May 6, 2025, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Tulsa District, announced the temporary closures and/or a reduction of services in several recreation areas across Oklahoma and Kansas for the 2025 summer season.
Why the closures are happening
USACE Tulsa District officials cite an ongoing staffing shortage that has made it challenging to maintain routine maintenance, sanitation, and safety checks across all sites. By temporarily consolidating resources at fewer open facilities, the Corps aims to:
• Safeguard visitors: Ensure that the open sites have adequate personnel for emergency response and routine upkeep.
• Protect natural resources: Prevent environmental degradation caused by unmaintained facilities.
• Fulfill core missions: Allow staff to focus on flood risk management, hydropower operations, and dam safety.
Affected parks and service reductions
If you’ve made plans to visit areas within the Kansas and Oklahoma Districts, check the following list to see if your chosen location is affected by this latest news:
Council Grove Lake, Kansas
- Canning Creek, Outlet East, Richey Cove, Kanza View: Full park closures; day‐use only at Kanza View.
- Santa Fe Trail: Boat ramp remains open; rest of park closed.
- Neosho Park, North Richey Cove: Only boat ramps available; all other amenities closed.
- Kit Carson Cove: Entire park closed.
Birch Lake, Oklahoma
Twin Coves: Camping loop (Sites 3–12) closed; day‐use areas unaffected.
Canton Lake, Oklahoma
- Sandy Cove Day Use: Swim beach closed; day‐use parking and trails remain open.
- Fairview Group Camp: Full closure.
Copan Lake, Oklahoma
- Copan Point Day Use: Boat ramp and swim beach closed.
- Osage Plains: Entire park closed.
Eufaula Lake, Oklahoma
- Gaines Creek: Full park closure.
Ft. Supply Lake, Oklahoma
- Wolf Creek: Full park closure.
- Beaver Point: Day‐use area closed; camping remains available.
Kaw Lake, Oklahoma
- McFadden Cove: Boat ramp and camping loop closed.
- Sandy Beach: Swim beach closed.
Keystone Lake, Oklahoma
- Appalachia Bay: Off‐road vehicle area closed; camping and day‐use remain open.
Pine Creek Lake, Oklahoma
- Turkey Creek: Full park closure.
Oologah Lake, Oklahoma
- Spencer Creek: Full park closure.
Sardis Lake, Oklahoma
- Sardis Cove: Camping closed; boat ramp open.
Skiatook Lake, Oklahoma
- Bull Creek, Osage Park: Full park closures.
- Tall Chief Cove: Swim beach closed; camping and boat ramp remain open.
Tenkiller Lake, Oklahoma
- Horseshoe Bend, Standing Rock: Both parks fully closed.
Webbers Falls, Oklahoma
- Hopewell Park, Bluff View, Brewers Bend, Overlook: Full closures.
Robert S. Kerr Lake, Oklahoma
- Little San Bois Creek: Full park closure.
- Cowlington Point: Winter loop closed; other loops open seasonally.
Reservations and refunds
If your reservations are impacted by the temporary closings/reduction in services, here’s information about refunds:
- Automatic refunds: All reservations at closed parks will be canceled and refunded within approximately 4–6 weeks.
- Check status: Call Recreation.gov at 877‑444‑6777 for questions or to confirm reservation status.
Planning your trip
It’s important to check your summer 2025 reservations now. That way, if the park you’ve chosen to visit is closed, you have time to make alternative arrangements. Here are some tips to keep in mind:
• Verify before you go. Always call ahead or visit the official USACE site to confirm which areas are open. You can also check Recreation.gov facility status pages.
• Consider alternatives. With 38 lakes in the district, plenty of options remain. Facilities still open are prioritized for safety and maintenance.
• Stay flexible. Additional closures or phased reopenings may occur based on staffing levels and visitor use patterns.
Looking ahead
USACE Tulsa District stresses that these measures are temporary. As hiring constraints ease and seasonal staff is onboard, closed sites will reopen in phases, beginning with those of highest demand and quickest to service.
RV Camping in Corps of Engineers Parks
Many RVers consider Corps of Engineers campgrounds to be the best in the country. This guide is just for RVers – boat-in and tent-only sites are not included. Of all the public lands, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has some of the best parks and campgrounds available. In fact, it’s the largest federal provider of outdoor recreation in the nation. Learn more or order.
RELATED
- The long, long RV trip, Week 5: RVing in Kansas, and an amazing campground
- Oklahoma Turnpike goes cashless. No stopping at toll booths
RVT1208b
Sad to see so many closures…
I agree but also believe that something has to be done about our federal deficit. It’s unsustainable, in my opinion. Perhaps if folks can step up and volunteer . . . Safe travels, Bill.
But the army corps campgrounds were actually making money for the army corps. Another example of how the current government didn’t think any of this through before they acted.
Eric, Oklahoma lakes have experienced significant erosion and flood events which has required assets and resources to concentrate on projects more critical than campground support.
We have a choice, have Joe take the backhoe and fix the levee or have him use it to level campsites. It’s not political it’s prioritizing.
Yes, in my opinion too, I believe there are things that need to be done as well.
GOP at work. Get used to it or change it. Oops, too political? My bad. 🤗
Yup…. that darn GOP cleaning up the Lib mess, AGAIN. Don’t worry Glenn, it should be fixed in a few short months. If only the libs could figure out how the real world works we wouldn’t be in this generational mess.
Oops…. reply far too political..my bad.
Happy trails ✌️ 😎
We are in this mess because our current government is making really stupid decisions without thinking through the consequences.
So your saying things were going swimmingly with open borders, high crime, Europe at war, 9% inflation, 5 dollar gas, men winning trophies in woman’s sports and DEI corruption. Great to know, I stand corrected and I’ll put you down as a yes in the pro-dystopia column then. Thanks.
But how does closing army corps campgrounds solve any of this?
Glad you asked, Eric. Indeed, some short term discomfort will be felt and not just army Corps campgrounds. Top t’ bottom transformational changes are needed. 36 trillion of debt requires it. Both parties got us here and finally, we have an opportunity via an outsider that cares only about results and not a re-election. If he had won as a D., I would still support him/them making these wholesale changes. This is not purely about party. It is only about results and saving our country.
Happy trails ✌️ 😎
While Trump may be doing some good, he’s doing more things that hurt us Americans our wallets and the poor in the world.
Thank you for the notice, Gail! Have a great day and safe travels!
Thought that this might adversely affect our return from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest in September. DW advised me to have no fear. We are booked to moochdock at a cousin’s house when we pass through Kansas. Safe travels, Gail!
Lucky for the USACE they don’t fall under the DOI (Dept. of the Interior, for those who don’t speak initialism). If they were, per order of DOI Sec. Burgum, they would have to remain open: “Sec. 4. Policy. The NPS Director will ensure that all park units remain open and accessible to the American public during the specified hours of operation posted on the respective park units’ public webpages at https://www.nps.gov/findapark/.” No funds BTW, just do it.
It’s not like we didn’t have warning, this was common knowledge that the GOP would do this.
The really sad part is it mostly affects locals who hunt, fish and camp in those parks. Maybe next time they should turn off Fox and pay attention.
Elections have consequences.