78 ft | 818 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 52 | standard electric | 62 ft | 30 amp | 67 ft | 814 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 53 | standard electric | 65 ft | 30 amp | 67 ft | 806 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 54 | standard electric | 63 ft | 30 amp | 69 ft | 822 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 55 | standard electric | 69 ft | 30 amp | 69 ft | 842 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 56 | standard electric | 75 ft | 30 amp | 157 ft | 915 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 57 | standard electric | 88 ft | 30 amp | 92 ft | 373 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 58 | standard electric | 68 ft | 30 amp | 91 ft | 293 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 59 | standard electric | 70 ft | 30 amp | 75 ft | 291 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 60 | standard electric | 67 ft | 30 amp | 75 ft | 272 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 61 | standard electric | 70 ft | 30 amp | 77 ft | 281 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 62 | standard electric | 62 ft | 30 amp | 77 ft | 273 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 63 | standard electric | 63 ft | 30 amp | 70 ft | 293 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 64 | standard electric | 77 ft | 30 amp | 70 ft | 305 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 65 | standard electric | 63 ft | 30 amp | 113 ft | 434 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 66 | standard electric | 73 ft | 30 amp | 92 ft | 386 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 67 | standard electric | 61 ft | 30 amp | 70 ft | 378 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 68 | standard electric | 89 ft | 30 amp | 70 ft | 376 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 69 | standard electric | 64 ft | 30 amp | 76 ft | 366 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 70 | standard electric | 72 ft | 30 amp | 76 ft | 360 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 71 | standard electric | 74 ft | 30 amp | 67 ft | 383 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 72 | standard electric | 95 ft | 30 amp | 67 ft | 337 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 73 | standard electric | 100 ft | 30 amp | 60 ft | 375 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 74 | standard electric | 83 ft | 30 amp | 60 ft | 391 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 75 | standard electric | 98 ft | 30 amp | 95 ft | 421 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 76 | standard electric | 67 ft | 30 amp | 111 ft | 468 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 77 | standard electric | 72 ft | 30 amp | 71 ft | 657 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 78 | standard electric | 65 ft | 30 amp | 88 ft | 711 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 79 | standard electric | 67 ft | 30 amp | 66 ft | 636 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 80 | standard electric | 67 ft | 30 amp | 69 ft | 664 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 81 | standard electric | 60 ft | 30 amp | 66 ft | 625 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 82 | standard electric | 68 ft | 30 amp | 91 ft | 581 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 83 | standard electric | 58 ft | 30 amp | 69 ft | 609 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 84 | standard electric | 66 ft | 30 amp | 78 ft | 578 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 85 | standard electric | 71 ft | 30 amp | 98 ft | 289 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 86 | standard electric | 77 ft | 30 amp | 98 ft | 260 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 87 | standard electric | 61 ft | 30 amp | 119 ft | 60 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 88 | standard electric | 64 ft | 30 amp | 97 ft | 106 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 89 | standard electric | 73 ft | 30 amp | 66 ft | 144 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 90 | standard electric | 56 ft | 30 amp | 66 ft | 180 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | 91 | standard electric | 75 ft | 30 amp | 67 ft | 185 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | Group Shelter 1 | standard electric | 60 ft | 30 amp | 404 ft | 638 ft | $16–$20 | |
| Gated Main Campground | Group Shelter 2 | standard electric | 60 ft | 30 amp | 230 ft | 898 ft | $16–$20 |
25 of 98 listed
Getting there
the map and the coordinate · the agency’s directions · the phone number
Where it is
Twin Cove Point0.3 mi
Twin Points11 mi
Tall Chief Cove15 mi
Walnut Creek21 mi
Washington Irving South24 mi
Appalachia Bay Recreation Area25 miFrom Tulsa, take Highway 75 north to Hwy 20 west. First light in Skiatook turn right (north) on Hwy 11 to Barnsdall for 19 miles. Take a left on West Chestnut Avenue, then left on South Eighth Street at T. Travel 3 miles and Birch Cove entrance will be on the right.
The weather
the next four days · the thirty-year normal
Next four days, and the thirty-year normal
Forecast
NWS forecast for Barnsdall, OK
Typical weather
Typical October night 49°F, day 74°F.
Coldest month of the year: typical January night 25°F, below freezing. Bring a bag rated colder than that, and expect ice in the water bottle.
Daily high and lowDays with 0.10 in or more
A normal is the 1991-2020 average for the month, not a forecast: about half of all Julys are colder than the July line. The seven-day forecast above answers the other question.
The land, and who answers for it
who answers for it
Who answers for this land
Birch Cove is in Oklahoma’s 3rd congressional district. Its representative, Frank Lucas (R), votes on the laws that decide what happens to this land. Public-lands grade so far: F. See every public-lands vote →