Lake Thunderbird State Park sign. Photo by intenteffect, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/>, via Wikimedia Commons

Offering nearly 86 miles of shoreline, Lake Thunderbird State Park hosts more than a million visitors each year. The park has more than 200 RV sites to hook up to for those who like their creature comforts, and 100 designated tent sites.

Lake Thunderbird State Park, affectionately known as “Dirty Bird” to the locals because of the murky lake water, is located just outside of Norman, Oklahoma, off Highway 9 East. Lake Thunderbird is a man-made reservoir that was built between 1962 and 1965 for the purpose of providing municipal (drinking) water to the communities of Del City, Midwest City and Norman. It was named for the Native American legend of the Thunderbird, a supernatural bird of great strength and power. According to okfrontline.com, “the bird was thought to have carried water in its wings, which sounded like thunder when flapped, and lightning bolts would shoot from its eyes.”

Just a few miles east of Norman and only a half hour’s drive from Oklahoma City, Thunderbird State Park is a favorite for the whole family. Swim at one of the many beaches or take a boat out onto the lake.

Offering nearly 86 miles of shoreline, Lake Thunderbird State Park hosts more than a million visitors each year. The park has more than 200 RV sites to hook up to for those who like their creature comforts, and 100 designated tent sites. For those of you wanting to get back to nature, there are 447 primitive campsites to choose from. 

Lake Thunderbird State Park. Photo by intenteffect, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The 6,000-acre lake is stocked with crappy, large-mouth bass, sunfish, catfish, white bass and saugeye, so be sure to bring your fishing gear.  

Lake sports are only a part of the attractions at Lake Thunderbird. The park also offers horse rentals and horse boarding, as well as equestrian trails, mountain biking, hiking, nature trails and an archery range. 

You’ll want to be sure to check out the Nature Center at the park, or bring your binoculars to observe the bald eagles, who make their home at the lake between December and January each year. 

Hunting enthusiasts can also hunt white-tailed deer during the state-designated bow season at Thunderbird Lake.   

Lake Thunderbird plays host to several events throughout the year, beginning with the statewide “First day Hike”, which encourages everybody to get out there and get active the first day of every year. 

In September, the state park hosts Catch a Special Thrill (CAST) for Kids, so kids with disabilities can come out and catch some fish, and they hold an annual Fall Festival for trick-or-treaters where costumed vendors hand out candy. 

Calypso Cove Marina rents boats and boat slips, where visitors can dock their boats or rent a boat for a day of fun on the water. The marina has a store that sells gas, cold drinks, and other amenities one might need for an outing at the lake.

Oklahoma sunset shadows at Lake Thunderbird State Park. Photo by Hu Nhu, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Seriah Canton was having some fun in the sun with her three little ones, complete with life jackets and a cooler filled with iced drinks. “I grew up around Lake Thunderbird and still like bringing the kids out here, even though I live forty-five miles away from it now,” said Seriah. “I really like the quiet, it’s peaceful here.” 

Belinda Kinsey was enjoying the lake with her daughter Nicole and her granddaughter Riley. “We live close by the lake, and we have been coming out here most of our lives,” Belinda said. 

Brett drives out to the lake from Yukon to ride his Sea-doo. “I love to come out here on Fridays when there’s nobody here and ride my stand-up. The water is calm and smooth, there’s not a lot of crazy people here, and it’s just nice and pretty,” he said.  

Lake Thunderbird State Park has a little something for everyone to enjoy year-round, and it is so close to Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) that you have no excuse not to get out and enjoy some much-needed vacation time with your family and friends.