Walnut Creek State Park

Oklahoma’s Former Keystone Lake Park — 1,429-Acre Former State Park (Closed 2014), Now Walnut Creek Recreation Area, Keystone Lake North Shore, Camping, Boating, Fishing, Osage County West of Prue Oklahoma

Walnut Creek State Park was a 1,429-acre state park on the north shore of Keystone Lake, approximately 4 miles west of Prue in Osage County, Oklahoma. The state officially closed the facility as a state park on October 1, 2014, due to maintenance costs and funding constraints. The site continues to operate as Walnut Creek Recreation Area under the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offering camping, boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, picnic areas, and access to the 26,000-acre Keystone Lake.

History as a State Park

Walnut Creek State Park served Oklahoma visitors for decades as a popular lakeside recreation destination on Keystone Lake, a 26,000-acre reservoir created by damming the Arkansas and Cimarron Rivers. The park provided extensive facilities including campgrounds, boat ramps, swimming areas, picnic shelters, and hiking trails through the rolling Cross Timbers landscape of post oak and blackjack oak. Budget constraints led the state to close it in 2014 along with several other underperforming state parks.

Current Recreation Area

Under Corps of Engineers management, the Walnut Creek Recreation Area continues to provide recreational access to Keystone Lake. Facilities include campgrounds with electrical and water hookups, boat ramps, fishing access, swim beaches, and day-use picnic areas. Keystone Lake offers excellent fishing for largemouth bass, white bass, channel catfish, crappie, and paddlefish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Walnut Creek still a state park?

No, the state park was officially closed on October 1, 2014. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates the site as Walnut Creek Recreation Area.

Can I still camp and fish there?

Yes, the Corps recreation area still offers camping, fishing, and boating access to Keystone Lake.