Sharing our kayaking photos on Flickr has been a
wonderful experience. The feedback we have gotten from our Flickr
Contacts has improved
our
kayak photography immensely.
Kayaks for Oklahoma
Dianne paddles a Heritage Angler 9.5 we bought a Academy Sports in
Tulsa. We a big fans of
Heritage Kayaks.
Although we only kayak fish occasionally, Dianne has really enjoyed
the added stability and storage space that a kayak rigged for fishing
offers.
The old Perception Swifty 9.5 foot kayak that Tom
paddles has been discontinued by
Perception Kayaks.
After several years of paddling Oklahoma's rivers lakes
and creek, both boats are still performing well, but we are looking into
upgrades.
My wife Dianne and I love paddling our kayaks in the rivers and lakes of Oklahoma. However, it can be quite a bit of work planning and executing successful boating trips. Even for
tame-water-paddlers like us, getting the right info at the right time can be difficult. You have to know what bodies of water are worth paddling, know where to find the put-ins and take-outs,
monitor the river levels,
arrange shuttle services and find
camping spots or other local lodging resources.
On this site we try to help our fellow canoeing fans find
the information they need. Can't find any kayaks for
rent where you live? We can help you
buy a kayak.
Sometimes, we even leave Oklahoma to paddle in
Arkansas,
Missouri or
Texas.
I can't help you perfect your Eskimo Roll, but I hope to share with
you some ways to enjoy Oklahoma life.
Most years in
Oklahoma you will find there are some sunny 60 degree days ...even during the winter. For winter paddling, Dianne
and I look for sheltered waters you won't find on many tourist maps.
You can find them listed on our
Oklahoma paddling blog and leave us
your comments and tips as well. Get in on the discussion, maybe you
will meet some other local kayakers.
For our family, kayaking is quickly changing from a hobby to more of a lifestyle. Since we have to manage quite a bit of Oklahoma kayaker resources, I thought it would be handy to have the whole thing on the web and maybe some other folks could benefit as well.
Expect us to post campground reviews, trip reports, Oklahoma paddling photos and news about great outdoor fun happening all over the Ozarks. Although we live in NE Oklahoma, we love to visit our Ozark neighbors and we occasionally even stray into Texas.
This site is authored by paddlers and for
paddlers. We provide location information for Oklahoma kayaking and canoe
enthusiasts, camping spot reviews, river reports, kayak
launches, outfitters lists and more.
There are six eastern Oklahoma rivers covered by the
Oklahoma Scenic Rivers
Commission: The Barren Fork River,
the Illinois River, Flint
Creek, Lee Creek, Little Lee Creek and the Upper Mountain Fork
River.
We also frequent the paddling spots not listed on the
official records as scenic...but we like them. I think the Lower Mt
Fork River provides the finest canvas for scenic nature photography
that any pixel hound could ask for. We also enjoy paddling some of
Oklahoma's lakes and reservoirs.
Let us know which Oklahoma rivers and creeks you enjoy
paddling by leaving a comment on our blog. We
own an RV lot on the
North Canadian River a few miles upriver from
Lake Eufaula, so expect to see plenty of pictures from our kayak
trips on that river.
Blue Hole Canoe Floats is closing!
We
recently floated The Spring River and the outfitter told
us that this summer will be the last for his canoe livery.
Local paddling events, information and
contacts. Meet the outfitters in the Ozarks, if you learn
about local river conditions, new canoes and kayaks on the
market or kayak fishing techniques...leave a comment on our
blog!
The Army Core of Engineers operates
loads of great Oklahoma camping sites including both
First-Come-First-Served camping sites and other campsites
that you can reserve online.
Got some trip advice...email
us or drop a comment in on our
blog! Got a specific Oklahoma float trip destination in
mind? We detailed pages on many Oklahoma waterways.
Most Okies float the Illinois River, but that is only the
beginning of great canoeing spots in the Sooner State.
"Everyone must believe in something. I believe
I'll go canoeing" -- Henry David Thoreau
"The movement of a canoe is like a reed in the
wind. Silence is part of it, and the sounds of lapping water, bird
songs, and wind in the trees. It is part of the medium through which
it floats, the sky, the water, the shores….
There is magic in the feel of a paddle and the
movement of a canoe, a magic compounded of distance, adventure,
solitude, and peace. The way of a canoe is the way of the
wilderness, and of a freedom almost forgotten.
It is an antidote to insecurity, the open door to
waterways of ages past and a way of life with profound and abiding
satisfactions. When a man is part of his canoe, he is part of all
that canoes have ever known." –SIGURD F. OLSON, The Singing Wilderness, 1956
How To Register Your Oklahoma Canoe or
Kayak
Registering canoes and kayaks in Oklahoma is
a painful, if not particularly costly process. I don't
claim to understand it, but I can point you in the right
direction. The OKC Outdoor Network keeps a very
helpful page on the subject here:
http://www.okcoutdoornetwork.org/03_register_canoe-kayak.htm
Your local lakes and river may have additional
permit requirements that go beyond state boat stickers and
boat registration numbers.