Arkansas whitewater, Illinois Bayou Pope county, Bayou Bluff to Hector section whitewater kayaking, rafting, and paddling information.   CLASS II     8 miles   The starting point is not too far from Russellville, as you can see on the road map further down. Whitewater rafting and kayaking in this state is often easier than elsewhere, so you'd better keep in mind that rivers in this state are not as hard as elsewhere. Since you're on this site you are probably into whitewater rafting or kayaking, either way this is an area with plenty of rivers for that. The nearby hotels are a bit away from the     river, but if you don’t have reservations you might end up sleeping in your car. There are plenty of other sections in this river system that can be paddled as well. The scenic beauty of Pope County and the cool fresh water are in themselves reasons enough to come here to paddle. This stretch of Illinois Bayou in Arkansas is 8 miles long and is according to American Whitewater a class II section of whitewater. The beautiful Boston Mountains scenery is an added bonus. Getting your paddling muscles activated and just being out on the river for a while are great reasons to come. On this section you do get some distance, it's good length for a morning trip. There's   camping available near Illinois Bayou. Briefly about the general area: Since you're here at Illinois Bayou why not explore Mathis Hollow; you'll perhaps meet some people from Hector here. You just should have a thing about the Boston Mountains. Good hiking is available along the Cowan Hollow Trail, and hiking is a popular thing to do around Illinois Bayou; Mail Trail is a delightful local trail. This is a really good river. Illinois Bayou gets a large amount of water. May is the month that gets the most rain, and the driest month is January. Throughout the summer highs here at Illinois Bayou get into the 90's with nighttime lows in the 60's. Illinois Bayou, Bayou Bluff to Hector road map Printable road map with the put-in and take-out locations clearly marked.     Map Detailed Map Stats Stats for this river stretch Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Illinois Bayou.   Whitewater Near Illinois Bayou: Illinois Bayou, Pope County, 1 miles away       Class I-II - 10 miles long (Hector to Scottsville) Illinois Bayou, Pope County, 1 miles away       Class II - 8 miles long (Bayou Bluff to Hector) Illinois Bayou - Middle Fork, Pope County, 8 miles away       Class II-III - 12 miles long (Smyrna to Bayou Bluff) Illinois Bayou - North Fork, Pope County, 8 miles away       Class II-III - 14 miles long (CR1000 to FS181) Falling Water Creek, Pope/Searcy County, 12 miles away       Class II-IV - 7 miles long (Falling Water Falls to Richland Campground) Left Hand Prong, Pope County, 13 miles away       Class II-IV - 8.5 miles long (Headwaters to Victor Road) Big Piney Creek, Pope County, 14 miles away       Class II - 4.4 miles long (Long Pool Campground to Highway 164) Galla Creek, Pope County, 14 miles away       Class III-IV - 3.15 miles long (Crow MtNorth Road to Galla Creek Lake) Richland Creek, Newton/Searcy County, 15 miles away       Class III-IV+ - 6.2 miles long (Moore to Richland Creek Campground) Big Piney Creek, Pope County, 15 miles away       Class II+(III) - 8.4 miles long (Helton's Farm to Long Pool Campground)   Marinas Near Illinois Bayou: Lucky Landing, Atkins , 17 miles away White River Marina, Spur , 19 miles away   Hotels Near Illinois Bayou: Quality Inn Russellville, Russellville , 16 miles away Comfort Inn & Suites, Russellville , 16 miles away Holiday Inn Express & Suites RUSSELLVILLE, Russellville , 17 miles away La Quinta Inn & Suites Russellville, Russellville , 17 miles away Best Western Inn, Russellville , 17 miles away   Campgrounds Near Illinois Bayou: Bayou Bluff, Hector, 1 miles away Moccasin Gap Horse Camp, Pelsor, 8 miles away East Fork Wilderness, Tilly, 9 miles away   Trails Near Illinois Bayou: Cowan Hollow Trail, Pope , 7 miles away Mail Trail, Pope , 10 miles away Boyd Trail, Pope , 11 miles away Sulphur Trail, Pope , 11 miles away Still Hollow Trail, Pope , 12 miles away   Public Lands Near Illinois Bayou: Buffalo National River, Harrison - AR , 42 miles away Hot Springs National Park, Hot Springs - AR , 57 miles away Lake Dardanelle State Park, Arkansas , 21 miles away Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas , 22 miles away Mt. Nebo State Park, Arkansas , 26 miles away   Golf Courses Near Illinois Bayou: Galla Creek Golf Course, Pottsville , 17 miles away Russellville Country Club, Russellville , 18 miles away Golf Express, Russellville , 19 miles away   Lakes Near Illinois Bayou Lake Russellville, Pope , 16 miles away Galla Creek Wildlife Lake, Pope , 19 miles away