About Lake Thunderbird
Norman Dam and Lake Thunderbird, features of the Norman Project, are located on Little River about 13 miles east of downtown Norman. The lake provide municipal water to Norman, Midwest City and Del City. The lake has approximately 6,000 water surface acres, 7,108 land acres and has 86 miles of shoreline. Extensive recreational facilities have been constructed at he lake as part of Lake Thunderbird State Park. The facilities include several hundred campsites (many with full hookups), lake huts, several boat ramps, developed hiking and biking trails, picnic areas, picnic shelters, two marinas, restaurants and riding stables. Accessible from numerous roads. Fishing year-around. Species include largemouth bass, catfish, crappie, sockeye and white bass.
How to Get There
Site is about 13 miles east of Norman off State Road 9. About 30 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Lake Thunderbird
Heading to Lake Thunderbird? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Lake Thunderbird?
No central reservation system listed for Lake Thunderbird. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1133) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Lake Thunderbird?
Site is about 13 miles east of Norman off State Road 9. About 30 miles southeast of Oklahoma City.
How do I contact Lake Thunderbird?
You can reach the park at phone: 405-360-3572 or email: Thunderbird@otrd.state.ok.us.
References & Official Resources
