Lake Thunderbird, Norman

Hey everyone there's a new rule at lake thunderbird that you're not aloud to camp anywhere except in the camp site areas. On Friday we were told that we could not tent camp over the area that the call party cove. So compliant with what the Lake Range told us we took down the tents and everyone slept on our large boat. So then Saturday Night the ranger came back and this time with the park ranger, proceeded to tell us at this time that the ranger had told us that we couldn't camp there at all and at this time it's dark and they proceed to tell us that instead of giving us a ticket to camping in a non camping area they would let us pack up all of our stuff and go over to the boat ramp and load up and leave the lake. So at that time I ask them how we were supposed to get our jet ski's back sence it was after dark and the ranger at this point ask how long would it take us to pack everything up and then he would escort us all the way back to Hog Creek in the Dark mind you to load all our stuff. So After talking and pleading with the two rangers, the park ranger finally agreed that this idea was not the safest and aloud us to stay the night where we were but we would have to pack up and leave the lake the first thing the next moring and the took down our boat # and now we are not aloud back on the lake for 1 month. This whole action on thier part we think was totally uncalled for, to people that were minding there on business and just sitting in our chair on the beach watching all the other boats leaving and just chillin!!!! Not causing any trouble. My Husband and I have been coming to this lake a very long time and have never once been told by and of the rangers in the past that we couldn't camp premitive areas. NOT A HAPPY CAMPER

beware all you swimmers. Last weekend we had a family campout and four out of the six became very ill that weekend and when we went to the doctor we were told it may have been that lake water we had ingested during our swimming. Not to mention the very badly kept lake itself.Thunderbird is a product of its keepers. Too bad someone can not train people to do thier jobs better or at least hire people with better work ethics. Come on okla, we need to get our lake on....TRACK /be kind pick up after yourself.

i love going to the lake its so much fun and all you people saying that its a gross lake yall just to stuckk upp nd afraid of a little dirt upp ur swimmsuit ive only been there a couple of times but i love it there expesially when im with my friends.

We swam and dove in Thunderbird and had a great time. Bring a dive flag to alert boats that you are present. I don't advise swimming without protection against cuts or scrapes at this lake. We wore Levis 501s, dive tops, dive boots and fins for protection against water born infection. This is a good precaution anywhere in fresh water lakes!.. Fresh water rinse afterward and use a 50% alcohol/50% white vinegar rinse for your ears.

i love lake thunderbird i was raised here in norman swimming in that lake and will take my daughter dead bodys are found in all dif lakes not just this one and there is a difference between someone drowning in a boatin accident or because they cant swim and a body being dumped ive always heard ppl say that you go to draper for that anyways as far as the water its red dirt as far as the butts ppl shld clean up after themselves but if your not stuck up and scared of a lol red dirt its a great place its home ;) we call it the dirty dirty got it from my lil sis

You guys all are wrong the water is only dirty #1 cause no one will clean it up.And #2 is that Oklahoma is the land of the red clay so when people swim in it it only stirs up the clay to the top and makes the water look dirty. BUT I am not saying that their is not bodies in the water because that is very possible because lots of people die because they can not swim but that does not mean you can not still swim in the beautiful lake Thunderbird.

My family has gone many times throughout my life, and ,though I always got burned, I enjoyed going. Any man-made lake that was put over a town is going to have crap in it, just make sure to wear water shoes or the pair you've been meaning to throw away. Part of the memories I have are of the white shirts that would come out of the wash pink, while you may think that makes it worse, I always chuckled at the shirt years later. It's a great place for a picnic and for camping, and I'll always remember taking my dogs to go swimming, th clay my sister and I would dive for while wearing our goggles (don't ask why), and making castles on the beach. I always say that Norman's water is dirt water, but you're not drinking it. People pay good money for mud baths and now you get it for free! On the subjects of dead people--it's under a bridge! What do you expect from a lake under a bridge? I'll take my kids to Lake Dirtybird for their first camping trip, just like I had. When I think of the lake, I think of the fun I had with my family and my cherry red hide afterward. You can dis the lake all you want, but it will always hold happy memories for me.

The water is very gross. There are dead bodies found there way more than anyother lake. I live in Norman and I own a boat and will not take my children to the lake, instead we drive 1-2 hours to find somewhere more enjoyable.

Dont forget about the feet a couple years back....this is a dirty nasty "lake", My dogs won't even go near it. My son has dubbe dthis Jason's Lake because it looks like something from a horror flick.

Yeah, it's been dubbed "Lake Dirtybird" by those of us who live near it's muddy water here in Norman. But there are still good times to be had. If you're a good biker, the bike trails will make you wish you were better. The Clear Bay cafe, while the water may not be clear, is full of good food, good atmosphere, good music and great people. With a dock off shore, you can drive your boat right up to it. I've canoed on the lake and found it completely enjoyable. I plan to take my kayak out there soon. The levels are appropriate for water sports (skiing, wakeboarding, jet skiing, etc.) all of the time, though watch the shoreline, depending on water levels, if it's high you could run over a picnic table, if it's low, well that can be scary too. All in all, we've never had any problems with the lake and have enjoyed many good times playing in the muddy red waters of Thunderbird.