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

To get here you will travel along several dirt roads past farms, open fields, and forested hills.

Just before the camp is a gate, it should be open, but if its closed or locked use the code provided at your checkout. You can leave it open. Stay left after the gate.

When you first pull into the camp, you can look up at a giant whale bone suspended above the entrance. 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 to the south (left) 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.

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 however, there is no shade along the shoreline directly on the beach. We recommend bringing shade tents and sunscreen.

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.

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

Kids 5 yrs old and younger camp for free!

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

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

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 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)

RV’s and Camper Trailer Access

My best guess is that a 27’ length, standard width, 12’ height is the max size camper trailer that will practically fit into the electric sites #1 and #2. These are pull through sites however, you may still choose to back in if it is easier for you. You may want to scout it first. Inexperienced backers are not recommended due to surrounding trees. Please don’t drive into the landscaping to park.

This is just an estimate. Your tow vehicle, tongue length, turn radius and ground clearance and many other factors will effect your access.

A straight chassis RV of the same length may have a harder time fitting. The pads are 60’+ in length, its the turn radius that might give you some trouble.

We are not trying to restrict how you camp or what you bring in here. I am not an RV expert. We are just trying to give you some practical information that can help you make the best decision for yourself. I hope this helps.

It is 100% up to you if you want to try to bring your rig into the campground. There is plenty of room for larger RV’s and camper trailers to park (or camp) in the meadow or turn around in the parking area if needed while you scout the campsites.

If you don’t think you will fit, you can always just camp in the back of the meadow, however you will not have access to the electric source out there.

Max height for clearance overhead is 14 feet due to a guy line wire on a telephone pole across the dirt road a few hundred yards before you get to the gate. If you are close in height, 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.

For reference, I had a 40’ length, 9’ height shipping container brought onto the property that was towed on a 5500 dually flatbed truck roll off which brought its height almost to the max (13.5’) without any problems.

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

Pad is a gravel/dirt based and not guaranteed to be level. Rain or recent rain could create soft ground.

Smaller adventure style vehicles and/or trailers may be okay driving down onto the gravel bar, but again, we cannot guarantee access. Scout it yourself and you decide.

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.

ROAD CONDITIONS

Although its not usually needed to get here, 4x4 may be needed in ice/snow winter conditions or if you plan to drive onto some of the unmaintained sections of the gravel bar. Very heavy rain can wash out some sections of the dirt road. There are a few dips that may create drag points for low or very long trailers and RV’s. Unknown what length or height of vehicle will clear without any issues. Ground clearance depends on many factors. There are a few sections on the dirt road that may allow only single lane traffic. Be prepared to back up or yield to oncoming traffic. The road is an easement that is shared with our neighbors. Please be respectful and patient with any traffic including tractors. We try to keep the vegetation cleared out, however very wide vehicles could get some pin stripes.

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. Service may be spotty along the route a few miles before camp. If you are using Google Maps, Do not close your map or it might not reload. Once you are at the camp, you should have service again.

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

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 Pass. 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