Cookson Bend 1

**Location & Access:** Cookson Bend is located on Tenkiller Ferry Lake in Cherokee County, Oklahoma, near Tahlequah. From Tahlequah, travel 17.5 miles southeast on Highway 82, then turn right toward Tenkiller and continue two miles west on the paved access road. The site is situated among the scenic Cookson Hills, known for dramatic 200-foot limestone bluffs rising from the water.

**Boating Conditions:** Tenkiller Ferry Lake offers excellent conditions for kayaking, canoeing, and recreational boating on calm lake waters. The lake is fed by the Illinois River, a major waterway (Stream Order 9) with an average flow of 27,210 cubic feet per second. The lake's clear waters make it popular for multiple water activities including boating, fishing, water skiing, and scuba diving. Day-use facilities include picnic tables, grills, and access to boat ramps, with a nearby marina offering additional amenities.

**Note:** Before visiting, contact the campground at 918-487-5252 to confirm current ramp availability, as some public ramps in the Lake Tenkiller area have experienced closures. The facility does not offer ADA accessibility. Reservations for camping are available through Recreation.gov if you plan an extended visit.

Overview
Cookson Bend Campground is a popular area that lies on Tenkiller Ferry Lake, among the Cookson Hills of the Ozark Mountains. Visitors here delight in breathtaking views of 200-foot limestone bluffs rising from the scenic waters.Recreation
Boating, fishing, water skiing, hiking and swimming are among the activities enjoyed by visitors. Scuba divers enjoy the lake's clear waters and high...

Overview
Cookson Bend Campground is a popular area that lies on Tenkiller Ferry Lake, among the Cookson Hills of the Ozark Mountains. Visitors here delight in breathtaking views of 200-foot limestone bluffs rising from the scenic waters.Recreation
Boating, fishing, water skiing, hiking and swimming are among the activities enjoyed by visitors. Scuba divers enjoy the lake's clear waters and high visibility. Ten marinas are located on the lake. Most offer boat and jet-ski rentals, and several have floating restaurants. Fishing is good for black bass, white bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. The trout stream below the dam is one of only two year-round trout fisheries in Oklahoma, and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Hunting is also permitted in parts of the lake area, in accordance with state laws.Facilities
The campground has sites with electric hookups, and some sites are non-electric. The group picnic shelters have electricity and are reservable. The park has waterborne restrooms with hot showers, drinking water, a dump station, swim beach, playground, and boat ramps. A marina with concessions is adjacent to the campground.Natural Features
Tenkiller Ferry Lake is often referred to as Oklahoma's clear water paradise. The 12,500-acre lake is sourced by the Illinois River and the Baron Fork, which are both designated as Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. Located in the northeastern part of the state, the region is known as Green Country, with surroundings of dense Oak-Hickory forests, tall bluffs, and rolling hills.
Tenkiller boasts 130 miles of shoreline with plenty of wildlife such as deer and turkey. It also serves as one of the flyways of migratory birds, including bald eagles, common loons, and white pelicans.
Nearby Attractions
Visit the Tenkiller State Park for its nature center and scuba diving park, the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian, or the historic city of Tahlequah - the capitol of the Cherokee Nation. The scenic upper Illinois River near Tahlequah is great for canoeing and rafting, and the lower Illinois near Gore offers prime trout fishing.

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