Arrowhead Resort
Rafts for 2 to 8 people, and kayaks.
- Where
- 7704 Highway 10 · Directions
- Phone
- 918-456-1140
- Online
- arrowheadresortok.com
Illinois River
Floating the Illinois River at Tahlequah
Canoes, kayaks, rafts and tubes, mostly from the outfitters along Highway 10 north of town. Here's today's river level, who rents boats, and the rules on the water.
The river today
4.83ft
229 cfs · steady · about usual for the date
High water. Above 6½ feet, GRDA's rules require outfitters to warn floaters about the danger.
Flood stage. The National Weather Service counts 11 feet here as flooding. Stay off the river.
From the USGS gauge on the Illinois River near Tahlequah (number 07196500), the one GRDA's rules go by. A reading, not a forecast: call your outfitter before you drive out. The gauge's own page
Outfitters
Rentals and the shuttle backDiamondhead Resort
Rafts for 4, 6 and 8 people, and kayaks.
- Where
- 12081 OK-10 · Directions
- Phone
- 918-456-4545
- Online
- diamondheadresorts.com
Its site gives the first launch at 8 AM and the last at 2 PM. Office Sunday to Thursday 8 AM to 6 PM, Friday and Saturday to 7 PM.
Eagle Bluff Resort
Kayaks, rafts and tubes.
- Where
- 9800 N. Highway 10 · Directions
- Phone
- 918-456-3031
- Online
- eaglebluffresort.com
Illinois River Outfitters
Sit-on-top kayaks and 6-person rafts.
- Where
- 12689 N. Highway 10 · Directions
- Phone
- 918-822-3528
- Online
- illinoisriveroutfitters.com
Its site says long trips must check in before 11 AM and be off the water by 7 PM. The address is from GRDA's river guide; the outfitter's site doesn't give one.
Peyton's Place Resort
Canoes, kayaks and rafts.
- Where
- 10298 N. Highway 10 · Directions
- Phone
- 918-456-3847
- Online
- peytonsplace.com
Its site gives office hours of 8 AM to 6 PM, and said it was closed for the season when checked.
Riverbend Floats
Rafts, tubes and kayaks.
- Where
- 17252 State Highway 10 · Directions
- Phone
- 918-207-5373
- Online
- riverbendfloats.com
Its site lists 9 AM to 2 PM, every day. GRDA's guide gives a different phone number, 918-708-6800.
War Eagle Resort
Rafts, and single and double kayaks.
- Where
- 13020 N. Highway 10 · Directions
- Phone
- 918-456-6272
- Online
- wareagleresort.com
Its site says the season depends on the weather, floaters must be off the river by 6 PM, and the price includes the GRDA float permit.
Checked October 26, 2026, each on its own website. None publishes its season's dates, so call ahead. GRDA's2025 river guide lists more outfitters, some of whose websites no longer work.
Rules on the river
- Life jackets. Everyone aboard needs a Coast Guard-approved life jacket, and children 12 and under must wear theirs the whole time.
- Drinks. No liquor at any time. Beer and wine are allowed for anyone 21 or over, in their original cans or boxes, never glass. The Watts, Todd and US 62 Bridge access areas allow no alcohol at all.
- Containers. No glass, no Styrofoam and no Jell-O shot cups.
- Coolers. They must close or lock, and hold no more than 52 quarts.
- Boats. Don't tie boats together. No jet skis, and no motor over 10 horsepower.
- Your own boat. It needs a GRDA float permit: $1 a boat for the day, or $10 for the year. With an outfitter, ask whether the permit is in the price.
- Trash. Pack out what you bring in. GRDA's office gives out trash bags free.
The river is run by the Grand River Dam Authority's Scenic Rivers Operations, 15971 OK-10, 918-456-3251. It took over from the Oklahoma Scenic Rivers Commission in 2016.
Checked October 26, 2026 · GRDA's rules, Title 300 Chapter 40 · 2025 river guide
Public access areas
Where GRDA lets you put in or take out, from its 2025 map, upstream to downstream: from near the Arkansas line down toward Lake Tenkiller.
- Wattsmile 3.1 · no alcohol
- Carnes Fordmile 10.4
- Round Hollowmile 27.7
- Stunkardmile 28.0
- Peavinemile 32.4
- Edmondsonmile 36.2
- No Head Hollowmile 41.5
- Toddmile 47.0 · no alcohol
- Echotamile 53.2
- US 62 Bridgemile 55.1 · no alcohol
- Murrell Home Roadmile 62.0
The Murrell Home and Welling Bridge areas are run by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 918-487-5252.
Checked October 26, 2026 · GRDA 2025 river guide and map
Help keep it clean
Save the Illinois River organizes cleanups and takes volunteers. More ways to help are on the Community page.