7 Best Rivers in Oklahoma to Float in 2024
Looking for the best rivers in Oklahoma to float? Oklahoma is a super underrated state especially when it comes to float trips. If you’re looking for a river to float in Oklahoma, there are 7 amazing options and each will provide you with a unique experience!
One of our favorite things to do is go on float trips in the summer. Since we live in Missouri, a nearby state to Oklahoma, we thought we’d check out the awesome float trip rivers Oklahoma has to offer.
Since Oklahoma is home to beautiful but lesser-known rivers, it can be hard to gather information and plan accordingly. You will need to find a place to stay or camp as well as an outfitter to rent from.
But we’ve already done all of the research for you, so you can just dive into planning your Oklahoma River floating trip!
The 7 Best Rivers in Oklahoma to Float
1. The Illinois River
Distance from Tulsa: 1.5 hours
Distance from Oklahoma City: 2.5 hours
Distance from Springfield: 2.5 hours
The Illinois River is one of the best rivers to float in Oklahoma, which is why it’s also the most popular river for float trips.
The river runs 145 miles through some of the most beautiful areas of Oklahoma. The river starts in the Ozark mountains and flows southwest through Oklahoma.
The section of the river that flows close to the town of Tahlequah is super convenient which makes it the most popular stretch of river to float.
This river has a variety of outfitters available that can supply you with a canoe, kayak, or raft. They also offer shuttle services to and from the put-in spots. You can spend anywhere from 2 hours to an entire day or even overnight camping when you go on Illinois River floats in Oklahoma.
🛶 Looking for more info about the Illinois River? 🛶
Check out our complete guide all about Tahlequah River Floating
Where to Stay: Secluded Rustic Cabin On 160 Acres
This huge rustic cabin sleeps 11 people making it a great option for large groups or family getaways.
Our favorite part about this cabin is that it gives you all of the comforts of home while only being 15 minutes away from a number of outfitters on the Illinois River. This cabin is also only 20 minutes from Tahlequah and 30 minutes from Lake Tenkiller and Lake Gibson.
You can unplug and unwind at this completely secluded cabin after a long day of floating the river Oklahoma!
Where to Rent: Illinois River Outfitters
Illinois River Outfitters is a highly rated outfitter on the Illinois River. They provide kayak and raft rentals and they can even accommodate people that bring their own equipment.
This outfitter offers half-day trips and full-day trips that travel along the upper part of the Illinois River. They do, however, require reservations in advance, especially for weekend floats.
Where to Camp: Peyton’s Place Resort
Peyton’s Place Resort is the oldest canoe riverside resort on the Illinois River. This resort offers every kind of camping experience from air-conditioned cabins to RV parks to electric or primitive campsites.
If you’d like to conveniently float with the same place you are camping, Peyton’s Place Resort also offers float trip reservations that include a variety of canoe or raft trips.
2. The Glover River
Distance from Tulsa: 3.5 hours
Distance from Oklahoma City: 3.5 hours
Distance from Springfield: 5.5 hours
The Glover River, known as Oklahoma’s last free-flowing river, flows for 27 miles through the mountain country of McCurtain County.
This isolated river is a lesser-known hideaway making it a perfect place for people looking to avoid crowds.
The Glover River offers class I and class II rapids that make it the ideal condition for rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. It is also a prime location for fishing where you can catch different types of catfish and bass.
Where to Stay: Secluded Cabin Lazy J Hideaway
This spacious 3 bedroom and 2 bath cabin sleeps up to 12 people. With an amazing living space and even a game room, there is plenty to keep the entire family or a large group entertained.
One of the defining features of this cabin is that it’s nestled in the Ouachita Mountains making it just minutes from the banks of the Glover River. It is also only 25 minutes from Broken Bow Lake and Beavers Bend State Park.
Where to Rent/Camp: Last Wild River Resort
The Last Wild River Resort is located on 164 acres and the Glover River runs through the entirety of the property. This allows the resort to offer a unique outdoor experience where you get to have total privacy and seclusion while you enjoy nature.
This resort provides experiences including hiking, fishing, kayaking, and canoeing. You can also rent any of the cabins on the property if you choose to spend the night. If you prefer to float outside of the resort, Last Wild River recommends Remote Floats on Glover River which you can find on Facebook.
3. Mountain Fork River
Distance from Tulsa: 3.5 hours
Distance from Oklahoma City: 4 hours
Distance from Springfield: 5.5 hours
The Mountain Fork River is the best river to float in Oklahoma if you are looking for scenic rivers with lots of floating and fishing opportunities!
This 98-mile-long river has two sections: Upper Mountain Fork and Lower Mountain Fork. The upper part of the river flows through pine forests and can vary in rapids depending on the rainfall. The Upper Mountain Fork is more suited for people who would like to go fishing.
Whereas the lower part of the river is perfect for floating. Since the Broken Bow Lake feeds the lower part, it is navigable all year round.
Where to Stay: The Grandview Riverfront Cabin
This luxury waterfront cabin sleeps up to 6 people with plenty of living spaces inside and outside including a hot tub and a patio!
There’s nothing that this beautiful cabin doesn’t have, but one of our favorite features is the river deck that gives you easy access to the water where you can swim or fish or kayak with the gear that comes with the cabin.
Where to Rent: Wild Goose Canoe & Kayak Rental
Located along the Lower Mountain Fork River, the Wild Goose offers two basic float trips. The first trip is the 8-mile option where you will take on class II and higher rapids and the Presbyterian Falls. The second trip is less challenging and only 5 miles long, but still just as beautiful.
Apart from float trips and rentals, the Wild Goose also has primitive campsites available now.
Where to Camp: Beavers Bend State Park
Beavers Bend State Park in Broken Bow is one of the most beautiful state parks in Oklahoma. The park boasts thousands of acres with many outdoor activities to do and things to see!
When it comes to campgrounds, Beavers Bend State Park offers hundreds of RV campsites plus 50 tent sites. Additionally, there are cabins and group sites available with plenty of amenities to keep you comfortable.
4. The Spring River
Distance from Tulsa: 1.5 hours
Distance from Oklahoma City: 3 hours
Distance from Springfield: 2 hours
The Spring River is a 129-mile waterway that has a 22-mile route that flows through the northeast corner of Oklahoma. This river is wide and quiet with few rapids which makes it a great option for novice floaters.
This river is navigable year-round for canoes and kayaks. With the river running through Spring Canoe Trails State Park and Twin Bridges State Park, there are plenty of camping and lodging options as well as some outfitters that provide gear rental for float trips in Oklahoma.
Where to Stay: Riverside Studio Cabin
This quaint studio cabin is situated in the forest that lines the Spring River. The cabin sleeps up to 6 people and has plenty of outdoor spaces to hang out!
This cozy cabin has plenty of amenities to make you and your guests feel at home. You are also conveniently close to multiple put-ins on the Spring River. Go on an Oklahoma river float by heading to Twin Bridges State Park which is only 6 miles away.
Where to Rent: Blue Hole Canoe Floats
If you can’t bring your own floating gear, you can call the Quapaw-based outfitter Blue Hole Canoe Floats. This outfitter has been in business since 1972 and is a great affordable float trip option!
Blue Hole offers canoe rentals as well as primitive campsites and cabins. It is a quiet and far less crowded alternative to the Illinois River.
Where to Camp: Twin Bridges State Park
Known for its quiet country atmosphere and fishing opportunities, Twin Bridges State Park is the perfect place to be one with nature.
Twin Bridges State Park offers campsites that range from RV sites with water and electricity to tent sites. All guests have access to the comfort stations around the park that include showers. If you rather not rough it on the campground, you can reserve one of the lake huts that offer some more amenities.
5. Kiamichi River
Distance from Tulsa: 1 hour
Distance from Oklahoma City: 2.5 hours
Distance from Springfield: 3 hours
When it comes to river float trips in Oklahoma, the Kiamichi River is a gem that offers remote rafting through mountain wilderness where you will see tons of wildlife and even find a secluded swimming hole!
This river, located in the southeast part of Oklahoma, winds for approximately 165 miles until it empties in the Red River. The Kiamichi is ideal for floaters of all skill levels and it is also the perfect place to go fishing.
Where to Stay: The Crescent Moon Lodge
This large cabin in the Kiamichi wilderness is perfect for a large family vacation or for a big group of friends to get together! It sleeps up to 24 people and is situated on 160 acres that are full of native wildlife.
We love that this cabin has more than just awesome amenities in the cabin, but it has a ton to do on the property as well. There are gardens, a pond, three docks, the river, trails, and much more.
Where to Rent/Camp: K River Campground
Located near Antlers, Oklahoma, K River Campground is a 100 acres campground that offers treehouses, glamping tents, cabins, and many other campsites.
In addition to camping in the Kiamichi Mountains, K River is also an outfitter for the Kiamichi River. You can rent kayaks and canoes and you can also go tubing the river in Oklahoma with K River Campground too!
6. The Washita River
Distance from Tulsa: 3 hours
Distance from Oklahoma City: 3 hours
Distance from Springfield: 5.5 hours
The Washita River is a long river that enters the west side of Oklahoma. Despite the length of this river, there is only a 10-mile stretch of the river in south central Oklahoma that is best suited for float trips.
This floatable stretch of river is still beautiful and is near Turner Falls with a few camping and float rental options around the area.
Where to Stay: Secluded Log Home
This beautiful log cabin is a great place for a weekend getaway! It sleeps up to 8 people and is located right by the Lake of the Arbuckles.
This cabin has all the comforts of home while only being 10 to 15 minutes from the Washita River. We especially like the wrap-around deck with the large hot tub to unwind after a long float trip.
Where to Rent/Camp: River Bottom Campground & Tubing
River Bottom Campground is a highly rated outfitter on the Washita River. They offer a 4-mile float and it’s the best place for river tubing in Oklahoma!
If you extend your stay overnight, you will find primitive campsites that are equipped with grills and a picnic area.
7. Oklahoma River
Distance from Tulsa: 1.5 hours
Distance from Oklahoma City: 2 hours
Distance from Springfield: 3.5 hours
The 7-mile stretch of river near Oklahoma City is fast becoming one of the best river floats Oklahoma has to offer.
Since the river is adjacent to downtown Oklahoma City, it is the perfect spot for some weekend kayaking and canoeing. There is also a 100+ acre Boathouse District on the river’s north shore that has tons of activity centers.
Where to Rent/Stay: Riversport Rapids
Riversport Rapids is Oklahoma City’s newest whitewater rafting and kayak center. This outfitter offers a range of experiences on the Oklahoma River including whitewater rafting, tubing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Since the Oklahoma River is in an urban setting, Riversport Rapids partners with a number of hotels so that you can stay and float for a special rate!
What to Bring When Floating Oklahoma Rivers
There are a lot of things that you will want to bring on Oklahoma river floats. There are some important things that you won’t want to forget that will make your float trip much easier.
We’ve been on a ton of float trips, so we have come up with a list of exactly what you will need and made an ultimate float trip essentials list to help you pack for your trip!
But here’s a quick breakdown of the most important things.
- Floating accessories
Some of the most important accessories for floating are definitely sun protection. Absolutely bring and wear sunscreen, sunglasses, and even a hat.
You will want to protect your phone from the water with a waterproof pouch and a dry bag backpack for the rest of your gear. A packable towel and a hands-free drink holder will also make your Oklahoma River float that much better.
- A cooler
You will want to pack drinks and lunch in a cooler. There are a ton of cooler options that are specially made for float trips, but our two favorites are the tow-behind floating coolers or a backpack cooler.
- Float trip clothes
The best clothes to wear on a float trip are quick-drying clothes. If you plan on jumping in at a swimming hole, then it’s best to wear a swimsuit. You will want to avoid cotton since it stays wet, and consider a rashguard to protect yourself from the sun if you burn easily.
- Water shoes
Waterproof shoes are a must on any float trip. You will want water shoes that are quick drying with durable soles for the rocky river beds.
When to Go on Float Trips in Oklahoma
While some of the rivers on this list are navigable year-round, the best time to go river floating in Oklahoma is during summer.
The summer season offers the best river float Oklahoma weather with temperatures typically hanging in the 80s which makes floating the river in Oklahoma, especially tubing and swimming feel great.
But since summer is a popular time for everyone to float, the rivers will be busier during the summer season. The peak months of the summer are June and July.
Most of the river-floating Oklahoma facilities and outfitters are also open during the spring and fall seasons as well. So if you don’t mind the chance of chillier temperatures, you can beat the crowds during these seasons.
With rivers being navigable year-round, winter is also an option. You will want to call ahead to the outfitter of your choice to make sure they can accommodate you though.
Wrap-Up: Rivers in Oklahoma to Float
We hope that this guide gives you all of the information you need on Oklahoma rivers to float! We love that some of these rivers are still true hidden gems that give you such a unique view of Oklahoma.
Whether you go for the ever-popular Illinois River or you choose a more secluded river like the Glover, you can’t go wrong with any of these 7 rivers. You will see that Oklahoma has so much more to offer than you ever thought before!
