Sparrowhawk Camp, Tahlequah

Sparrow hawk camp used to be a wonderful place before scott zumwalt (R.I.P) passed away. now the place is a dump. the bathrooms are nasty and the place looks like a dump. also the owners are very rude. I do not care for this camp site the only camp site that i have so far seen to be a good place to camp and float is elephant rock nature park. I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO SPARROW HAWK!!!!

Let me start off by saying I have been to the river over 20 times and have floated 13 miles every time at Eagles Bluff (highly recommended). We wanted to try some place new, and we wanted to do the 13 mile because we have done it plenty of times before in under 8 hours. Everyone was friendly and great...at first. Got on the bus, and sat there in the heat for 45 minutes. Finally got down to the drop off and they told us all we would probably have to end at the 6 mile because we would have to be there by 3. This was 11 am. After getting cuts, bruised, and even having a member having to go to the hospital after this trip, we had not made it to the half way point...at 8 pm. So we had to stop and find a phone after walking some random road for a mile and a half. It was light out when we called. At first they told us we were right by the 13 mile point then once the manager got there the story changed to right by the 6 mile point. The story kept changing. After we waited an hour for a ride (which was supposedly half a mile up the street) we finally got a ride back to camp, where they informed me I owed them $100 because of being out after dark. I came from 4 hours out of town, I did not have that kind of money on me. We offered everything. To pay them when we got home, to let my mother pay over the phone, everything. They absolutely refused. They left a member of my party sitting out front with his left swollen to 5X the original size, girls just crying and everyone dehydrated and hungry for 2 hours outside their office while they treated us horribly. One of the security officers kept coming outside literally screaming and yelling at us calling us liars. This was the absolute worst experience I have ever had anywhere. I will never be going to the Illinois river again because of this establishment and I will be taking legal action.

The bathrooms and showers are super clean and the camp site laid out in a very easy way. Very kid appropriate this was the 4th time we've gone this year. Staff is nice and cannot help that at times river us low but if you ask they will suggest the proper vessel to float with. Personally canoes are our families favorite way. Can't wait till spring to go back!!

this was my first time tubing and probably my last. the staff failed to mention that the river was low and probably not a good idea to tube that day. one minute we were tubing along and the next we have to get up to walk and carry our tubes because the water was just a few inches deep. i came back with cuts and bruises because i would slip on the rocks when i had to carry my tube. certain parts of the river was barely flowing so half the time i had to paddle with my arms just to get the tube to move. i also like to suggest they put some lighting out there by the river. we got lost from our group and it was very late when we finally made it back, we couldn't see the bank so we had to go by peoples voices and their flashlights that were camped out by the bank. i am very disappointed with the experience we had. i would not recommend first timers to go tubing on this river. we feel like we paid to get tortured

I want to say thank u guys owners and employees, u all are so great. we had such a great time , and plan on coming back in July @ August we also want to thank the campers we had karaoke and invited the the campers and they had so much fun , i have gone to Sparrowhawk camp for 28 years and never want to leave and i sure cant wait to go back, Teresa and Missy are so great and Shane u know who i am talking about u are so funny we cant wait to see u and Missy again, I just cant say enough about this place its so great , they treat everyone like family , So thank u again for having my party of friends and family see u soon. Delilah Blevins

It was family friendly, and reasonably priced. The main bath house was fine, but the smaller ones near our camp were really not good, and I'm no prima donna... Nice grounds, and good spot to swim. Float was reasonable, too. We came off the river at their spot, and we right there at our camp. One great thing: we decided to buy some items at the grocery (mom and pop place) and the prices were actually great for what we were expecting. I would definitely go again, but would stay in a spot closer to the main bath...

This was a good place to go I have been there a few times. The service was great and it was out of the way but close enough to the town to go do things. The service was great a real mom and pop type of place it has alot of things to do that are simple like inground trampolines and rolling logs. It's not much but it's enough not like Noel Missouri. I have only camped in the bunkhouse and they are great for what they are for. It's rustic but it gets the job done. I love going there and I am going back soon

Have been to sparrowhawk several times over the past two years. Best thing is it is family friendly. At other places on the river we have had to put up the loud drinkers. Sparrowhawk is also a great place if you have your own kiyaks. fees are very good for taking us upstream and allowing me to keep my car at their camp even if we are not staying the night. I will not go anywhere else on this river.

The camp grounds are beautiful, and the camping spot we had was right on the river. Overall a very good experience, but the bath house was not clean. The people were friendly and helpful with our group for the float trips. There is a nice swimming area in the river right at the camp. The prices were reasonable.