Illinois River, Oklahoma, US

Watts to Barren Fork Creek (62.5 miles) (Upper Illinois)

Easy Paddling on the Illinois River

Easy Paddling on the Illinois River
Photo by Thomas P. Jones taken 10/03/10

Gauge Information

River Description

Located in the foothills of the Ozark mountains in northeast Oklahoma, the Illinois is one of Oklahoma's best paddling streams. It's got everything from calm, deep pools up to moderate class 2 rapids.

This information is "in-progress", but here's a description of a nice spot with easy access right next to the highway.

*********** Echota Bend ***********

The river makes a 90 degree bend at Echota, which creates nice eddy lines right at the listed put-in. The best part is downstream just a hundred yards or so. There you'll discover that a stream "channel stabilization" project by the Oklahoma Scenic River Commission has created great eddy lines for squirting and playboating. At almost any level, you should find a couple of long, sharp eddy lines with strong currents -- the best on the whole river. Have fun playing and then paddle back upstream to the put-in for a good workout - no shuttle needed. In fall-winter-spring, you'll have it all to yourself. In the summer, there can be a lot of raft and canoe traffic - so go early or late.