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The direct drive from Tulsa to Tahlequah is short enough for a day trip: our getting-here guide lists Tulsa as about an hour away. Your actual travel time depends on where you start, traffic and the route you choose, so check navigation from your own address before leaving. But getting here quickly is not the only way to make the trip. Give yourself two days for a scenic arrival, an afternoon of Cherokee history, dinner without the drive home hanging over it, and a Sunday beside Lake Tenkiller. This itinerary uses Tahlequah as your overnight base. Saturday brings you in… Keep Reading
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A campsite on the Illinois River can run five dollars a person. A cabin can run a hundred and ninety a night. Those numbers sound like an easy decision until you put four people, a weekend and a rainstorm into the math. Here is what camping and cabins actually cost along Highway 10 northeast of Tahlequah, Oklahoma, drawn from what the properties and the Grand River Dam Authority publish themselves. Everything below is about the Illinois River in Cherokee County, Oklahoma — the Class I–II float corridor along Highway 10, not the river of the same name in the state… Keep Reading
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The Illinois River runs about 70 miles from the Arkansas line to Lake Tenkiller, and nearly every cabin on it sits along one stretch of Highway 10 northeast of Tahlequah, in Cherokee County, Oklahoma. Which one you book comes down to three things: how far you are from the put-in you want, how many beds you need, and whether the float comes with the room. This guide lists every riverfront property in the corridor in the order you would pass them going downstream, using river miles from the Grand River Dam Authority’s official map. For each one you get the… Keep Reading
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The family escape no one saw coming. Plan your Family Weekend View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kristen | Family Adventure Travel | Midwest & Beyond (@midwesttravelmama) When Kristen Keeler — the travel writer behind Midwest Travel Mama — mapped out a long weekend in Tahlequah and Cherokee County, she was solving a specific problem: how to give her three kids real outdoor time without spending most of it strapped into car seats. Her answer was a three-day itinerary anchored at one property on the Illinois River, with drives to the next activity capped at about 45… Keep Reading
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The beauty of Lake Tenkiller is not lost on those of us that promote the area for a living, but we are not the only people noticing the beauty of the area. Insider Magazine ranked Lake Tenkiller number 11 on their list of Most Beautiful Lakes in the United States. Being included on a list of top lakes like Jenny Lake in Wyoming and Flathead Lake in Montana is an honor in its-self. However, we are very honored that a national publication enjoyed our little slice of heaven enough to include us in their list. Read on to see some… Keep Reading
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In the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, near the little town of Tahlequah, Oklahoma lies an abundance of cabins, cottages, and bungalows that are almost too quaint to believe. The lodging options in Cherokee County are extremely diverse ranging from converted burger joint bungalows to rustic cabins in the woods and everything in between. Check out a few unique and charming Air BnB’s from the Tahlequah area. Spring Street Hideaway Downtown Tahlequah In the same building as the iconic Dari Barn restaurant that was built in the 60’s rests a beautiful and modern bungalow with historic charm and all of… Keep Reading
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Cherokee County, OK is the perfect place to host your large groups. There is something for everyone in your group whether you’re looking to float underneath the bluffs along the Illinois River, take the boat out on Lake Tenkiller, learn about Cherokee culture, shop in Downtown Tahlequah or simply enjoy the beaty of the Ozark Foothills. Check out our top 5 picks for your next vacation! Illinois River Area Tate Ranch House The Tate Ranch House is a lodge style cabin that sleeps 16 people comfortably with all of the amenities you need. The house has gorgeous views, a full… Keep Reading
