Heyburn Swim Venue
Kellyville, Oklahoma · on Polecat Creek
Verified · 3 independent sources
- WATER
- reservoir
- ACCESS
- Designated swim area
- FEE
- $15
- SEASON
- Varies by conditions
About Heyburn Swim Venue
Heyburn Swim Venue refers to a designated swim beach within the Heyburn Lake recreation area, a 940-acre US Army Corps of Engineers reservoir on Polecat Creek near Kellyville, Oklahoma. The pin sits between the Corps' Sheppard Point and Heyburn Park developed recreation areas, both of which maintain their own official swim beaches, so this swimming hole comes with a choice of places to swim on the same lake.
Heyburn Lake lies in the Sandstone Hills of Creek County, impounded behind an earthen dam completed in 1950. The shoreline recreation areas (Heyburn Park, Sheppard Point, Sunset Bay) sit amid grasslands and gently rolling wooded hills of oak, hickory, ash, elm, and cottonwood.
Swimming at Heyburn Swim Venue
Swimming takes place at Corps-maintained lake swim beaches rather than a natural stream feature, sandy shoreline beaches at both Heyburn Park and Sheppard Point are specifically designated for swimming, each posted alcohol-free and pet-free, with picnic tables at the water's edge. This suits calm, family/lake-style swimming rather than a hike-in creek or waterfall experience.
The walk in
No real hike here. The water is a short walk from where you park. Drive-up access, both the Heyburn Park and Sheppard Point swim beaches are reached directly from their day-use parking areas, no hike required. Sheppard Point also has a separate multi-use nature trail (open to hikers and horseback riders) connecting several park features including the beach area, but it is a recreational option, not a required approach to the water; its distance was not specified in sources found.
Plan your visit
Bringing kids
Good for kids
Sandy, Corps-designated swim beaches at both Heyburn Park and Sheppard Point day-use areas offer calm reservoir water (not moving current) with picnic tables at the water's edge, well suited to family lake swimming. No lifeguard service is mentioned in any official Corps/Recreation.gov materials found, so supervise children directly.
Parking
Paid
Sheppard Point Day Use and Heyburn Park Day Use are developed US Army Corps of Engineers day-use areas requiring a paid activity pass; the exact day-use fee amount was not found in sources retrieved (official contact for current rates: Heyburn Lake Office, 918-247-6391).
Restrooms
Yes
Restroom/shower buildings are present at both Heyburn Park and Sheppard Point campgrounds; Sheppard Point's listing specifically notes hot showers.
Hours
No fixed swim-beach hours were found; Heyburn Park's campground listing notes park gates typically lock 10 PM-6 AM with quiet hours in that window, which likely applies lake-wide.
On the water
Sheppard Point's Recreation.gov campground listing lists kayaking, canoeing, motorboating, and water skiing as available activities on Heyburn Lake, and both Heyburn Park and Sheppard Point have boat ramps with courtesy docks for trailered craft. No no-wake zone, electric-only, or other watercraft restriction specific to the swim beaches was found in sources retrieved.
Backstory
The dam creating Heyburn Lake was completed in 1950. The lake's namesake, the hamlet of Heyburn, was a Frisco railroad-era community founded in the 1880s with a post office from 1911-1922 before it was gradually abandoned.
Heyburn Swim Venue: FAQ
Does Heyburn Swim Venue charge a fee?
Day-use activity passes are required at the Corps day-use areas (Heyburn Park Day Use, Sheppard Point Day Use); overnight camping runs roughly $15-$100/night depending on campground and site type.
Is Heyburn Swim Venue kid friendly?
Sandy, Corps-designated swim beaches at both Heyburn Park and Sheppard Point day-use areas offer calm reservoir water (not moving current) with picnic tables at the water's edge, well suited to family lake swimming. No lifeguard service is mentioned in any official Corps/Recreation.gov materials found, so supervise children directly.
Do I need to hike to reach Heyburn Swim Venue?
No significant hike is required. The swimming area is close to parking and access.
Where do I park for Heyburn Swim Venue?
Sheppard Point Day Use and Heyburn Park Day Use are developed US Army Corps of Engineers day-use areas requiring a paid activity pass; the exact day-use fee amount was not found in sources retrieved (official contact for current rates: Heyburn Lake Office, 918-247-6391).
Can I bring a kayak or paddleboard to Heyburn Swim Venue?
Sheppard Point's Recreation.gov campground listing lists kayaking, canoeing, motorboating, and water skiing as available activities on Heyburn Lake, and both Heyburn Park and Sheppard Point have boat ramps with courtesy docks for trailered craft. No no-wake zone, electric-only, or other watercraft restriction specific to the swim beaches was found in sources retrieved.
What are the rules at Heyburn Swim Venue?
Swim beaches are posted alcohol-free and pet-free (no dogs). Park gates lock 10 PM-6 AM with quiet hours during that window; camping is limited to 14 days within any 30-day period.
What water body is Heyburn Swim Venue on?
Heyburn Swim Venue is on Polecat Creek, a natural reservoir verified in USGS hydrography data.
