As the first lock and dam structure constructed on the Verdigris River, Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam is a premier recreation destination within the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System. Located about four miles north of Muskogee in Oklahoma along US Highway 69, this US Army Corps of Engineers park offers hidden wonders and sightseeing opportunities for visitors and vacationers.
At this river park, you can enjoy boating activities on the river; fish for bass, catfish, crappie, bream, and many more fish species; hunt for game such as waterfowl, squirrels, and rabbits in the public hunting areas; and watch birds and wildlife. Nature observation opportunities also abound in this COE park. One peculiar feature of this park is the way the flora in the park decorates its corridors in summer, spring, winter, and fall. If you’re adventurous, you can check out the neighboring communities and towns for plenty of sights to see, or even take a short trip to any of Sequoyah State Park or Sequoyah Bay State Park.
Tent and RV camping options are both available at this Army COE park, with campsites equipped with electric and water hookups plus a dump station, showers, and boat ramps.
Arkansas River - Chouteau Lock and Dam is located north of Muskogee about four miles north of Muskogee along US Highway 69, and is easily accessible by RVs, trailers, and other motorized vehicles. There are no driving restrictions within the park. Vacationers without RVs and trailers can get one just northeast of this COE park at Sequoyah State Park.
There are parking spaces available for campers and visitors at Chouteau Lock and Dam. The campgrounds have parking lots and vehicle and RV/trailer parking is only allowed in designated parking spaces. Overnight parking is also available.
There are no direct public transportation services to Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam.
Tullahassee Loop is a pet-friendly campground that features 14 campsites that are available on first-come first-served basis. These campsites can accommodate tents and RVs up to 30 feet. There are no hookup options available in the campground, however, amenities such as dump station, picnic tables, and boat ramps are available.
Boating is a common recreational activity at this campground.
Afton Landing Campground is a 22-campsite campground in Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam open year-round and available on first-come, first-served basis only. The campground can accommodate RVs and tents and feature electric and water hookups for RVs.
This campground offers excellent wildlife viewing and fishing opportunities. Amenities available include showers, dump station, picnic sites, boat ramps, and playground.
RV length limit at the campground is 30 feet.
Afton Landing Campground is a 22-campsite campground in Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam open year-round and available on first-come, first-served basis only. The campground can accommodate RVs and tents and feature electric and water hookups for RVs.
This campground offers excellent wildlife viewing and fishing opportunities. Amenities available include showers, dump station, picnic sites, boat ramps, and playground.
RV length limit at the campground is 30 feet.
Tullahassee Loop is a pet-friendly campground that features 14 campsites that are available on first-come first-served basis. These campsites can accommodate tents and RVs up to 30 feet. There are no hookup options available in the campground, however, amenities such as dump station, picnic tables, and boat ramps are available.
Boating is a common recreational activity at this campground.
There are plenty of places to visit when enjoying a vacation or exploring Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam as a visitor. There’s a small visitor center ideal to begin exploring the park. A viewing area is also available where you can enjoy vantage point views of the lock and watch commercial tugboat captains navigate barges through the locking chamber.
In addition, nearby communities offer great sights and feature parks, performance arts, festivals, museums, and many more interesting spectacles.
There are plenty of wildlife and bird species that live within the lands around Chouteau which are commonly seen by RV campers and visitors at Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam. The diverse bird population in the park provides opportunities for avian enthusiasts to watch and take photographs. A set of binoculars and guide book is an added incentive. If you visit the park in winter, you’ll see bald eagles nesting within the park’s areas.
Despite the government boundary along the navigation channel in this river park being narrow, there are opportunities to hunt for many game species at Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam. Hunting enthusiasts will find waterfowl, squirrels, rabbits, and white-tailed deer in the public hunting lands that are available along the channel in the park. Public use areas within this park are closed to hunting, and enthusiasts are required to abide by Federal and State Hunting Regulations. Hunting licenses are required.
Despite the government boundary along the navigation channel in this river park being narrow, there are opportunities to hunt for many game species at Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam. Hunting enthusiasts will find waterfowl, squirrels, rabbits, and white-tailed deer in the public hunting lands that are available along the channel in the park. Public use areas within this park are closed to hunting, and enthusiasts are required to abide by Federal and State Hunting Regulations. Hunting licenses are required.
There are plenty of wildlife and bird species that live within the lands around Chouteau which are commonly seen by RV campers and visitors at Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam. The diverse bird population in the park provides opportunities for avian enthusiasts to watch and take photographs. A set of binoculars and guide book is an added incentive. If you visit the park in winter, you’ll see bald eagles nesting within the park’s areas.
There are plenty of places to visit when enjoying a vacation or exploring Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam as a visitor. There’s a small visitor center ideal to begin exploring the park. A viewing area is also available where you can enjoy vantage point views of the lock and watch commercial tugboat captains navigate barges through the locking chamber.
In addition, nearby communities offer great sights and feature parks, performance arts, festivals, museums, and many more interesting spectacles.
Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam is decorated by resplendent vegetation that makes the park a nature lover’s paradise. A visit to the park in spring offers campers and visitors the chance to see the pink colors of redbuds and the crispy white displays of the dogwood trees that bring life to the park. Vibrant oak trees, hickory, hackberry, pecan, and many other trees further enhance the park’s splendor in summer as numerous wildflowers dot the park’s landscapes. In winter, the bare branches create a lovely sight when viewed against the sky’s backdrop.
Fishing is a popular activity at Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam, and the park is a well-known destination for bass fishing. Other fish species that are commonly found in this US Army COE park include largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, crappie, and sunfish. In addition to these, flathead catfish, buffalo, carp, and bream are also often caught in the river by anglers. You can fish from the shore of the river or from boats in the cutoff areas and feeder creeks.
There are three public boat ramps available for boating enthusiasts to explore the river in this park. Boaters are required to head their boats directly for the lock in the park and not the spillway section. The use of life jackets is mandatory. The lockage in the park is available all-day for RV campers and visitors who come along with their vessels and watercraft to the park. However, at certain times when traffic is heavy, boaters may have to wait a few hours before being able to use the lockage.
There are three public boat ramps available for boating enthusiasts to explore the river in this park. Boaters are required to head their boats directly for the lock in the park and not the spillway section. The use of life jackets is mandatory. The lockage in the park is available all-day for RV campers and visitors who come along with their vessels and watercraft to the park. However, at certain times when traffic is heavy, boaters may have to wait a few hours before being able to use the lockage.
Fishing is a popular activity at Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam, and the park is a well-known destination for bass fishing. Other fish species that are commonly found in this US Army COE park include largemouth bass, striped bass, channel catfish, crappie, and sunfish. In addition to these, flathead catfish, buffalo, carp, and bream are also often caught in the river by anglers. You can fish from the shore of the river or from boats in the cutoff areas and feeder creeks.
Arkansas River – Chouteau Lock and Dam is decorated by resplendent vegetation that makes the park a nature lover’s paradise. A visit to the park in spring offers campers and visitors the chance to see the pink colors of redbuds and the crispy white displays of the dogwood trees that bring life to the park. Vibrant oak trees, hickory, hackberry, pecan, and many other trees further enhance the park’s splendor in summer as numerous wildflowers dot the park’s landscapes. In winter, the bare branches create a lovely sight when viewed against the sky’s backdrop.
