Highwater Camp
Booking Info
Open May 1st - October 31st
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 Camping
1 Campsite allows up to (6) people and (2) vehicles at the base price
$35/Night on Weekends (2 night min booking, Friday & Saturday, during peak season)
$30/Night on Week Days (Monday-Thursday)
$25/night/ every day in October
Add $5 for each additional person per night up to 24 people max (the first 6 are included in the base price)
Add $5 per additional vehicle per night up to 12 vehicles (the first 2 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
RV campsite campers are not allowed to camp on the beach along the river unless that group has also booked the primitive campground and vice versa, primitive campground users are not authorized to use the electricity or camp in the RV sites unless your group has booked those sites.
RV Site Camping (Electric Only - No Waste or Water Hookups)
2 RV sites are now available
Max of (6) people and 2 drivable vehicles are allowed per site
(example 1 truck with camper trailer and 1 additional vehicle, or 1 drivable RV with an additional vehicle)
$35/night on weekdays Mon-Thurs (per site)
$45/night on weekends Fri/Sat/Sun or Holiday (per site)
You may book one or both sites, independently or in conjunction with the primitive campsite booking.
You may also pitch a tent or two in close proximity to your RV site. RV campsite campers are not allowed to camp on the beach along the river unless that group has also booked the primitive campground and vice versa, primitive campground users are not authorized to use the electricity or camp in the RV sites unless your group has booked those sites.
(Warning: these are pull through sites with a river gravel base, they are not guaranteed to be level, inexperienced backers are not recommended due to surrounding trees. Note: the ground can get soft after a heavy rain)
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)
Description
Highwater Camp is beautifully located on the gravel bar very close to the river. The oversized campsites are placed under a large grove of mature trees, giving you plenty of shade and options to setup your hammocks, tents, or camper. Picnic tables, fire rings and trash barrels are also dispersed throughout the area. Rooftop tent camping, adventure vans and small adventure style trailer campers that are self contained may camp directly in the campground or on the beach. All other RV style campers and/or medium to large campers must book an RV site.
Alternate Camping Area: 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.
Primitive Camping
No running water, electric, internet, BBQ pits or flushing toilets exist for public use.
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.
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
Privacy
Beach access may be shared among other guests such as family, friends or other pre-approved parties including RV site guests, River Access Pass users, and CFO’s. 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, however, it is a delicate balance. If you wish to have the entire place to yourself for an exclusive private event, please give us a call or send us an email and we will try to accommodate your needs.
RV’s and Trailers
We do not want to restrict how people choose to camp. However, we have to be reasonable as well. For now, we are limiting this option to allow only one small RV or trailer camper per primitive camping group at no extra charge. It will just count as a vehicle. No medium or large RV’s or trailer campers may cross the culvert. Rain or recent rain could create soft ground. 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.
Smaller adventure style vehicles and/or trailers should be okay, but again, we cannot guarantee access. If you get stuck on the gravel bar or elsewhere, you will have to call for your own tow truck. I am sure that is not cheap. There are no RV hookups on the gravel bar and ALL RV’s, campers, popup campers etc. must be self contained. 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. 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)
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.
FLASH FLOOD WARNING
FLASH FLOOD WARNING: Camp or float at your own risk! The main campground is on a gravel bar very close to the river which can and does get completely submerged during highwater. A flash flood can occur without warning, day or night, 365 days a year. You are responsible for monitoring river levels and weather conditions. HWC does not monitor or send notifications to guests regarding changing conditions. There are several links offered on this website to assist you in your own research.
If you choose to camp on the gravel bar and heavy rain is present on site or upriver, be prepared to break camp and move to higher ground. If you notice the river rising while you are camping, move to higher ground and get off of the gravel bar immediately. Its is highly recommended that you do not leave vehicles unattended on the gravel bar during your float, especially if the water levels are already high and more rain is expected. You may park vehicles in the main parking area or in the meadow. Please cancel your trip if heavy rain or flooding is forecasted. We want everyone to be safe. It is 100% up to you to be responsible for your own safety while camping and on the river. I don't want to scare anyone away, but I want you to be fully informed so you can make your own decisions.
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.
LIFE SAFETY RISK: Flash flooding is a real concern and the consequences could be severe. You could die. For legal and liability concerns, that is about as blunt as I can state it. Seriously, if you have any concerns about your ability to safely exit the gravel bar or river from a flashflood, either camp at the Alternate Campsite or do not stay here.
Okay, now that I am done scaring the crap out of you….On a better note, when the weather is good, the river and the beach here are pretty darn nice. The point is, you need to be vigilant and have a plan. If you are still reading this and have not already booked a campsite at another location, Welcome to HWC, where we don’t sugar coat the liability information.