The Ultimate Guide to Illinois River Floating in Oklahoma
Going Illinois River floating in Oklahoma is one of our favorite ways to spend a weekend.
The section of the Illinois River that is in Oklahoma is just outside of Tahlequah and it’s a popular choice for floating. With beautiful cascading bluffs and miles of easy-going river to float, it’s not hard to see why!
One of our favorite things to do is check out all the amazing rivers to go floating on. We’ve put together everything you need to know to plan the ultimate Illinois River Oklahoma trip.
If you’re interested in planning a float trip on the Illinois River and want to know about Outfitters, camping options, what to pack and more then you’ve come to the right place.
This post may contain affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are very grateful for) at no extra cost to you. Thank you for the support!
All About The Oklahoma Illinois River
The Illinois River in Oklahoma is 145 miles of absolutely beautiful landscape. It starts with its headwaters in northwestern Arkansas in the Ozark Mountains. It then flows Southwest into Oklahoma passing the town of Tahlequah, Oklahoma before eventually joining up with the Arkansas River.
The section that’s used for river floating in Oklahoma is about 68 miles of Class II river, which makes it great for all ages and skill levels. This section is most commonly known as the Tahlequah River float as it’s right outside of Tahlequah and it’s the most popular area of the river.
A Class II river means that while the water is moving, there are no major rapids or obstacles that would be difficult to navigate.
We love to go on float trips on Class II rivers because the water is moving fast enough to keep you from getting stuck, but slow enough that you can relax and hang out with the people you’re floating with!
Read More: The Best Float Trips In Arkansas
Where To Go Tahlequah River Floating
The first step in planning your trip is knowing where to go! While the river is 145 miles long, not all of it is used for floating. The section used for Illinois River floating is just north of Tahlequah, Oklahoma which makes it part of Cherokee Nation.
Tahlequah is in Northeastern Oklahoma and the best way to get there will depend on where you’re coming from.
Tulsa – 72 Miles
Coming from Tulsa is the easiest for your Tahlequah River float since it’s pretty close. You can head east out of Tulsa on Highway 412 until you hit Highway 82 and then it’s more or less straight south from there.
Oklahoma City – 168 Miles
Oklahoma City is a bit further and will probably take you just under 3 hours. You can head East out of the city on I-40 until you come to Highway 69. Take that north and follow Highway 165 and then 62 into Tahlequah.
Springfield – 183 Miles
If you’re coming from the Missouri side, Springfield is also about 3 hours away. You can take I-44 West out of town and follow that almost until you get to Highway 69 where you’ll want to get off the interstate and start heading South. Follow Highway 20 and then 82 to Tahlequah.
If you’ll be coming from the Missouri side we recommend also stopping in Noel, Mo for an Elk River float trip. It will be right on the way and is another great river to float.
Best Time of Year to Go Illinois River Floating
Now that you know where you’re going for some Illinois River floating, it’s time to figure out when you would like to go. The Illinois River in Oklahoma is navigable year-round so technically you can go on a float trip whenever you like!
However, Tahlequah float trips are a drastically different experience from summer to winter so picking the best time for you will depend on what you’re looking for.
Summer Illinois River Floating
Summer is by far the more popular option. The busiest time of the year for the river is between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Floating on the Illinois River in July is one of the best times to go since the weather is quite a bit warmer it makes it so much nicer for swimming and floating half in/half out of a tube.
The downside is that pretty much everyone else loves floating the Illinois River in the summer as well so the river can get a little crowded, especially on the weekends.
Winter Illinois River Floating
Winter (or Spring/Fall) is a great option for Illinois River floating if you’re looking for a quieter, less crowded experience.
Since the Illinois River is floatable year-round, the majority of the Illinois River Outfitters are also open all year. You may need to make sure that you call in advance so they can accommodate you.
You will also need to call ahead in the summer to make a reservation because they might be booked up.
The biggest thing to remember about floating the Illinois River in the winter is that the average temperature in Tahlequah in December and January is normally only around 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is far too cold for swimming.
While a tube or a raft might be a great option for the summer. In the winter you’re going to want either a canoe or a kayak with a skirt to keep you dry and warm.
The Best Illinois River Float Trips
Okay! Now we’re making some progress! You’ve figured out where you’re going, how to get there, and when to go. The next step is thinking about what kind of Illinois River floating you would like to do.
With such a large section of the river accessible for Tahlequah River floating and so much beautiful landscape to see it can be a little tough figuring out what kind of Illinois River float Oklahoma trip you want to go on.
To make it easy for you I’ve broken it down into two categories: Shorter Day Trips and Longer Multi-Day trips.
Illinois River Floating Day Trips
If you’ve never been Illinois River floating in Oklahoma before I would recommend starting with a day trip.
A day trip is normally going to be anything from 4 miles to about 12 miles and will take 1 to 8 hours depending on how fast you’re paddling, how many times you stop, as well as how fast the river is currently moving.
Day trips are a great option for summer floats and are best enjoyed while you kick back in a raft or a tube and watch as an ever-changing landscape of beautiful bluffs, wooded areas, and open fields pass you by.
If you’re going to be floating with kids or people who have never been before then pick a nice day trip and everyone will have a great time.
Illinois River Floating Overnight Trips
If you’ve been Illinois River floating before or you’re a big fan of camping and looking for a little bit more adventure then an overnight Illinois River float trip is the way to go!
You’ll bring all of your camping gear with you in either a canoe or a kayak and spend the night camping along the banks of the river and continue your float the next morning.
For more details on planning an overnight float trip scroll down to our section on planning an Illinois River overnight float trip!
Read More: Top 10 Float Trips in Missouri
Illinois River Cabins and Rental Houses
Camping and rental houses are the best options for places to stay when going floating down the Illinois River.
While camping is a great choice for anyone who wants to spend even more time out in nature, let’s be honest, there’s nothing wrong with wanting to go back to a full kitchen and a shower after spending all day on the river!
If you’re looking for cabins on Illinois River Tahlequah then you’re likely going to be staying in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Staying in Tahlequah is super convenient because you’ll have everything you need including tons of great restaurants close by.
Even though you’re staying in town you’ll still be very close to the river and the Outfitters. Most Outfitters are only 15 minutes from Tahlequah and some are even located in town.
There are so many great rental homes for Illinois River floating and so we have narrowed it down for you to a couple of our favorites.
If you’re looking for Illinois River float trip cabins then this is by far one of our favorites! It’s an absolutely beautiful log home that sits on 300 acres of property!
We also really like that it’s only a 10-minute drive to the Illinois River so you won’t have to drive very far before or after your float trip.
It sleeps 8 and has a huge front porch for relaxing in the morning before you head out or in the evening when you get back. It also has plenty of space for everyone and some awesome reviews!
This is one of the best cabins on the Illinois River near Tahlequah, OK.
Rustic Luxury Home on the Illinois River
If you need even more space but still want to be close to the river, then we would recommend this rustic country home. We like the giant screened-in patio that this house has.
When the wind calms down in the evening the mosquitoes and every other bug imaginable come out. This awesome screened-in area has enough space to keep the party going as late into the evening as you want!
If your group needs a little more space and you want to be able to enjoy the outdoors for as long as possible, then we would highly recommend checking this rental out!
Modern Bungalow Close to Everything
One of the great things about Illinois River floating is that Tahlequah, OK is so close by! From the center of town, even the furthest Outfitters are less than 30 minutes away.
So if you want to stay right in town to be close to everything else in the area then this rental house is the way to go!
This rental is super unique and it’s right in the middle of town so it’s within walking distance of basically anything you could need! It has a private fenced-in patio area so you can hang out outside and is by far one of the best rental home options in the area.
Where to Camp
Camping is another great option for Illinois River floating. A lot of the Outfitters are also campgrounds which makes camping super convenient. Many of the Outfitters will also start your float trip or end your float trip at the campground.
Launching from the campground means you won’t have to add in extra time in the morning to account for the shuttle ride to the put-in point which is perfect if you normally get a little slower start to your day.
But ending at the campground is even better in our opinion! Sure you need to ride the shuttle before you can get started. But at the end of your Tahlequah float trip, all you need to do is pull up to the beach, give your equipment back to the Outfitter, and walk over to your campsite.
Public Campgrounds
Pretty much all of the campgrounds in the immediate area of the Illinois River East of Tahlequah are privately owned. But if you don’t mind a little bit of a drive there are some public campgrounds West of Tahlequah on Fort Gibson Lake.
It’s about a 30-minute drive to get back to Tahlequah and then another 15 minutes to get to the Outfitters so it will add about a 45-minute drive.
Private Campgrounds
In my opinion, private campgrounds are a better option if you’re going to float the Illinois River. They’re much closer to the area of the river used for floating and it’s super easy to find a campground that’s also an Outfitter so you can call and book everything at once.
Every Outfitter in the area also has options for camping on the Illinois River, so keep reading to the next section on picking an Outfitter. While you’re on their website looking at their float trip options, have a look at their Illinois River camping options as well!
Illinois River Floating Outfitters
Illinois River floating is almost always easier with an Outfitter. If you’ve never been floating on the Illinois River in Oklahoma then it’s certainly going to be the way to go. A great Outfitter will set you up with everything you need for a fun day out on the water.
Most Outfitters offer a variety of float options with everything from canoes and kayaks to tubes and big inflatable rafts of all sizes.
They’ll also provide you with lifejackets, and paddles if you need them and fill you in on all of the important info like water levels and safety rules before you leave.
Picking the best Illinois River Outfitter for you is an important decision. Not only will that decide what area of the river you’re going to end up floating, but the trips that you have to choose from and how long they are.
Most Outfitters offer a variety of floats from 4 to 12 miles that will take you anywhere from 2 to 6 hours to complete depending on how long of a trip you choose and how often you stop along the way!
The Outfitters are spread out all along Highway 10 so to help you pick the best Illinois River floating Outfitter for you, we’ve organized them starting closest to Tahlequah and going North along Highway 10 from there.
It’s important to note that this list is NOT best to worse and being closer to Tahlequah doesn’t necessarily make them better. The biggest difference about where they’re located is that this dictates what part of the river they float and what you’re likely to see on your trip.
If you pick an Outfitter located further north you’ll likely see more of the northern part of the river, and the same if you pick an Outfitter who’s located further south.
Illinois River Floating Outfitters
- All American Floats – All American Floats is probably one of the largest Illinois River floating Outfitters. They have 4, 9, and 14-mile floating options. Unfortunately, kids under the age of 4 can’t float with them.
- Falcon Floats – Falcon Floats has a ton of great options and is a good choice if you want to have lots of trips to choose from. They offer everything from 4 to 57-mile trips and even have 2 or 3-day overnight trip options.
- Sparrow Hawk Camp – We have never personally floated with Sparrow Hawk before and to be honest they don’t have much available about themselves online. They have somewhat mixed reviews but are under new management and it seems like they’re making improvements!
- Illinois River Outfitters – Illinois River Outfitters is another great option for an Outfitter. They only offer Kayaks and Rafts but have either half-day or full-day rental options. But they do also offer private shuttle services if you have your own equipment and only need a ride.
- Diamondhead Resort – Diamondhead Resort offers two float trip options: A and B. The A is shorter and takes 2-3 hours the B is longer and takes 3-5 hours. No children under the age of 2 can float with them.
- War Eagle Resort – War Eagle Resort also has two float trip options that they call A and B. Both start further upriver and you float back down to the resort which is always great because then you don’t have to worry about being stuck back on a bus at the end of the day.
- Peyton’s Place – Peyton’s Place is the oldest outfitter on the river. They have years of experience floating the Illinois River in Oklahoma and are a great option for your Illinois River tubing trip.
- Eagle Bluff Resort – Eagle Bluff Resort offers a Leisure trip which is 6 miles and an Adventure trip which is 12 miles. The Leisure trip takes about 2-3 hours and the Adventure trip takes more like 4-6 hours to complete.
- Arrowhead Resort – Arrowhead Resort is one of the highest-rated Illinois River Floating Outfitters. They have 4.4 out of five stars based on over 700 reviews. They have 2 floats available either 6 or 12 miles.
- Hanging Rock Floats – Hanging Rock Floats offers a short float as well as a longer floating Illinois River option. They’re very reasonably priced and can set you up with either a canoe, a raft, or a kayak.
- Riverside Resort – Riverside Resort is the furthest Outfitter upriver. They offer two trips, an A and a B trip. Both trips end at the resort, but trip B also starts at a private launch point which is nice.
Illinois River Safety
One of the other nice things about going on Illinois River Oklahoma float trips with an Outfitter is that they know all of the current river safety guidelines as well as what the current water levels are.
They’ll cover everything you need to know at the office before you head out on the river to keep you and everyone in your group safe on your float Illinois River trip.
Here are some general guidelines to know while planning your trip. The Oklahoma Scenic River Commission (OSRC) was in charge of protecting three of the scenic rivers in Oklahoma, the Illinois River included, until 2016.
After 2016 that responsibility was taken over by the Grand River Dam Authority (GRDA). The Grand River Dam Authority is now responsible for monitoring the river as well as enforcing the rules for everyone who’s out enjoying the Illinois River.
There are extra safety guidelines when the water level is high. As of right now, these are the recommendations when the water level is above normal.
Water Height Above Normal
- 5 Feet 6 Inches: All children from ages 2 – 10 must float in a raft
- 6 Feet: Anyone floating the river must be in a raft
- 7 Feet: Children ages 2 – 10 are no longer allowed to float the river
- 9 Feet 6 Inches: Nobody is allowed to float the river
Your Outfitter will know the current Illinois River water level but if you would like to check the water level for yourself you can see the current Illinois River float trips water level on the USGS website.
Rules & Safety for Tahlequah Float Trips
- No tying tubes or rafts together – This is not allowed for Illinois River floating and there are Oklahoma State Rangers out on the river who will write you a ticket so make sure you keep your rafts and tubes separate.
- No Glass or Hard Alcohol – While you are allowed to drink while Illinois River floating, you won’t be allowed to bring any hard alcohol and anything that you are bringing can’t be in glass.
- Keep Coolers Tied and No Styrofoam – All coolers must be less than 48 quarts and the lid must be secured with a bungee. You won’t be allowed to use any styrofoam coolers.
- Wear your lifejacket – Anyone under the age of 12 must wear a lifejacket at all times and anyone over the age of 13 must have one within arms reach.
- No littering and no jumping/diving from bridges
What To Pack For Illinois River Floating
Packing for a weekend Illinois River floating can be a little difficult if you’ve never been before. We have been a lot of times and so we’re going to make it super easy for you!
The most important thing to remember in our opinion is the sun. When you’re out floating on the river you’re going to be in the sun all day so you’re going to want to make sure you pack a nice pair of sunglasses, a good hat, and some sunscreen.
There’s nothing worse than getting back to your campsite or your rental house after a great day out on the river only to realize that you got super sunburnt in the process.
One of the really fun things to do while Illinois River floating is to stop every once in a while and get out to swim. There are a ton of great stopping points along the river (please respect private property signs and do not stop or get out on private property).
But since you’re probably going to be getting in and out of the water frequently we recommend packing a great pair of water shoes.
I love my Chacos, but I have a pair of these as well and they’re great water shoes for the price.
🛶 Need a Packing List For Your Float Trip? 🛶
Check out our Float Trip Essentials Packing Guide!
Overnight Illinois River Floating
Overnight Illinois River floating is a great option for anyone who’s looking for a little more adventure. Shorter day trips are great for big groups, smaller kids, or people who would prefer not to camp.
But if you love to camp and are looking for a bigger adventure then I would recommend trying an overnight trip.
Going with an Outfitter is still the easiest way to go. Most Outfitters don’t offer overnight trips, but some on the Illinois River do. Falcon Floats offers both 2 and 3-day overnight trips on the Illinois River.
While rafts and tubes are a good option for day trips when you head out for an overnight trip your Outfitter will likely set you up with a canoe or a kayak. That’s because, unlike a day trip, you’ll need to bring all of your camping gear with you since you’ll be spending the night out on the river.
While overnight trips are certainly not for everyone, Jess and I love going on overnight float trips.
You also get the benefit of camping outside of a campground which can be nice since most campgrounds along the Illinois River get busy on the weekends so it’s nice to get out in nature a bit more and leave some of the crowds behind.
So if you’ve been on a few float trips before and you’re ready to level up your adventure, try going on an overnight trip!
Wrap-Up: Floating the Illinois River
Illinois River floating in Oklahoma should definitely be on your list of fun things to do this summer! With Class II easy floating water and an endless supply of beautiful scenery to enjoy, the Illinois River has some of the best float trips Oklahoma has to offer.
We hope this article about float trips down the Illinois River in Oklahoma helps you plan your trip. We would love to connect with you! You can learn more about us here or read more of our recent blog posts here. Also, follow us on Instagram (@UnearthTheVoyage) and Facebook to see what we are up to next!
