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Whitewater paddling, river surfing, running, hiking and a little friendly competition will take over WOKA Whitewater Park in early October during WOKAfest 2026.
The annual outdoor festival is scheduled for October 3-4, 2026, at WOKA Whitewater Park near Watts, Oklahoma. Activities actually begin Friday, October 2, with open paddling and the opening of the festival camping area.
Located just across the Arkansas state line near Siloam Springs, WOKA has quickly become a regional destination for paddlers and river surfers. WOKAfest gives visitors a chance to experience the park while bringing together the broader paddling and outdoor recreation community.
General admission to WOKAfest is free. Parking is $10 per vehicle. Registration and additional fees apply to many of the races and competitions.
What Is WOKAfest?
WOKAfest is a weekend-long outdoor recreation festival built around the whitewater features at WOKA Whitewater Park.
The festival includes competitive and recreational paddling, river surfing, running races, hiking, gear demonstrations and a gear swap. Food trucks and other activities will also be available throughout the weekend.
The event is a partnership between the Grand River Dam Authority and Friends of WOKA. Friends of WOKA is a nonprofit organization that supports recreation, education and competition at the park through events, camps, clubs and promotion.
WOKAfest Starts Friday With Open Paddling
Festival activities get underway on Friday, October 2.
Open paddle and practice begin at 1 p.m., giving paddlers a chance to get on the water before the weekend competitions. Camping opens at 3 p.m.
The main festival schedule begins Saturday morning.
Saturday Brings Running, Boater Cross and River Surfing
Saturday offers a mix of activities on the water and on the trails.
The 5K and 10K Run + Ruck starts at 8 a.m. The gear swap and food trucks also open at 8 a.m.
Visitors looking for something less competitive can join a hike and scenic tour beginning at 9 a.m.
At the same time, competition gets underway on the water with the Boater Cross Competition. Kayak freestyle follows at 1 p.m., with the Surf Competition beginning at 2:30 p.m.
The day takes a lighter turn at 3 p.m. with Costume Surf.
Saturday, October 3 Schedule
- 8 a.m. – Food trucks open
- 8 a.m. – 5K / 10K Run + Ruck
- 8 a.m. – Gear Swap opens
- 9 a.m. – Hike + Scenic Tour
- 9 a.m. – Boater Cross Competition
- 1 p.m. – Kayak Freestyle Competition
- 2:30 p.m. – Surf Competition
- 3 p.m. – Costume Surf
Sunday Starts in Arkansas
One of the most interesting events of WOKAfest crosses the Arkansas-Oklahoma state line.
Sunday’s Down River Race begins at 9 a.m. at Gypsy Camp & Canoe along Arkansas Highway 59 near Siloam Springs.
Back at WOKA, slalom racing begins at 10 a.m. The Unicorn Race follows at 1:30 p.m., and the weekend wraps up with an open paddle beginning at 2 p.m.
The park is scheduled to close at 6 p.m. Sunday.
Sunday, October 4 Schedule
- 8 a.m. – Food trucks open
- 9 a.m. – Down River Race
- 10 a.m. – Slalom Races
- 1:30 p.m. – Unicorn Race
- 2 p.m. – Open Paddle
- 6 p.m. – Park closes
More Than a Whitewater Competition
You do not have to enter a race to enjoy WOKAfest.
Spectators can watch paddlers and surfers compete throughout the weekend. Visitors can also check out vendor demonstrations, browse the gear swap, join the scenic hike or spend time exploring the park.
The Gear Swap gives outdoor enthusiasts a place to buy, sell and trade used paddling and outdoor equipment.
WOKAfest is also family-friendly. Leashed dogs are welcome at the event. Outside food and non-alcoholic beverages are allowed. Alcohol is restricted to the designated beer garden.
What to Know Before Competing
Advance registration is strongly recommended for anyone planning to participate in a race or competition. Walk-up registration will be available, but registering early helps guarantee a spot.
Participants need to bring their own equipment for most events.
The Surf Competition is an exception. A limited number of rental surfboards will be available, but competitors must reserve them in advance.
Camping at WOKAfest
Primitive camping will be available during WOKAfest, making it possible to turn the festival into a full outdoor weekend.
Camping opens Friday afternoon. Reservations can be made in advance through WOKA.
For visitors coming from farther away in Arkansas, camping also provides an easy way to be at the park before the early Saturday and Sunday events.
What Is WOKA Whitewater Park?
WOKA stands for Waters of Oklahoma and Arkansas, an appropriate name for a park located just across the state line from Northwest Arkansas.
WOKA Whitewater Park was developed through a partnership between the Grand River Dam Authority and City of Siloam Springs, with philanthropic support from the Walton Family Foundation.
The park is built along a side channel of the Illinois River. Its approximately 1,200-foot-long and 100-foot-wide whitewater channel features eight drops designed to provide opportunities for kayaking, river surfing, tubing and other whitewater activities.
The park also has seasonal equipment rentals, concessions, changing facilities, restrooms and shaded viewing areas. Hiking and mountain biking opportunities are located nearby.
An Outdoor Festival Within Reach of Arkansas
WOKAfest may technically take place in Oklahoma, but it is closely connected to Arkansas.
The park sits near Siloam Springs, and Sunday’s downriver race starts on the Arkansas side of the state line. The festival also draws on the growing paddling, cycling, running and outdoor recreation communities of Northwest Arkansas and northeastern Oklahoma.
For Arkansas paddlers, river surfers, runners and outdoor enthusiasts looking for an excuse to spend a fall weekend outside, WOKAfest offers two days of competition and recreation centered around the Illinois River.
WOKAfest 2026 Details
Dates: October 3-4, 2026, with open paddling and camping beginning October 2
Location: WOKA Whitewater Park, 474986 Twin Falls Road, Watts, Oklahoma
Admission: Free general festival attendance
Parking: $10 per vehicle
Competition: Registration required for most races and competitive events
Camping: Primitive camping available with advance reservations
Pets: Leashed dogs are welcome
For the latest schedule, race registration, camping information and event updates, visit the official WOKAfest 2026 event page or Friends of WOKA.
This article was originally published on ArkansasOutside.com, your trusted source for outdoor news and updates in The Natural State. Unless otherwise credited, all photos included in this piece are the property of Arkansas Outside, LLC. We take pride in sharing the beauty and adventures of Arkansas through our lens, thank you for supporting our work!
