Lake Carl Blackwell is located just east of Interstate 35 about 10 miles west of Stillwater in north central Oklahoma with the majority of its 3,500 acres in Payne County. The remainder of the lake lies in Noble County.

The nearly 60 miles of shoreline supports 7 developed areas that include about 50 electric hookups, 35 improved sites, 33 primitive sites, boat ramps, picnic areas, outdoor grills, restrooms, sanitary dump station, group shelter, canoe and hiking trails, swimming areas, archery range and equestrian camp. All the developed areas are wrapped around the lake's southern shores.