Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park — Attraction in Bernice

Nature escape into beauty and peace - however with some road noise to get used to. We happened upon Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park through a Google Search and reading plenty of reviews on other parks around Grand Lake. It was fitting as it's only about an hour from home (Bella Vista AR). The park is beautiful, with an amazing lake view from most the campsites. We stayed at a tent camp right on the water and the site was very deep and perfect with a walkout to the water for putting in your kayak or canoe or just doing some fishing right from your "backyard" :) The rocky walk into the water is easily managed for most, but may be difficult for mobility impaired folks, however there is an alternative over by the RV camper area (a peninsula that has more dirt walks into the water than rocks). The water is perfect for all sorts of activities and the littles (5 and 8) could sit right down in the water 10 feet from shore and still not be to their chest - perfect for all the little swimmers who want to dip their toes. Still, it can get choppy, so please be mindful. We did fishing and caught zero, but had some bites and just enjoyed the peace! Saw plenty of birds, heard owls, saw fish in the water for sure. Nature trail is very easy to walk, would have liked more "hikes", but it was fine. Enjoyed the lookout towers to get up higher for views. The nature center was really cool, probably the 5 yr old boys favorite! Huge turtles, a flemish rabbit (big!), a cute cuddly prairie dog, and a lot ,pre to look at and enjoy. The park employee working the center was very nice and very educational. She would have talked to us for hours. We were confused getting there as you have to arrive after a certain point, but there are NO EMPLOYEES around after 5pm... so, we had no clue what to do. The instructions emailed to us should have made that clear to just set up camp, as ALL the notes and signs seem to lead you to believe you need to check in somewhere. We never had anyone ask us to prove we had a reservation, my assumption is they know by your license plate, so I am glad we brought the proper car, lol! The campsites each have a charcoal grill and a campfire pit and a picnic table. Some are wood tables, some are concrete. Plenty of space for tent(s) or even a hammock. Did not feel like we were right on top of other campers as I have at other campgrounds. Bathrooms and showers were ok, considering it's a camp, but they are definitely not very clean. A shower was welcomed as it was very humid outside, but the walls are very dirty - good thing it was a short weekend trip. Playgrounds were ok, but were definitely missing pieces and not well maintained, watch for bees! These things were easily overlooked as it is a campground, not a luxury stay, and we were there for the camp and the lake anyway... just would be nice upgrades to make (bathrooms, and playground). However, the only downsides to this trip was a screaming child in another tent who never went to sleep our first night there... they left the next day; and it stormed twice on us (once, knocked our tent over and we had to call it quits). That said, none of the downsides were because of the park, it was...

Review Summary: Bernice State Park, Oklahoma

Overall Impression: A smaller, older state park campground that shows its age. It's a practical choice for boaters and anglers due to its excellent water access, but is significantly held back by outdated facilities and constant highway noise.

The Positives & Strengths

· Excellent Water Access: This is a major highlight. The park features a rock beach that provides easy launching for kayaks and great access for shoreline fishing. · Convenient Boat Ramp: There is a noted "decent boat ramp" located near the campground entrance, making it very convenient for campers with boats. · Friendly Staff: The woman at the nature center is consistently highlighted as the "best feature" – described as incredibly nice, friendly, outgoing, and great with kids. · Scenic Spots: Some campsites offer nice views of the water. · Nice Hiking Trail: There is one blacktop trail that is described as "pretty nice," though it appears somewhat neglected. · Adequate Site Amenities: The picnic tables and grills at the sites are noted as being "nicely done." · Two Playgrounds: Features two playgrounds; one near the nature center is newer and in good order.

The Drawbacks & Areas for Improvement

· Constant Highway Noise: This is the most frequently mentioned drawback. The reviewer emphasizes that you will hear highway noise "all the time" from almost anywhere in the campground, unless you are far back in a tent-only area. · Outdated Facilities: The campground is described as "older" with many sites having old, crumbling blacktop pads. The bathrooms are "significantly older and in need of a real restoration." · Neglected Maintenance: The hiking trail doesn't appear to be cleared regularly (e.g., with a weed whacker), and some picnic tables are on uneven ground in the grass and gravel. · Dated Playground: One of the playgrounds (near the entrance) is very dated, featuring 80s/90s equipment like a tall metal slide and the remnants of old structures.

Final Verdict

This park is a solid, no-frills choice for boaters and anglers due to its easy lake access and functional boat ramp. The staff's friendliness is a major plus.

However, for campers seeking a peaceful, modern, or well-maintained experience, the constant highway noise and outdated facilities are significant drawbacks. It's best suited for those with lower expectations regarding amenities and quiet, who primarily want a functional base for...

As a local who lives 15 minutes away from Bernice State Park, this is my family's absolute favorite spot on Grand Lake. We are regular attendees to the park. We have never had any sort of issues here and we visit year-round. There are campsites but we have never camped out, therefore, I cannot personally review them but they do seem to be nice from what I have seen in passing.

In the winter, the park is more scarce and not as busy as summertime. If you plan on staying, I would recommend booking in advance, especially around the holidays. It is a beautiful spot to watch the fireworks on the fourth of July weekend as you can view them in nearly every direction for hours shooting across the water.

I personally enjoy going and setting alongside the shore near the boat ramps. People usually fish along there. Walking the shoreline, you can easily collect "seashells."

Overall, Bernice State Park is a very peaceful and serene area with beautiful scenic views of the lake. It is the perfect location to get away from the hustle and bustle of life without being too far from home or the city. Even if you just want to catch an evening sunset over the water or stargaze at night and bask under the moonlight, Bernice is the place to be. I highly recommend it. Be sure to experience it...