Camp Willowswish Community

Ongoing since 1969! More than 55 years of friendship, freedom, and community.

Camp Willowswish began in 1969 with a group of friends from Oklahoma and Texas who wanted a place to gather, celebrate life, and be themselves. In a time when acceptance and safe spaces were not always easy to find, these friends created something special: a tradition built on fellowship, freedom, and friendships that would last a lifetime.

In the early years, camping meant truly roughing it. Campers gathered on the primitive grounds on the south side of Lake Murray, where tents, sleeping bags, the backs of pickup trucks, and good friends were all anyone needed. There was no electricity or running water—just the outdoors, campfires, and the camaraderie that became the foundation of a tradition that continues today.

As the years passed, Willowswish grew from a small gathering of friends into a beloved annual tradition. Attendance expanded through the 1980s and 1990s, bringing together more people from Oklahoma, Texas, and beyond. Through changing times, evolving generations, and countless stories, the spirit of Willowswish remained the same: come as you are, make new friends, reconnect with old ones, and enjoy the freedom of being yourself.

For approximately 46 years, the campout called the primitive grounds on the south side of Lake Murray home. Eventually, the gathering moved to the Ski Jump area, where campers had access to water but still no electricity. Over the past decade, Willowswish has evolved into its current home on the northwest side of Lake Murray State Park, offering designated camping areas, RV sites with utilities, and a pavilion for our memorable gatherings.

Today, Willowswish is more than a campout—it’s a community.

Twice a year, friends gather for spring and fall campouts filled with lake days, themed parties, games, music, dancing, campfire conversations, and the legendary Miss Willowswish pageant. Some campers have been coming for decades, while others are discovering Willowswish for the very first time. Along the way, friendships have formed, relationships have blossomed, and generations of campers have found a place to belong.

Our tradition also extends beyond the campground. Through fundraising and charitable giving, Willowswish supports LGBTQ+ organizations and community causes in Oklahoma and Texas, helping ensure that the spirit of friendship, inclusion, and giving continues long after the last campsite is packed up.

Being part of Willowswish also means being a good neighbor and a responsible guest.

We are privileged to gather at Lake Murray State Park, a treasured Oklahoma public resource that we share with visitors from across our state and beyond. We are guests in the park, and we take that privilege seriously. All campers and visitors are expected to respect the park, follow all applicable laws of the State of Oklahoma, and comply with Lake Murray State Park rules and regulations. By treating the park, its staff, fellow visitors, and one another with respect, we help preserve this special place and protect the future of our tradition.

From sleeping on the ground to today’s RVs and modern camping amenities, much has changed since 1969. But the heart of Willowswish remains unchanged: friendship, acceptance, community, and the freedom to be unapologetically yourself.

Whether you’ve been coming since the early days or are planning your very first campout, there’s a place for you around our campfire.

Camp Willowswish—building friendships, celebrating community, and keeping the tradition alive since 1969!