Illinois River

Helpful Links

Float Permits & Camping Reservations
Illinois River Guide

Current River Gage Readings

Where to buy fishing/hunting licenses?

Fishing and hunting licenses can be purchased at Wal-Mart. They can also be purchased online from the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.

Oklahoma’s six scenic rivers, the Illinois River, Barren Fork Creek, Flint Creek, Lee Creek, Little Lee Creek, and the Upper Mountain Fork, collectively extend 161 miles. These rivers were granted scenic status based on their superior water quality and position as outstanding natural resources. The scenic river designation affords these valuable resources the highest protection and priority available through Oklahoma’s environmental agencies.

GRDA Scenic Rivers Operations carries out the provisions of the Scenic Rivers Act through protection, preservation, and education. That mission is to protect, enhance, and preserve the outstanding aesthetic, historic, archaeological and scientific features and promote public safety.

Helpful tips while floating:

  • Wear a life jacket – By law, children 12 and younger must wear a life jacket the entire time while floating and every floater must have a proper life jacket in quick reach.
  • It’s illegal to tie vessels together– Tying rafts, kayaks, tubes or other vessels together is illegal on the scenic rivers and dangerous if it were caught in downed trees or other debris in the river.
  • Alcohol– Beer and wine are allowed in non-glass containers for those 21 and older. Jello-shots and distilled spirits (whiskey, brandy, rum, gin, vodka, etc.) and illegal on the river.
  • Glass and Styrofoam are prohibited on the river and gravel bars.
  • Float permits– Day use ($1) or annual ($10) scenic river float permits are required for each vessel when floating on an Oklahoma Scenic River. You can purchase permits and camping reservations online using the green link above, in the Scenic Rivers office, at GRDA river public access areas using the QR codes on signage, or by calling the office at 918-456-3251.

For More Information Contact:

GRDA Scenic River Operations Office,  918-456-3251

15971 N HWY 10, Tahlequah, OK 74464