Restroom
Public bathroom
24.7 mi
Unnamed Road, Muskogee, OK 74403
Swimming Hole In Creek/RiverOK
Boy Scout Hole
By Hidden Swimming Holes Team · Record updated
Background: generated illustration, not a photograph of this location.
Check Boy Scout Hole access near Welling before travel. Find land-manager information, historical Baron Fork photos and cautions about camping and water entry.
Swimming permission unconfirmed
Confirm current access and permitted water activities with the land manager before travel. The saved September 21, 2026 Google record flags temporary closure; no primary reopening confirmation was found. Public creek access is not proof of today's swimming permission.
Official sources checked:
Water type
Swimming Hole In Creek/River
Swimming status
Swimming unconfirmed
Fee
Current site-specific fees and parking terms not verified. Do not transfer free-use or camping prices from other river access areas.
Best season
Only after current access is confirmed
Nearby towns
Tulsa, Muskogee, Tahlequah
Water body
Baron Fork Creek Near Welling, Also Spelled Barren Fork Or Barron Fork In Regional Sources; An Illinois River Tributary, Not The Illinois River Main Channel
Status summarizes our reviewed record, not today's opening or safety. Check current rules, swimming boundaries and notices before visiting.
Location
Map & Directions
Nearby towns
Tulsa, Muskogee, Tahlequah
Access location not verified
35.85396, -94.91700
Recorded coordinates have not been source-checked. Confirm the entrance and legal access before using directions.
A closer look
Photos of Boy Scout Hole
Photos show past visits, not current water levels or swimming conditions. Select a photo to view it larger.
Sources & checks
This is a desk-researched listing. A record update or map check does not confirm current swimming permission or water conditions.
- Swimming rules
- Official sources checked . Swimming permission remains unconfirmed.
- Access location not verified
- The recorded location has no completed source check. Confirm the entrance, legal access, and parking before travelling.
- Record updated
- · This is a data update, not a field visit.
Found an error? Send a correction with the location and a source. How we research listings.
Boy Scout Hole: confirm access before planning a visit
This listing concerns Baron Fork Creek near Welling in eastern Oklahoma. The creek is a tributary of the Illinois River, not the main river channel. Our old page overstated water clarity, depths, jumping opportunities and informal access.
A named public access, not an opening guarantee
Oklahoma's wildlife department identifies Boy Scout Hole as a Corps-maintained public access. The 2025 GRDA map also identifies Corps management and lists 918-487-5252 as its contact. These references establish site context, not today's open gate or swimming permission.
Take the closure signal seriously
Our saved Google place record from September 21, 2026 flags the site as temporarily closed. We have not established a current reopening notice from the manager. Confirm directly before traveling; do not bypass signs or gates. This listing is excluded from swimming recommendations while permission remains unverified.
Separate camping from creek access
ODWC says there is no public camping on this creek. A saved map category describing a camping farm does not override that guidance. Book an authorized campground separately and do not treat photographs of visitors' chairs as proof of overnight permission.
Do not use the gallery as a safety assessment
The reviewed photos show historical gravel banks, wooded shores and creek water. They do not prove safe depth, clear-water quality or present conditions. GRDA's river-safety advice discourages diving from bridges, bluffs, banks and trees. We do not recommend jumping here.
Replace vague directions with confirmed access
The retained pin is not a verified entrance. Ask the manager for current legal parking and the approach, rather than relying on roadside pull-offs or a neighboring bridge. If those details cannot be confirmed, choose a destination with clear current access information.
Getting There
First confirm that Boy Scout Hole near Welling is open and obtain the current authorized approach from the land manager. The retained coordinates are an unverified historical reference, not a confirmed gate, parking lot or swimming entry. Older advice to use informal roadside pull-offs was not verified and is retired. Do not bypass gates, no-parking signs or private land, and do not assume a nearby bridge is this destination.
Quick Navigation
Access Notes
The saved Google record collected September 21, 2026 reports temporary closure. That is a dated warning, not independent confirmation of today's status or a reason to invent a reopening date. Corps management is supported by the official access article and 2025 regional map. Confirmation remains necessary before any visit.
Plan Your Visit
Parking & Access
Confirm the entrance, parking arrangements, and legal access with the land manager. A map pin does not establish a public right of access. Follow posted routes and never block gates or driveways.
Regulations & Fees
Confirm current access and permitted water activities with the land manager before travel. The saved September 21, 2026 Google record flags temporary closure; no primary reopening confirmation was found. Public creek access is not proof of today's swimming permission. Public park access does not necessarily include permission to swim. Respect private property and posted restrictions.
Seasonality & Flow
Water conditions can change quickly. This listing does not provide a current safety or water-quality assessment. Check official alerts and avoid entering water when conditions or permission are uncertain.
Nearby Facilities
Nearby places from saved public map data, not necessarily facilities at the swimming spot. Confirm access, hours, fees, and amenities with the operator before you drive.
Map data retrieved 2026-06-15
Parking Garage
Parking garage
26.4 mi
5 (3)
110 W Broadway St, Muskogee, OK 74401
Spaniard Creek Campgrounds
Campground
26.4 mi
4 (27)
Muskogee, OK 74403
Public restroomPublic showerRestroomRunning water
Coody Creek Trail
Park
27 mi
4.5 (84)
1120 S 2nd St, Muskogee, OK 74401
Picnic tablesPublic restroom
Celtic Privy
Public bathroom
27.8 mi
4 (1)
Muskogee, OK 74401
Meadowbrook RV Park
RV park
28.3 mi
4.1 (158)
1300 S 32nd St, Muskogee, OK 74401
Running water
Park Restroom
Public bathroom
28.7 mi
Muskogee, OK 74401
Silver Canyon RV Ranch
RV park
32.7 mi
4.6 (76)
8215 Oktaha Rd, Muskogee, OK 74401
Barbecue grillPicnic tablesPublic restroomPublic shower
Frequently Asked Questions About Boy Scout Hole
Is Boy Scout Hole open today?
Opening has not been confirmed. The saved September 21, 2026 Google record flags temporary closure; check directly with the manager rather than assuming it has reopened.
Who manages this access?
Official regional sources identify Corps management. GRDA's 2025 map lists 918-487-5252 as the Corps contact, not a dedicated on-site reception desk.
Can I camp beside the creek?
ODWC states there is no public camping on Barren Fork Creek. Arrange an authorized campground elsewhere; a map category is not camping permission.
Is the pin a confirmed swimming entrance?
No. The historical coordinates are retained as an unverified reference. Obtain current legal parking and approach details before travel.
Do the photos show safe swimming conditions?
No. They are historical destination context, not current water tests, measured depths, permission to enter or a jumping recommendation.
Highlights
Named Baron Fork creek-access context near Welling
Official land-manager reference
Historical creek and gravel-bank views
Location & Area Map
Safety Information
Important Safety Tips
- Do not jump or dive from banks, rocks, trees or bridges
- Avoid floodwater and hazardous currents, wear a suitable life jacket for water recreation and stay with companions
- Clear-looking water and historic shallow edges do not establish bacterial quality or safe depths
Cultural & Historical Context
Historical Background
This listing concerns the Welling-area creek access, not a similarly named Boy Scout Hole in another state. No specific local-history claim established by this review.
Photography Guide
Photo Opportunities
Historical creek, gravel shoreline and wooded-bank context. The gallery does not establish today's opening, a legal water entry, a safe depth or a permitted picnic setup.
Conservation & Ethics
Protect This Place
Respect gates, parking restrictions and property boundaries. Carry out litter and avoid damaging creek banks; do not drive through water or onto gravel bars to create an informal approach.
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At a Glance
Best Time to Visit
Only after current access is confirmed; plan in daylight and check weather and flow before leaving.
Difficulty Level
Current legal approach, surface condition and vehicle suitability not verified. Do not assume the old unmarked-path description is a current route or that an ordinary car can reach the creek.
Fee
Current site-specific fees and parking terms not verified. Do not transfer free-use or camping prices from other river access areas.
Facilities
Prepare for a creek-side outing only after confirming access. A Google category or visitor photo does not establish campground services or an accessible entrance; bring essential supplies rather than relying on unconfirmed amenities.
Activities
Visitor planning and creek scenery where access is confirmed. Water activities require current permission and suitable conditions; no jumping recommendation.
Phone
918-487-5252 (Corps contact listed in GRDA's 2025 map; not a site-specific staffed desk)
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
Camping Information
ODWC states that there is no public camping on Barren Fork Creek. Arrange an authorized campground separately; the saved Google camping-farm category is not permission to stay here.
Loading weather data…
Safety & Access Notice
This information is for general planning only and may be incomplete, outdated, or inaccurate. Access rules, closures, water levels, currents, hazards, and legal restrictions can change at any time. Always verify current rules with the land manager or official source before visiting.
- Do not swim where swimming is prohibited, unsafe, or not clearly allowed.
- Follow posted signs, local regulations, closures, and private-property boundaries.
- Assess conditions on site. Water flow, depth, temperature, and underwater hazards change quickly.
- Never jump or dive without personally confirming depth and underwater obstacles.
- Swim with a buddy and consider flotation for weak or non-swimmers.
- Pack out all trash; respect wildlife and fragile environments.
You are responsible for your own safety and for following all posted signs, laws, and local regulations. Read the full disclaimer.
J
Joshua Havens
Founder & Editor, Hidden Swimming Holes
Joshua Havens created Hidden Swimming Holes to make it easier for people to find — and safely visit — natural freshwater swimming destinations across the United States. He researches access conditions, water quality resources, and land management rules so you don't have to start from scratch. He holds a strong belief that good outdoor recreation information should be accurate, honest about its limitations, and freely available.
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