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Float Trips, Camping, VacationingOklahoma Illinois River(then scroll down to listings of the Outfitters on upper Illinois for canoeing, rafting, kayaking or tubing)
This page is sponsored courtesy of
MarVal Family
Camping Resort
Click on Resort Names below to go to individual resorts.
It is better to call the Toll Free numbers for reservations.
More Illinois Camping and/or Rental Facilities
All American Floats & Water Slide,17170
S Hwy 10, Tahlequah, OK 74464, 1-800-480-8705 - Float trip outfitter
on the Illinois River, with rentals for canoe, raft or kayak, and trips
available in distances of 4 to 57 miles. A new feature on site also includes
our 70 foot tall water slide with three chutes emptying into a large
swimming pool. Tent camping and food concessions on site. Burnt Cabin Marina
Cedar Valley Camp Carters Landing Public Access- last public access before entering Lake Tenkiller - 68.5.mile mark Chewey Bridge - Fee Access Area 23.6 mile mark Echota Public Access -
53.2 Elk Creek Resort & Marina
Extreme
Mountain Sports Horseshoe Bend - 65.6 mile mark Low Water Bridge Public Access - dangerous during high water 10.4 mile mark No Head Hollow Public Access -
41.5
mile mark Pettit Bay River City Motel &
Camper Park Riverside Park Public Access - 55.3 mile mark Sizemore Landing Public
Use Area
Spencer Ridge Resort Stunkard Public Access - primitive camping - restroom facilities. 28.0 mile mark Tahlequah Floats Watts Public Access (U.S. Hwy 59 approximately 4 miles south of Siloam Springs) 3.1 mile mark
Map of the
Illinois River
3.2 beer in a can is allowable on the Ilinois
River. No glass or styrofoam is allowed
Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission Upper Illinois River 48 hour Recreation Forecast My favorite water conditions are between 2.50' and 4 1/2' stage. Janene
For additional information and river conditions, contact the
Oklahoma
Scenic Rivers Commission
The Upper Illinois The Illinois River is Oklahoma's best known scenic river. Legislation in the 1970's officially designated the upper 70 miles of the Illinois River as a scenic river to protect the river for future generations. The Illinois is a river cherished for its beauty. It's nestled in the heart of the beautiful Oklahoma Ozark Hills with their ever-changing oak-hickory forest There is breathtaking beauty spring summer, fall and winter. The upper Illinois is an easy-flowing river with delightful scenery and several stretches of mild rapids. It is an excellent fishing stream with smallmouth and largemouth bass, channel and flathead catfish walleye and various sunfish. Canoeing is one of the most poplar activities on the Illinois. Floaters can enjoy 70 miles of interesting and sometimes challenging stream. You don't have to own a canoe or boat to float the Illinois; both can be rented at several locations along the river. Floating the Illinois is not dangerous, but certain safety precautions are in order anytime you are on the water. To get completely away from summertime canoe traffic, you must travel further upstream. The community of Watts near the Arkansas - Oklahoma State line has one or two canoe outfitters located in the area. This far upper stretch is floatable without much trouble except during the very low water flows in the heat of the summer. This upper stretch is lightly fished with many areas probably not fished at all. Lifejackets are a must for non-swimmers. If you plan an overnight trip on the Illinois, you'll want to take along camping gear. Essentially the same as for other camping. Anything which might be damaged by water should be stored in waterproof plastic or rubber bags and tied with a short length of rope to the bracing of the craft. The length of the river (68 miles) makes it idea for multi-day floating and overnight camping. However, if one chooses to camp on the river, be very aware of the weather at all times. Even moderate rains upstream can cause the river to rise several feet very quickly. There are over 70 species of fish in the river. Smallmouth Bass, Black Bass, Channel Catfish, Sunfish and larger Perch are the predominate "catchable" species. During the early spring of the year, Sandbass migrate up into the lower portion of the river from Tenkiller Lake on spawning runs. Primary food sources for the fish include crawdads, minnows, hellgrammites, sculpins and Madtoms (black catfish). These Black catfish are small (one to three inches in length), coal black, miniature catfish that burrow into the gravel in the shallows. Smallmouth and Black Bass go "crazy" over these delicacies and a large black weighted woolly bugger or other imitation can be very productive. The stream is best fished from canoe or flat bottom John boat. Wade fishing at several access points is possible. However, the amount of water that can be covered at these access points is often limited due to deep water up and downstream from these areas. Most public access points will accommodate a hundred yards or more up and downstream for wade fishing. However, during the summer months most of these areas are usually populated by swimmers, sunbathers, beaching canoes and float outfitters delivering their customers to the stream. Floating the river and beaching at likely spots along the rivers length provides greater access to productive water and far more enjoyment of the river, and your fly fishing trip. Canoes can be a problem for the fly fisher during the summer months. On a typical hot, summer day, hundreds of canoeist and rafters will be on the river. The weekends are very crowded at times. The best time to fish the river is during the weekdays and early morning and late evening hours. If using one of the commercial canoe outfitters along the river, the upper portion of the river (upstream of Chewey Bridge to Round Hollow) receives less canoe traffic than the middle and lower portion of the river. Riverside Floats, one of the last upstream commercial Outfitters, traditionally runs this section of the river when water levels permit. A fourteen mile and seven mile float is available with put-ins upstream of Chewey Bridge or at the bridge for the seven mile trip. The take out point is at the Round Hollow Public Access. To get completely away from summertime canoe traffic, you must travel further upstream. The community of Watts near the Arkansas - Oklahoma State line has one or two canoe outfitters located in the area. This far upper stretch is floatable without much trouble except during the very low water flows in the heat of the summer. This upper stretch is lightly fished with many areas probably not fished at all. Floating the Illinois can be a delightful experience and you'll want to keep it that way for others who may follow. Leave your campsite clean and don't litter the shoreline or the water. A good motto for float trips or any other type of outing is:
Below Lake Tenkiller Dam lie the cold clear waters of the
lower Illinois River. It is a beautiful bubbling stream.
Fishermen have been coming to the lower Illinois since
1965 when it was established as Oklahoma's first year
round designated trout stream. Because trout are such
hard fighters once they are hooked, trout fishing continues
to attract more and more anglers. The state record trout,
10 lbs. 6 oz. was caught in 1966 and still stands. The
Fisheries Division of the Oklahoma Department of
Wildlife stocks trout every weekend from the end of
March through the 4th Of July weekend. The rest of the
year trout are stocked every other week usually on
Friday. Contingent upon access and water oxygen content,
stockings take place at 4 locations along the 7.7 mile
stretch of the trout stream.
All anglers must purchase a trout stamp. It is valid from
January 1st until December 31st and is a necessity to fish any of the seven designated trout streams or lakes in
Oklahoma. Fishermen are allowed to use any kind of bait: live or artificial. The limit is 6 per person, 12 in
possession. It is legal to catch and release as long as the trout are not harmed. Trout are the only game fish
that may be used for bait; and many do use them to catch the monster stripers found in the cold water. Four of
the last six records for stripers have come from the waters of the Illinois River.
Flintridge Park
on Tenkiller Lake There are several public access points along the stream. The two most well known access areas are at the dam site and through MarVal Trout Camp. By an agreement with the Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Department, MarVal Trout Camp will allow free access to the river when possessing a valid fishing license and trout stamp. Marvel Trout Camp is one of the major stocking points on the river. What follows is a description of access points and the more productive fly fishing water around each area beginning at the dam site. All descriptions are oriented facing downstream unless otherwise noted. The maps and descriptions are with very low water releases and "rough" but close enough to actual layouts for you to identify the more productive spots. Note: the lower Illinois is subject to wide variations in water level from
sporadic power generation. Keep a careful eye out for rising water and quickly
retreat to the side of the stream where your vehicle is located. Water Conditions below the Tenkiller Dam on the lower Illinois Tahlequah Private boat access fees required by Oklahoma Scenic River Commission ($2 per boat)
Lakes and CampingAll Recreation including rivers and state parks Enlarge  Lakes and Camping
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