Kayak Camping - The Lower Mountain Fork River 4K
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 ต.ค. 2024
- Our first adventure down The Lower Mountain Fork River. While we planned for a 3-day, 2-night trip the river was FLOWING and we knocked it out in a little over 24 hours. This trip consisted of the most aggressive rapids we have seen thus far which was fun but the camping was limited. We traveled miles before finding a spot to camp because most of the land was private property and you have to be careful camping on the shoals because of the raising water levels.
The Lower Mountain Fork River is a short, but very exciting, whitewater/flatwater run that is probably the most consistently flowing and best whitewater stream in Oklahoma, a state not particularly noted for whitewater rivers. Its location in southeastern Oklahoma makes it accessible to paddlers from North Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas, as well as Oklahoma.
Starting below Reregulation Dam, the river is more technical than "big", with several respectable Class I-II rapids within the first two miles of the put-in. The downside to this trip is that most the rapids are in that first two miles. The upside is that you can get your boat back to the top and run it again - several times in a day, if so desired. Or, you can run on down the flatwater stretch to the take-out at Ashalintubbi below the confluence of the Little River. From Re-regulation Dam at Mountain Fork Park the river flows about 12.5 miles to the Little River confluence along the northern boundary of Ouachita National Forest. While several outfitters have private access points below the US Highway 70 bridge the next public access point is Ashalintubbi on the Little River at about 16.6 miles, then the Arkansas State Highway 41 bridge near Horatio at about 27.8 miles, then the US 59/79 bridge below the Cossatot River confluence at about 58.9 miles.
Paddlers will find occasional small riffles along the river, and summers will bring out significant numbers of paddlers as well as fishermen looking for trout, walleye and other species of fish. Mountain Fork Park, located immediately below Reregulation Dam on river right, is a great campsite with reasonable fees that range from $8-$15 per site per night, depending upon features and amenities. Water and electricity are available in some campsites. Both public and private access points are available between Reregulaton dam and Ashalintubbi though public access is limited to the US Highway 70 bridge between Broken Bow and Eagletown, and the Arkansas SH 47 bridge south of Horatio.
Many trees line the natural and undeveloped banks of the river along its entire reach, and bald cypress trees will be found growing on rock islands in the middle of the river, as well as along the banks. Just below the US Highway 70 bridge a railroad trestle bridge crosses the river and represents about the last sign of civilization paddlers will see going downriver until a few riverside houses start making their appearances above and below the Little River confluence. Visitors will enjoy canoeing, kayaking, tubing, camping, swimming and fishing this Ouachita National Forest stream which flows very near the Arkansas State Line. The Lower Mountain Fork is a very scenic river with verdant banks from spring through late fall.
CREDIT: southwestpaddle...
Thank you for finding places that are nearby. Still have not purchased yet.
You bet, Chris! Happy Fourth of July!!
Excellent video and what a unique river. Added to the list!
Thanks brother!
I live 5 miles from this river. Would love to float with you this coming spring.
Your vids are GREAT 😆
Thanks, Anne!
Awesome vidoe! Do you know what the flow rate was? Also do you know of any outfitters that go farther than the 5 or 8 miles just on the MT Fork?
Thank you! I don’t I’m sorry.
Have a pungo and I might get a sunscreen cover to help minimize water getting in I enjoy being on lakes when their is whitcaps and yeah slpashes over alot
Hi, thanks for the video
Did you use a shuttle service? or just utilize your vehicles at take-in/take-out?
Appreciate it
We used our own vehicles but the short paddle and shuttle service might be worth it
Great video!! How much water was being released on this trip? So is this section ( the lower) is where everyone trout fishes? Keep the videos a coming!
I don’t know how much water was being released and I believe so.
Looks like it was a blast Brett!!!!! But being brand new to kayaking, I am not ready for that much action yet.... so I will stay on the Brazos for a little longer!!!!! - Ha ha ! Its also just 20 minutes from my house, so that helps. Hey man, I love your videos! They inspire me. I am finally going out on my brand new Pungo 125 in a couple weeks... hope the Brazos has a decent flow at the time. By the way, it looks like you didn't need to haul that PVC tube / shitter like you did on the Rio Grande... That's always a good thing (I bet)!!! ha ha ! Again, thank you Brett.
I’m glad you find inspiration from my videos, Gene! The whole reason I make them are to share my experiences and encourage others to get out. We only needed the poop tube for the National park hahahaha. You’re going to love your Pungo!
New sub! Liked 🙏😁😀😄
How did you tip over, looked like you had it whipped?😆
I tried to look back over my left shoulder lol
Enjoyed all of it.
I have a Pungo 120 aswell
And Enjoy it
Thanks for watching!!
How that boat handle in that
A bit wobbly for sure. It’s thinner which tracks nicely but a bit tippy in rapids
Man this was an awesome video. Man your kayak took on some water in those Rapids man. But that is awesome to see how well it handled it because I am looking to purchase the same type kayak that you have for kayak camping. I have the sit on top tarpon right now because when I was looking for my first kayak I wanted a sit inside but my feet were very very extremely wide & my foot got stuck in the sit inside kayak & they almost called 911 to have them to come out and cut my foot out of a brand new kayak which was very very embarrassing so I had to go with a sit on top. I have lost a lot of weight since then and my foot has shrunken some so I'm trying to purchase a Pungo kayak. Question buddy have you had any problems with the kayaks since you had it? Look like a very awesome time man I enjoyed watching this video. I hope you and your family are having a good 4th of July holiday & be safe lighting off the fireworks. Good video thank you for sharing it.
Thanks for taking us along. Just finished over coffee.
Great video!
Where did you take out?
Ashlintubbi Road. There’s a public access boat ramp that we left a vehicle at. It’s just past the Little River confluence on the left.
@@Docholiday1102 thanks for the reply. I made that same trip back in July 2009 I'm a canoe. Water was pretty low then. Your video brought back some great memories.
I have a Pungo too and love it! Great videos, as always. What bags do you use for it though? Thanks!
Just some different size dry bags
Love the drone footage
How do you like that kayak? Always fun trying to find a campsite at dark!
What a great time
An adventure for sure! I love my Pungo!!
Great video, best one yet!