Need Info on Mountain Fork River

[daxhaltom]

I am thinking about doing a canoeing/ kayaking/ camping trip the Tuesday and Wednesday after next. I have recently moved to Texarkana and have been reading about the Mountain Fork River in OK. Just curious if anyone has camped at thecampground that is close to the rereugulation dam. It looks like that will be the best place to set up shop. I would appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks for any help you can give me.

[Jim E]

PM me what you want to know. Be aware that the Lower Mountain Fork is a hydro-electric project and the river levels can change at a moments notice.

[wgonfan]

I'm from Texarkana also and we go there often. Been going for years (its not what it use to be). We normally just take day trips but we have camped a few times. Its a fun float and at normal flow its plenty safe for all. But like what was mentioned above, the water level can and will change so depending on your skill and what you are looking for you may have to avoid the river in the evenings when the flow is typically at its highest. The campsites at the rereg aren't bad, but only a few sites have electricity & the bathrooms are vaults. Also, every time I have camped there it seems to get very hot and humid in the evenings with little to no breeze. I would rather camp at beavers bends and just drive to LMF to launch. Do you have your own gear or will you be renting?


btw,going during the week when it is less crowded is a good idea.

[daxhaltom]

I have my own gear. I have a friend who will be meeting me from Fayetteville. Thought i might take my canoe and maybe do a day float with it and then maybe try to run it again in our kayaks later on that day or the next. how far is the shuttle from beavers bend campground??

[wgonfan]

I'm not sure how far it is but it seems like it takes 20-30 mins to the re-reg (put-in) from beavers bend and probably like 30-40mins to Presbyterian Falls (take out). I think if you travel back roads its about 10miles to the re-reg, but I don't know that route. If you are going to run it several times then the re-reg campground is your best bet, easier shuttles and there is a little "playspot" by the campground that requires no shuttling. Your receipt from the re-reg campground use to grant you access to the showers and whatnot at beavers bend; since the county took over the re-reg campground I'm not sure that they still allow you to use the beavers bends facilities... but we still do.

Have fun!

[Jim E]

You'll want to float from Re-reg to the Hwy 70 bridge, about 3 miles. Nothing worth the trouble downriver from there. The best water is at the Pres. Falls area so we usually just park n play instead of running the whole thing. There is primitive camping available at the falls (no charge) but you have to park and carry stuff in. And, during the Summer, its not really a "family" type of area. Also, its all dirt roads getting in there but I can send you a map if you like. Definantly avoid holiday weekends when camping. Beavers Bend is a nice campground but very popular during the Summer making RV sites hard to come by. Tent camping areas can be had but look in areas E, G and H. Pit toilets, but you can use the nicer facilities found in the RV areas. Generation there has been slim there lately. Only been enough water (for us anyway) to paddle one weekend over the last several. Lots of rentals. There is at least 7 liveries there now. A male in his twenties drowned there this past weekend. No pfd and I would guess alcohol was involved as there was very low water.

[Jim Krueger]

Dax,

I've yet to float in this area, but JimE has the most experience here as anyone I know of. Have a pleasant float!


Best Regards
Jim Moose

[daxhaltom]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I would like that map to the primative camping area if you wouldnt mind sending it to me. I prefer to not camp in public campgrounds if i dont have too. I didnt know there was anything like that available. How far would we have to hike our gear in, and would it be possible to float it down in my canoe? I did read about the death there. That is unfortunate. i appreciate the help. Dax

[Jim E]

Check your PM