See all 6 routes on Crooked Creek
Arkansas | Ozark Arkansas
Crooked CreekMark Oliver Access to Kelley's Slab Access
Lower middle Crooked Creek float from Mark Oliver to Kelley's Slab. AGFC still documents the exact 6.6-mile public segment and the direct Kelly Crossing gauge, but the only official numeric guidance remains the 12-12.5 ft moderate band, so this route stays conservative and minimum-only.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Mark Oliver Access and take out at Kelley's Slab for the lower middle official Crooked Creek segment. This is a rain-sensitive Ozark creek float keyed to the Kelly Crossing gauge rather than to a broad flatwater assumption.
Access map
Put-in
Mark Oliver AccessMark Oliver and Kelley's Slab are named public AGFC Crooked Creek Water Trail accesses with simple rural launches rather than full-service park ramps.
Take-out
Kelley's Slab AccessBelow about 12 ft at Kelly Crossing, expect more dragging and slower riffles. Crooked Creek can rise quickly after storms; check the live stage and trend before launch.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Kelley's Slab Access, then drive back to Mark Oliver Access. This lower middle Crooked Creek segment is a practical day float, but the Kelley finish deserves a scout when the creek is up or dirty.
Additional access notes
- Stay with the named public access points and avoid private banks, fences, signs, and purple-painted property along the creek.
- Scout Kelley's Slab before committing to the final take-out when the creek is up, dirty, or unfamiliar.
More route and safety guidance
- Almost all property along the creek is private; use only the named public access points and camp only where AGFC explicitly allows it.
- Shoals, riffles, fresh wood, and muddy or gravelly exits become more consequential when the creek is below the moderate band or rising fast, and Kelley’s Slab needs a cautious scout when the water is up or dirty.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Crooked Creek at Kelly Crossing at Yellville, AR. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Crooked Creek at Kelly Crossing at Yellville, AR |
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| Discharge | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | Needs paddler reports |
| Known low-water floor | 12.00 ft |
| High threshold | Water-level guidance unavailable |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Arkansas Game and Fish Crooked Creek moderate-level guidance |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route segmentMark Oliver Access to Kelley's Slab Access, 6.6 miles
AGFC lists Mark Oliver-to-Kelley's Slab as an exact Crooked Creek Water Trail segment.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-11USGS 07055607 at 217 cfs / 10.84 ft
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Level guidance12-12.5 ft moderate floating band
AGFC says a moderate level for floating Crooked Creek is 12-12.5 ft at the Kelly Crossing gauge. Paddle Today treats 12 ft as the conservative minimum-only floor because AGFC does not publish a complete high-water ladder for this route family.
- Put-in accessMark Oliver Access, 36.24973, -92.7486
AGFC publishes Mark Oliver Access as a named public Crooked Creek Water Trail access with a Google Maps coordinate link.
- Take-out accessKelley's Slab Access, 36.22921, -92.71045
AGFC publishes Kelley's Slab Access as a named public Crooked Creek Water Trail access with a Google Maps coordinate link and a hazard caveat under some conditions.
- Camping supportFred Berry nearby basecamp with permission
AGFC says paddlers may camp at Fred Berry Crooked Creek Nature Center with permission from the center manager and a one-night limit, but that support is separate from the river access endpoints.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
More on Crooked Creek
All 6Nearby routes within 75 miles
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