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Oklahoma Area Float Trip Photo Gallery

Most Oklahoma folks take their first float trip in a canoe on the Illinois River near Tahlequah, Oklahoma.  However, there many other great spots to paddle your canoe or kayak around in the Sooner State and our neighbor states in the Ozarks.  You can see a few of our pictures here from our family paddling trips around Oklahoma.  If you have been thinking of buying or renting a kayak, you can find helpful float trip planning information on the OklahomaRoadTrips.com pages that are specific to the rivers mentioned here. Rivers are listed in the left-hand column of this web page.

The Deep Fork River Bridge near Nuyaka Creek Winery in Nuyaka, OK.	Kayaking the Deep Fork River flood waters at DFWR's White Oak Area.	The Buffalo National River near Jasper, AR	Clovis Point on Dripping Spring Lake near Okmulgee, OK.	Cypress trees on the Lower Mt. Fork River near Broken Bow, OK.
Low Water Dam on The Kiamichi River near Antlers, OK.	K-River Campground offers the only canoe outfitter on the Kiamichi River. Get your river level info and kayak shuttle service here.	The Re-Regulation Dam, popular campsite on the Lower Mt. Fork River.	Just past the 3-foot waterfall makes a great spot to photograph kayakers on the Lower Mt. Fork River.	Taken while kayaking the North Canadian River near Pierce, OK.
The Kings River in Eureka Springs, AR is a great spot for canoe trips, close to Oklahoma.	The Elephant Rock is one of the most famous landmarks on Oklahoma's Illinois River near Tahlequah, OK.	I love kayaking on the North Canadian River near Pierce, OK. This Lake Eufaula backwater area rarely dries up.	When paddling Lake Eufaula consider visiting the pine dotted southern regions of the lake such as Hickory Point.	Dripping Springs Lake near Okmulgee, OK is a perfect location for sunset chasing via kayak. My Flickr account is filled with examples like this one.
Bixhoma Lake - A low wake town lake south of Tulsa, great kayak fishing!	Table Rock Lake offers heavenly flatwater kayaking, we paddled it near Flat Creek in Cape Fair, Missouri.	Recreational kayaking - great fun that is great for your health.	No engines allowed on Beggs Lake, right off Hwy 75 & Hwy 16 intersection. Enjoy quiet kayaking and no usage fees.	Dianne and I had some wild whitewater fun can be had near Ozark, Arkansas on the Mulberry River!

 

 

Upper Mountain Fork River - Canoe Country

We love to take weekend trips to Southeastern, Oklahoma's Upper Mountain Fork River area. The Upper Mt. Fork River is clear and rocky. During the Spring rainy season, the river offers thrilling  whitewater action off and on all the way down to Broken Bow Lake.  We enjoyed a secluded slice of this scenic river in the summer of 2009.  The water level was still high enough to enjoy some paddling as you can see from the pictures here.  Click on the collage to see a larger version of the shots from our trip to River Ranch Cabin in Smithville, Oklahoma. Check out our Kayak Oklahoma Blog for my Upper Mt. Fork River trip report.

If you paddle the Upper Mt. Fork River be sure to watch out for the 6 foot waterfall!

Paddling Oklahoma Rivers & Lakes

Most Oklahoma rivers and lakes welcome kayakers that obey the regulations.  You canoe or kayak WILL need a current Boat Sticker from your local Tag Agent.  They are not expensive, but they do require you to show your Manufactures' Certificate of Origin, so make sure to get one when you buy a kayak or canoe. You will also need to paint or buy your boat numbers on both sides of your boat.

Our favorite Oklahoma kayaking location is the Lower Mt. Fork River in Broken Bow, Oklahoma.  The Class II whitewater runs all summer long in Broken Bow thanks to a local hydroelectric dam. In addition to the plentiful amounts of cold, clear water, I also enjoy the Cypress Trees and Spanish Moss you see on the LMF River. Expect to see loads of fly fishing enthusiasts visiting from Texas when you paddle this kayaker paradise on the borders of Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. For even more impressive Cypress trees to photograph, I highly recommend the shady bayous of Caddo Lake in NE Texas.  See our Kayak Texas page for Caddo Lake outfitter and lodging info.

Tips for Taking Kayak Photos on the Water

Caddo Lake bayou in Northeastern Texas

Our family loves to get out on the water with our cameras.  Sunsets and sunrises offer more color and beautiful to those lucky enough to see them at water level from the seat of a kayak. However, you need to take some precautions to make sure the camera you take on the water, doesn't end up IN THE WATER. I sunk one in the North Canadian River, it hurts.

• Wear quick drying clothes, but carry some cotton to clean water droplets off the lens.
• Makes sure you have a good Dry Bag to store your camera in during rain showers and rough waters.
• Tie your camera bag / dry bags to the boat so you don't lose them if you capsize.
• When possible keep the sun behind you and the light on your subject.
• Always grab a few silhouette shots when the sun is low in the sky.
• Don't forget the group shot before and after your trip.
• If an unsteady boat is blurring your shots, try using the self-timer or set your camera for 'Sports'.
• Many digital cameras these days are waterproof or offer waterproof camera housings.
• Check out our Kayak Photography page to learn more!
• Choose a stable recreational kayak with plenty of cockpit room for a tripod. I like the Old Town Vapor 12 kayak.

Kayaking on Table Rock Lake

Oklahoma Arbuckles Attractions

Kansas Kayaking

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