Description

Highwater Camp is beautifully located along the banks of the Wild and Scenic Illinois River in Watts, Oklahoma.

To get here you must leave the pavement and follow along several dirt roads that travel past farms, open fields, and forested hills. The canopy high above the road displays a natural wonder that the Japanese refer to as Komorebi 木漏れ日 (pronounced kō-mō-leh-bē), which means, “sunlight leaking through the trees”.

When you first pull into the camp, you can look up at a giant whale bone suspended above the entrance. Drive under it and follow the road that opens up to a large meadow and you will be welcomed with a view of the river and landscape.

From here, you can get a lay of the land and locate where you are setting up for your visit. The sites are not labeled, however refer to the Camp Layout Map for reference.

To access the river, follow the road down a moderately steep hill and cross the culvert that takes you over a natural spring and onto the gravel bar. The spring is much colder than the river and does have an abundance of small fish, an ornery beaver and an occasional pair of river otters.

Next, you will come to a fork in the road. I suggest you take it. The right path will lead you through the main camp and the left will take you straight to the river without driving through the camp area. Either way, you will arrive at the river’s shoreline.

The Main Camp is located very close to the river under a large grove of mature trees, giving you plenty of shade and options to setup your hammocks, tents, or campers.

Picnic tables, trash barrels, and fire rings are dispersed throughout the area.

Beach access may be shared among other guests such as family, friends or other pre-approved parties. The roads, beach and shoreline should be treated as common areas to all HWC guests. Please be respectful to others.

It is not our intention to grow this place up to or beyond its capacity, but to offer some river access, without overcrowding or being completely exclusive. We have intentionally limited access for a more private experience.

HWC is Primarily Primitive Camping

No running water, electric, internet, BBQ pits or flushing toilets exist for public use. (with the exception of 2 recently added Electric Only sites)

Alternate Campsite

You may also choose to camp in the meadow if the river levels are high or expected to rise. You do not need additional permission or a separate reservation to use this option. It is always available to our camping guests. It is up to you to decide which location is best for your group.

RV’s and Trailer Access

For reference, I had a 40’ length, 9 ft tall shipping container brought to the property that was towed by a 5500 Chevy Truck pulling a Goose neck flatbed roll off trailer, without any problems.

Max height for clearance overhead is 14 feet due to a guy line wire on a telephone pole a few hundred yards before you get to the gate. If you are close, don’t push it. That’s a rough estimate taken with a flimsy tape measure from the ground on a windy day. That is the average height of most RV garage doors.

No medium or large size RV’s or trailer campers may cross the culvert.

Larger RV’s and Trailer Campers should plan to camp at the electric sites or in the meadow only.

Rain or recent rain could create soft ground.

Smaller adventure style vehicles and/or trailers should be okay driving down onto the gravel bar, but again, we cannot guarantee access.

Due to the wide definitions of classes of RV’s, I cannot tell you which ones will be okay and which ones will not. What I can tell you, is that if there is any doubt, do not drive it across the culvert. If you get stuck on the gravel bar or elsewhere, you will have to call for your own tow truck.

RV’s and Trailer Waste

No dumping of any waste is allowed anywhere on the property. Anyone caught dumping their RV will be reported and you will be asked to leave and possibly incur a fine. This includes gray water. Natural Springs State Park is only a few miles away and does have an RV waste hookup for a small fee. Thanks for being responsible.

RV Wastewater/Sewer Dump Station

Natural Falls State Park

Address: 19255 E 578 Rd Colcord OK 74338                      

Phone: 1-918-422-5802

($5.00 Charge – must check in with office during business hours daylight to dusk 7 days a week – Closed Christmas and Thanksgiving)

Pets

(2) well behaved dogs per group are allowed at no extra charge. No pet may be left unattended. (Please read the HWC rules for more info)

Toilets

There are 2 clean porta johns available on the gravel bar, however depending on the season, they may be placed on the high ground a little further from the main camp.

Cell Service and Internet

Cell service is still spotty in some places, but has improved significantly. (We have been informed by some of our guests that Verizon seems to work most of the time and guests with ATT reported that they had no cell service. T-Mobile or other providers are unknown. There is still no internet available to the public unless you bring your own Starlink etc.

Showers and Laundry

None on Site

Showers - Love’s Travel Stop – 3033 US-412 West Siloam Springs OK 74338

24/7 Laundry - 1004 S. Mt Olive St #6 Siloam Springs AR 72761

Soap Opera Laundry – 403 S Lincoln St. Siloam Springs AR 72761

Circle N Laundromat – 951 Tulsa Ave Kansas OK 74347

Booking Info

Open May 1st - November 15th

Check-In After 2:00 p.m.

Checkout Before 12:00 p.m. (noon)

No Drop Ins - Online Booking Only - No Cash- Pre-Pay before arrival- Very Limited Availability - Prices are subject to change at any time

Maximum stay is 7 days per booking

You should screen shot or take a picture of your paid receipt and/or have a printed copy available to present if requested

If no spots are available on the booking page, then we are full or have blocked out those dates for special events

Cancellation Policy

Less than 3 days to reservation- No refunds

Over 3 days to reservation- Camping reservations and rental equipment will receive a full refund if cancelling for any reason, minus a $10 cancellation fee

No refunds for River Access Passes or other services

Check the weather before making a reservation and at least 3 days before your planned visit.

Call or email for cancellation requests

Primitive Camp Site #3

This site can accommodate small or large groups

This reservation includes camping and beach access for day use

You may camp on gravel bar either in the trees, next to the river or in the meadow on the high ground

$30/Night on Week Days (Monday-Thursday)

$35/Night on Weekends (2 night min booking, Friday & Saturday, during peak season)

Campsite allows up to (6) people and (2) vehicles at the base price

Add $5 for each additional person per night up to 24 people max (the first 6 people are included in the base price)

Add $5 per additional vehicle per night up to 12 vehicles (the first 2 vehicles are included in the base price)

Price is fixed regardless if the group size is less than the maximum allowed. No prorating is available

Larger Groups (>24 people)- and for exclusively private reservations, contact us for pricing and availability

Primitive campground users are not authorized to use the electricity or camp in the RV sites unless your group has booked those sites.

100% self contained adventure style RV’s, camper trailers, roof top or pop up tents etc. are allowed at this site.

Example: A truck with a camper trailer in tow will be counted just as a single vehicle.

No dumping of any waste is allowed anywhere on the property. Anyone caught dumping their RV will be reported and you will be asked to leave and possibly incur a fine. (this includes gray water)

Electric RV/Tent Camp Site #1 & Site #2

Electric RV/Tent sites (50A/30A/110v available per site)

This reservation includes camping and beach access for day use

Max of (6) people and 2 drivable vehicles are allowed per site

No additional people or vehicles may be added to this site, you may book an additional site if you have more people

Only (1) RV or camper is allowed per electric site

Example: A truck with a camper trailer in tow will be counted just as a single vehicle.

$35/night on weekdays Mon-Thurs (per site)

$45/night on weekends Fri/Sat/Sun or Holiday (per site)

Price is fixed regardless if the group size is less than the maximum allowed. No prorating is available.

You may book one or both sites, independently or in conjunction with the primitive campsite booking.

If using an electric site primarily for an RV, you are allowed to also pitch tents in close proximity to your site as well.

If you book the Electric site only, you are not allowed to camp on the beach along the river unless you have also booked the primitive campground.

(Warning: These are pull through sites however, you may still choose to back in. Inexperienced backers are not recommended due to surrounding trees. Note: The Electric Sites are a gravel base and are not guaranteed to be level.

100% self contained adventure style RV’s, camper trailers, roof top or pop up tents etc. are allowed at this site.

No dumping of any waste is allowed anywhere on the property. Anyone caught dumping their RV will be reported and you will be asked to leave and possibly incur a fine. (this includes gray water)

River Access Pass

Camping guests do not need to purchase a River Access Pass. However, GRDA does require a river permit for each watercraft that is used on the river. We do not sell private boat permits from GRDA. You will have to contact GRDA directly for more info of how and where to purchase them. 918-256-5545

If you are not camping and only wish to use HWC to set your own shuttle, you must purchase a River Access Passes. See GRDA river map to view a list of float operators, rentals, shuttle services and public access locations.)

Disclaimer

We are still a pretty new business. Please be patient as we continue to get everything up and running and figure out how to meet your wants and needs on the river. We know there is a desire for showers, running water, nice bathrooms, a pavilion, and many other things. If you are a glamper, you will need to bring the glamping with you. If you show up prepared, you will have a good time. The only way to get this place going was just to open up and build it as we go. We love all of your support and appreciate your feedback.

We hope you have an awesome time on the river.