The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission gathered with its conservation partners in Siloam Springs last Friday to celebrate the official opening of the Upper Illinois River Water Trail, the first Arkansas Water Trail in Northwest Arkansas.
In addition to being the first Arkansas Water Trail in this corner of the state, the Upper Illinois River Water Trail is the first in the AGFC’s list to span two states. It begins at Chamber Springs Access near Pedro, and continues through Siloam Springs Kayak Park, eventually ending at WOKA Whitewater Park in Oklahoma. The entire trail is 15.5 miles long, but is split near its midpoint at the kayak park, where the dedication took place.
“The trail features two separate sets of rapids at the whitewater parks, but floaters shouldn’t be intimidated,” Kirsten Bartlow, AGFC Watchable Wildlife Program coordinator, said. “You can easily carry your canoe or kayak around the Siloam Springs Kayak Park, and you can take out before you get to the whitewater park in Oklahoma. With those two exceptions, it’s a fairly gentle Ozark stream with pools and riffles.”…