Eagle Fork Creek in Oklahoma

Trip Overview

April 1st was a fantastic day to enjoy a rare 76 degree sunny day with perfect flows on this eastern Oklahoma stream called Eagle Fork Creek.

Recent rains are necessary to raise the flows and the Upper Mountain Fork River which the "Eagle" flows into near Smithville was running near flood stage at 2000 cfs. The "Eagle" was probably running about 600cfs just judging by my experience.

Getting to the put-in which is about 4 miles down a dirt road off HWY 259 will give you about 5.5 miles of wonderful class 2 and a couple class 3 drops. There were some tight twisty drops and some wide shoal-type ledge drops.

Water was beautiful milky-aqua color common to this area. This is a remote area where rescue would be difficult because the road is not near the river.

The takeout can be made after the "Eagle" runs into the Upper Mountain Fork River at several spots along HWY 259. I actually paddled another 5 more miles down the Mountain Fork to the popular Low-water bridge area.

The 2000 cfs on the Upper Mountain Fork had its color very muddy brown and BIG standing waves and a couple BIG ledge rapids.

Accommodations:

Very little commerce in the area but campgrounds and state parks are plentiful about 40 miles south near Broken Bow and Beavers Bend.

Fees:

None

Directions:

On HWY 259 where HWY4 connects towards Smithville, go north about .8 miles and a good gravel road goes west (left). Called road # 62030 and it eventually gets you to the river in about 4 miles.

Resources:

Book: "Rivers and Rapids" by Ben Nolen and Bob Narramore