Horseshoe Bend

Horseshoe Bend Boat Ramp, located near Park Hill in Cherokee County, provides public access to Tenkiller Ferry Lake and the Illinois River in Oklahoma's scenic Ozark Plateau. The facility features a single-lane concrete ramp with limited vehicle parking. From Tahlequah, take Highway 82 southeast for 17.5 miles, then follow signs for Tenkiller and turn right on the paved access road for two miles to reach the site.

The Illinois River is a major waterway with an average flow of 27,210 cubic feet per second and a gentle gradient of 0.3 feet per mile, making it suitable for paddlers of various skill levels. The area is known for dramatic 200-foot limestone bluffs rising from the water, offering scenic paddling and boating opportunities. Popular activities include kayaking, canoeing, boating, fishing, and swimming. Note that gigging and spearing are prohibited downstream of Horseshoe Bend.

For camping and additional amenities, the nearby Cookson Bend Campground (operated by Recreation.gov at 918-487-5252) is a popular base for water recreation in the area. Public-use areas provide easy shoreline access, and private fishing dock concessions are available in nearby Burnt Cabin, Caney Creek, and Tenkiller State Park areas.

Overview
Cookson Bend Campground is a popular area that lies on Tenkiller Ferry Lake, among the Cookson Hills of the Ozark Mountains. Visitors here delight in breathtaking views of 200-foot limestone bluffs rising from the scenic waters.Recreation
Boating, fishing, water skiing, hiking and swimming are among the activities enjoyed by visitors. Scuba divers enjoy the lake's clear waters and high...

Overview
Cookson Bend Campground is a popular area that lies on Tenkiller Ferry Lake, among the Cookson Hills of the Ozark Mountains. Visitors here delight in breathtaking views of 200-foot limestone bluffs rising from the scenic waters.Recreation
Boating, fishing, water skiing, hiking and swimming are among the activities enjoyed by visitors. Scuba divers enjoy the lake's clear waters and high visibility. Ten marinas are located on the lake. Most offer boat and jet-ski rentals, and several have floating restaurants. Fishing is good for black bass, white bass, striped bass, crappie and catfish. The trout stream below the dam is one of only two year-round trout fisheries in Oklahoma, and is regularly stocked with rainbow trout. Hunting is also permitted in parts of the lake area, in accordance with state laws.Facilities
The campground has sites with electric hookups, and some sites are non-electric. The group picnic shelters have electricity and are reservable. The park has waterborne restrooms with hot showers, drinking water, a dump station, swim beach, playground, and boat ramps. A marina with concessions is adjacent to the campground.Natural Features
Tenkiller Ferry Lake is often referred to as Oklahoma's clear water paradise. The 12,500-acre lake is sourced by the Illinois River and the Baron Fork, which are both designated as Oklahoma Scenic Rivers. Located in the northeastern part of the state, the region is known as Green Country, with surroundings of dense Oak-Hickory forests, tall bluffs, and rolling hills.
Tenkiller boasts 130 miles of shoreline with plenty of wildlife such as deer and turkey. It also serves as one of the flyways of migratory birds, including bald eagles, common loons, and white pelicans.
Nearby Attractions
Visit the Tenkiller State Park for its nature center and scuba diving park, the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge near Vian, or the historic city of Tahlequah - the capitol of the Cherokee Nation. The scenic upper Illinois River near Tahlequah is great for canoeing and rafting, and the lower Illinois near Gore offers prime trout fishing.

Read More Read Less