Highwater Camp












Highwater Camp Overview
Rating
Phone (918) 226-1308
Address 468501 E 599 Rd, Colcord, OK 74338, USA
Website https://www.highwatercamp.com/
Hours
Highwater Camp Location & Map
OklahomaAdair CountyColcordEast 599 Road
Highwater Camp
468501 E 599 Rd
Ferncrest Flint Creek
57025 County Rd 660
Shady Rest On Flint Creek
56531 County Rd 660
Illinois River Yacht Club and Campground
Rt 2 Box 1272
Upper Illinois River Floats
63320 4625 Rd
CedarView Mobile Home Park
S Colcord Ave
Green Tree RV Park
1800 US-412 West
Wilderness Adventure RV Park
462615 E 635 Rd
Colonial Estates Mobile Home
1112 W Tulsa St #36
Tradin' at the Ranch
Tahlequah
- © Leaflet © OpenStreetMap
Highwater Camp About
For Oklahomans seeking an authentic and private outdoor adventure, particularly one centered around the beauty of the Illinois River, Highwater Camp in Colcord, OK, stands out as an exceptional choice. This campground offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature, whether you're planning a float trip, a fishing expedition, or simply a secluded getaway with friends and family. It’s a place where the sounds of the river and the camaraderie of fellow campers create a truly memorable experience.
In a state as rich in natural waterways and outdoor recreational opportunities as Oklahoma, finding a campground that perfectly balances seclusion with accessibility is invaluable. Highwater Camp, as highlighted by glowing customer reviews, provides just that. It's a destination favored by those who appreciate a more rustic approach to camping, focusing on the natural environment and the joy of outdoor activities. The passionate and conscientious owners are dedicated to ensuring guests have a safe and enjoyable time, making it a reliable choice for your next river adventure.
This article will guide you through the distinctive offerings of Highwater Camp, detailing its prime location, the essential services it provides, its standout features and highlights, and why it’s an ideal spot for any Oklahoman looking to connect with the great outdoors. We'll provide you with factual information to help you plan your next unforgettable trip to this welcoming haven in Colcord.
Highwater Camp is strategically located at 468501 E 599 Rd, Colcord, OK 74338, USA. This address places it in a prime position in northeastern Oklahoma, within Delaware County, and most importantly, directly on or with very close access to the Illinois River. The river is a major draw, renowned throughout Oklahoma for its clear waters, scenic beauty, and excellent opportunities for floating, kayaking, and fishing. Being a "river site" means campers have direct immersion in this sought-after natural environment, making it perfect for water-based recreational activities.
Accessibility to Highwater Camp is well-regarded, allowing for convenient access even for those traveling from out of state, as noted by a reviewer from Missouri. The campground is reachable via well-maintained county roads from Colcord. Colcord, a nearby town, offers essential amenities like gas, convenience stores, and basic supplies, ensuring campers can easily stock up before heading to the secluded site. While the camp emphasizes a "secluded place to stay," its relative proximity to towns means it's not entirely cut off from modern conveniences. This balance of remote tranquility and practical accessibility makes Highwater Camp an attractive choice for both short getaways and longer stays, especially for groups planning river excursions on the Illinois River.
Highwater Camp is positioned as a campground that provides essential services for a comfortable outdoor experience, especially for groups and float trips. While it embraces a more rustic feel than full-service resorts, it prioritizes safety and guest convenience. Based on customer reviews and common offerings at similar river campgrounds, here’s a list of services you can generally expect:
- Campsites: Designated areas for camping, suitable for large groups as mentioned in reviews. These are likely primitive or semi-primitive, focusing on space and river access.
- Parking for Floaters: The owner is "gracious in allowing us to park there" for float trips, indicating a valuable service for those launching and retrieving kayaks or canoes.
- Restroom Facilities: Currently described as "primitive and limited to port-a-potties," indicating basic but essential sanitation options.
- Owner/Host Presence: Owners are "very passionate about being great hosts & conscientious about safety issues," suggesting active and supportive management on site.
- Trash Disposal: While not explicitly stated, general campground practice dictates designated areas for waste management to maintain cleanliness.
- River Access Point: Providing direct or very close access to the Illinois River for floating and fishing activities.
- Firewood (Likely): Most campgrounds offer firewood for sale or provide designated fire rings, crucial for the camping experience.
It's important for campers to note the primitive nature of the restrooms and plan accordingly for their comfort.
Highwater Camp truly shines with several features and highlights that make it a highly recommended destination, particularly for those passionate about river activities and group outings:
- Beautiful River Site: Consistently praised as having a "beautiful" river site, offering scenic views and a direct connection to the natural beauty of the Illinois River.
- Secluded and Quiet: Described as a "nice secluded place to stay," it’s perfect for those seeking tranquility away from crowded areas, allowing for a genuine outdoor escape.
- Excellent for Groups: One reviewer highlighted it as an "excellent camping experience for our large group," indicating ample space and a suitable environment for gatherings of friends and family.
- Prime Fishing Location: The Illinois River, both upstream and downstream, is noted to "play host to a healthy smallmouth bass population," making it a fantastic spot for anglers. A concrete example of a "large ~4 pound smallmouth" caught here underscores its fishing potential.
- Ideal for Float Trips: Strategically located for popular kayaking routes, with specific mentions of "WOKA to Camp, and Camp to Chewey Bridge" as "great floats for Kayaks," positioning it perfectly for river adventurers.
- Passionate and Conscientious Owners: Reviewers commend the owners for being "very passionate about being great hosts & conscientious about safety issues," ensuring a welcoming, supportive, and secure environment.
- Well-Maintained (Generally): While some "quality-of-life improvements" are noted, the overall sentiment is positive regarding the property, indicating it's a good place for an extended stay.
- Natural Immersion: The focus on primitive camping and river access allows for a true immersion in nature, perfect for disconnecting and enjoying the outdoors.
- Potential for Repeat Visits: The desire to "put together another trip in the fall" from a satisfied customer speaks volumes about the positive experience and the camp's appeal.
As a professional content writer specializing in SEO for local businesses, it's important to state that specific, complex, or publicly advertised promotions or special offers for Highwater Camp are not detailed in the provided customer reviews. Given its focus on providing a "secluded place to stay" and its positive word-of-mouth reputation, its primary "promotion" is the inherent quality of the river access, the group-friendly environment, and the highly praised hospitality of the owners.
However, like many privately run campgrounds that cater to specific activities like float trips and group bookings, there might be less formalized or seasonal considerations that could be discussed upon inquiry, such as:
- Group Discounts: Special rates for large groups booking multiple sites or an extended stay.
- Float Trip Packages: Bundled deals that might include camping and shuttle services for river excursions.
- Off-Season Rates: Reduced pricing during less popular times of the year, although the Illinois River can be enjoyed across multiple seasons.
- Long-Term Stay Options: For those looking to enjoy the area for an extended period beyond a typical weekend.
To inquire about any specific rates, availability, or potential special offers that might apply to your planned visit, prospective campers are highly encouraged to contact Highwater Camp directly using the provided phone numbers. This direct communication is the most reliable way to obtain accurate, up-to-date information and ensure your trip is perfectly planned.
For Oklahomans ready to embark on a memorable river camping adventure at Highwater Camp, direct communication with the owners is the best approach. Here is the essential contact information:
- Address: 468501 E 599 Rd, Colcord, OK 74338, USA
- Phone: (918) 226-1308
- Mobile Phone: +1 918-226-1308
Calling these numbers will connect you with the owners, who, as reviews suggest, are "very passionate about being great hosts" and "extremely friendly and helpful." This direct line will allow you to ask detailed questions about site availability, river conditions (paying attention to "river gages" as advised), specific amenities, group bookings, and any safety guidelines. It’s always advisable to call during typical daytime hours for the quickest and most helpful response. While a visit isn't strictly necessary before booking, particularly for those familiar with the area, experiencing the "beautiful" river site in person can certainly enhance your anticipation for a stay at this unique Oklahoma campground.
In conclusion, Highwater Camp is an exceptionally suitable destination for locals in Oklahoma, especially those with a passion for river activities, fishing, and seeking a secluded outdoor experience. Its prime location on or very near the Illinois River provides unparalleled access for float trips and promises excellent fishing opportunities, making it a significant draw for any Oklahoman who loves the water and angling.
The strong positive reviews, highlighting the "awesome" campgrounds, "beautiful" river site, and the "very passionate" and "conscientious" owners, speak volumes about the quality of the experience. While restroom facilities are primitive, this aligns with the secluded nature of the camp. For Oklahomans looking for a welcoming, private, and activity-rich outdoor escape that caters well to groups, Highwater Camp represents an ideal choice. It’s a place where you can create lasting memories with friends and family, and like other satisfied customers, you'll likely be eager to "put together another trip" to this hidden gem on the Illinois River.
Customer Reviews
We came to float from Missouri and leave our car at their campsite. The owner was more than gracious in allowing us to park there. The campgrounds are awesome and the river site is beautiful. Highly recommend this campground to anyone looking for a nice secluded place to stay.
This was an excellent camping experience for our large group. The property, while needing some quality-of-life improvements, is an excellent place to stay for a long weekend. Bringing friends will only improve your experience. The river, both upstream and downstream plays host to a healthy smallmouth bass population. I caught a ~4 pound smallmouth on Memorial Day Weekend 2024, as well as some smaller fish that were turned into fish tacos. The owners are -very- passionate about being great hosts & conscientious about safety issues. Restroom options are primitive and limited to port-a-potties at this time. We all had a great time. I want to put together another trip in the fall. WOKA to Camp, and Camp to Chewey Bridge are both great floats for Kayaks. Pay attention to river gages.
We spent the weekend out at Highwater Camp and it was awesome! The gravel bar along the river made for a perfect place to explore, relax, and enjoy the river! The river was flowing strong, the smallmouth bass fishing was on fire, and the overall setting was the best there is! We cant wait to come back and camp again!
We organized a kayaking group for Memorial Day Weekend 2024 to be Beta Testers at Highwater Camp before their grand opening. This place is perfect for mid to large size groups that don't mind primitive camping and who want to be right on the river bank. Be warned, there is NO shade on the river bank. There is a shaded clearing adjacent to the river bank's gravel bar. There were 16 in our group and we had plenty of room to spread out along the gravel bar. We were able to set up camp on the gravel bar and had the place to ourselves. There are port-a-johns on the property, but a distance from the river bank camping. There were some picnic tables in the shaded camp area, but we opted to camp on the river. A large trash can was made available for our group and trash was picked up several times during our four day stay. Fires on the gravel bar were easily made and we found wood readily available since we were the first group to use the campground. The camp itself is out in the boonies and IF you trust GPS, you will get there. Signage could be better because I had to have help getting to my group at the river bank. You could tell the owners are diligently working to improve the property for campers. Grass had been freshly mowed and shrubs had been cleared. The property was clean and orderly. Camp host checked on us a few times throughout our stay and did come down to inform us of that we were under a tornado warning. He was friendly and informative without being intrusive. Saturday we launched from camp and took out at Chewy Bridge. It was a pleasant paddle. Our group of 16 had the majority of the river to ourselves. We did encounter 3 small groups along the way. Sunday's paddle was from WOKA Take Out to camp. That day we only saw two other paddlers. We did see plenty of bald eagles, a goat, and a calf near the river. Both days of paddling were easy enough given the amount of water from the rains. We did not encounter any serious obstacles along the way. There is a race track north of the camp on Hwy 412 that can be heard during racing, but it wasn't like having partiers blaring their music ALL night long, as I have experienced at other campgrounds. Once the races and fireworks were done, it was a quiet. The current was too strong for us to play in the river in front of our camp, so I missed that part of relaxing I typically get from other campgrounds. Maybe it will be better when the river isn't so high. Be aware that if it rains significantly in west Arkansas, the river may encroach on the gravel bar and threaten your camp sites. We moved our campfire three times and almost packed it in and left; however, the river resided before we broke down our tents, so we stayed. I thoroughly enjoyed our holiday weekend at Highwater Camp. I encourage anyone looking at reserving the camp to bring a canopy for shade if you plan on camping on the river bank. You may want to bring a pop up potty tent, as well. This space can accommodate a large group, which offsets costs.
Hate to see a 1-star review on their page from someone who didn't stay there. I stayed there with a group Memorial Day Weekend, camped right on the river. Yes, riverside camping is primitive, but that's exactly what I was looking for. The guys running the place were friendly and were working to address any concerns we had. We were able to put in from camp and float down and did another paddle the next day from upstream back to camp. It's great to have a group site all to yourselves. They are new and are working out some minor pain points but I had a much better experience than the over crowded campgrounds south of Chewy Bridge or further upstream. Yes, if you're looking for a heavily developed campground, this isn't the place but really, but that's why I liked it.
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