Entire home

Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River

Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River

Photo gallery for Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River

Front View Bending Waters
Master Bedroom
Master Bed & Bathroom
Living Room
Breakfast Nook

Overview of Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River

Reviews
9.6 out of 10 Exceptional
4 bedrooms2+ bathroomsSleeps 13353 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Hot tubHot tubHot tub
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • KitchenKitchenKitchen
  • Barbecue grillBarbecue grillBarbecue grill
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi

Check out the area

Map
Park Hill, OK
  • Popular LocationCherokee Casino Tahlequah14 min drive
  • Popular LocationCherokee Landing State Park17 min drive
  • Popular LocationNortheastern State University19 min drive
  • AirportTulsa, OK (RVS-Richard Lloyd Jones Jr)85 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 13)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed and 1 Single Bed

Bedroom 4

1 Single Bed and 1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

1 Single Bunk Bed

2 bathrooms, 1 half bathroom

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Jetted bathtub

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River

Bending Waters is located on five private wooded acres just step away from the beautiful Illinois River at the threshold of Lake Tenkiller. This beautiful modern home is 3800 square feet where rustic charm is combined with contemporary elegance that comfortably sleeps 13 people. It comes complete with 4 bedrooms, 2 and 1/2 baths, and 2 family rooms with wood burning fireplaces that overlook the river with walk out to a deck. The master bedroom comes complete with a private 2 person Jacuzzi, large walk in shower with body sprays and large rain-head, gas fire place and deck with sights and sounds of the river below. The kitchen is fully equipped with an eating area that has a fabulous view of the river complete with hearth room, fireplace and television. A formal dining room is adjacent to the living room on the main floor. A gas grill is just off the kitchen on a 2-level deck. Every room has large windows that overlook the river and the privatel wooded acreage with an outside security system that monitors the property constantly.

This peaceful home is a true retreat with wildlife such as humming birds, eagles, deer, turkey, squirrel and lots of fish such as crappie, trout, bass, catfish and more. The best sand bass fishing in the area is right in your back yard!

This quiet home sits in the midst of thousands of acres of corps of engineers land. The road is paved all the way to the house with 900 feet solid rock drive to the home. A koi pond with water fall and lilies welcome you to a place of serenity, relaxation and peace.

This beautiful home I call, Bending Waters, is nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, surrounded with dogwood forests, hilly terrain and beautiful foliage from spring through fall with the Illinois River coming through the back yard of the wooded acreage. I know you will enjoy your stay as you soak in as much of the relaxation and fun that you have time for while remembering what else there is to offer that can be experienced in your next trip to our home, Bending Waters!

Illinois River:
Our back yard is on the scenic clear waters of the Illinois River providing opportunity for fun, adventure and photography! There are many outfitters along the river that provide (or you may bring your own) kayak, canoe or raft to enjoy 70 miles of floating where you will observe scenery of the Ozark hills, high bluffs, rocky islands, medley of wildlife and dense forests by way of the river. shuttle services are available through most of the outfitters.

Fishing:
Year-round fishing is good with black bass, white bass, striped bass, crappie, channel and flathead catfish, bream and walleye, with rainbow and brown trout stocked in the Illinois River below the dam. Three heated fishing docks offer winter fun for crappie fishing. Lake Tenkiller is popular for fishing tournaments. Fishing is a year-round activity with each season producing its own fun! More than 70 species of fish have been found in the waters. Classes are available for fly-fishing, lure tying and guided fishing trips.

Lake Tenkiller:
This peaceful home is just 0.5 mile from Lake Tenkiller which is the clearest body of water in Oklahoma. It is nearly 13,000 acres of water and over 130 miles of shoreline. This beautiful lake provides a wide variety of boating activities that cover sailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, inner tubing, and cruising, lounging, fishing and jet skiing. There are many secluded coves to anchor into and enjoy a day on the lake. The sunsets and clear night skies are perfect for stargazing and romance. There are full service marinas on the lake that provide fuel, snacks, and swimwear and water toys. Several marinas rent pontoons, ski boats and wave runners. Four of the marinas serve as floating restaurants.

Scuba Diving:
Scuba Park is a diver’s dream with clear waters from 8-30 feet. You will see sunken vehicles, planes, boats, remains of homesteads and artifacts left behind before the lake was formed that give divers a glimpse of history. The lakes underwater terrain ranges from sloping hills to rock cliffs, and the water goes up to 165 feet in places. Some divers go spearfishing! Two diving pro shops are located on the lake offering training, certification and equipment rental.

Hunting:
Approximately 2,590 acres of project land are licensed to the Oklahoma Dept. of Wildlife conservation for a State Game Management Area. Principal game species include whitetail deer, bobwhite quail, wild turkey, mourning dove, duck, geese, cottontail rabbit and squirrel.

Golfing:
Cherry Springs Golf Club, a scenic championship course, is located north of Tenkiller Lake on the southern edge of Tahlequah. Tenkiller Golf Club’s championship course plays through a hardwood forest on the southeast corner of Tenkiller Lake.

Nature and Hiking:
There is a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities for bird watching and wildlife observation. You will see migratory geese, ducks and other waterfowl. Winter time is an excellent time to view bald eagles, bobcats and whitetail deer. White pelicans come in the fall. Elk, deer, turkeys, bobcats, squirrels, bald eagles, rabbits and owls can be seen. Spectacular rock formations, huge boulders, high bluffs and natural springs are enjoyed. Programs from bird watching to tree identification to animal habitat are scheduled activities. The following places can be accessed by foot and some by horse or mountain bike: Tenkiller Valley Recreational Area, Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, Cookson Game Refuge, Tenkiller State Park Nature Center, Standing Rock Nature Trail, Buzzard Roost Trail at Cato Creek Landing and Overlook Nature Trail located at the Tenkiller Dam Overlook.

Whether you are coming for the tranquility of sitting on the back deck overlooking the beautiful river below. What about hiking, biking, or four wheeling the property & connected Horseshoe Bend Park Area; or, having big fun kayaking, swimming, or fishing in the lower Illinois River below? How about launching a boat and jet ski just two minutes from the house on Beautiful Lake Tenkiller or taking the short drive to join the hundreds and hundreds of people that party on the upper Illinois River every weekend?

Property manager

Ken Lightcap
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Events Fee $1500.00 ($500.00 Refundable) 40 Guest

Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
Fee covers 3 dogs, extra dogs per request + fee

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Check in time is 4:00 PM on the date of your arrival Check out time is 10:00 AM on the date of your departure No Smoking allowed in the House
Date Changes require $50 Change Fee
Check-in will require an accurate guest/pet count any additional un-reported guest/pets will be considered a breach of contract

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 40
Note from host: Events Fee $1500.00 ($500.00 Refundable) 40 Guest
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Tahlequah

Located in Tahlequah, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. John Ross Museum and George M. Murrell Home are cultural highlights, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Cherokee Springs Golf Club and Tenkiller Golf Club. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Park Hill, OK

What's nearby

  • Cherokee Casino Tahlequah - 14 min drive
  • Cherokee Landing State Park - 17 min drive
  • Tahlequah City Hospital - 19 min drive
  • Northeastern State University - 19 min drive
  • Cherokee National Capitol - 19 min drive

Getting around

  • Tulsa International Airport (TUL) - 79 min drive

Restaurants

  • Subway - 15 min drive
  • White Wolf Steakhouse - 14 min drive
  • Casey's General Store - 14 min drive
  • Sonic Drive-In - 14 min drive
  • Big Red Drive In Restaurant - 12 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Relaxing Private Estate at Tenkiller Ferry Lake on The Illinois River located?

This family-friendly Tahlequah holiday home is located on the waterfront, 0.4 mi (0.7 km) from Tenkiller Ferry Lake, and within 6 mi (10 km) of John Ross Museum and George M. Murrell Home. Cherokee Springs Golf Club and Cherokee Heritage Center are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 114 out of 133 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 13 out of 133 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 133 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 2 out of 133 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 133 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.6/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Eileen K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing House w Amazing Views
Our host, Ken, was incredible. Very communicative and helpful. The house is beautiful and well stocked, The walk to the river from the house was difficult with all the leaves covering the steps so w drove to the river, less than 5 minutes. Packed a lunch and the dog. We have a wonderful time. We will come back again
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angel W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wonderful Place
We had a great time! Home was beautiful! Didn’t want to leave!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family stay for Powwow
Beautiful property. A little drive to anything but that made it better. It was very secluded, like walking into a nature wonderland..
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Barbara K., Winter Park

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Respite at Lake Tenkiller
My sister, niece, and I stayed here for 4 nights. We had the best time. The set up of the home was perfect for our needs and had all the necessary amenities. I loved the setting of the house in the woods. It was beautiful and peaceful. We tried tubing one day on the Illinois River but the water was so low that it was not great tubing. One day we went to the Cherokee State Park and swam with tubes off the rocky beach. It was so much fun! Lunch at Nancy's Homemade Pies and Cafe provided us with delicious homemade pies for lunch. Ken was a super good host. The property manager was great, too, keeping up with our needs.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debbie A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Birthday Paradise
The stay at Bending Waters for a birthday celebration was wonderful. The views were amazing. Sitting on the back deck and seeing the river and watching the birds was a treat. The kitchen was a dream-literally everything was provided to prepare meals. The additional fridge in the garage was a blessing! The open spaces made it very comfortable for ten people. The drive to the lake was very easy and convenient. All we needed was another day or two...or more. It's a trip we will all with hold dear to our hearts.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Ken Lightcap

Host profile image
I love coming and literally smelling the roses of our Bending Waters Estate. I live very busy and demanding live that I truly love. For me, there is nothing like coming here because this is a beautiful serene place where the stresses of life just seem to float away down the river. The majestic views from our beautiful home inspire my creativity and romance while rejuvenating my souls. Living on the land and enjoying the scenic clear waters is refreshing and exhilarating, while providing lots of fun and adventure for me and my entire family. As I leave this safe harbor, I am always strengthened and rejuvenated to face the stormy sea of life once again!

Why they chose this property

I discovered this sublime secluded piece of property that inspired me to personally design, build and furnish my dream home to complement the beauty of God's majestic handiwork in this place of serenity. This elegant home I call, Bending Waters, is nestled in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, surrounded with dogwood forests, hilly terrain and beautiful foliage from spring through fall with the scenic crystal clear waters of the Illinois River boarding the back of the wooded acreage.

What makes this property unique

Bending Waters is a private retreat of vegetation and wildlife where you can enjoy the beauty and sounds of nature. This is a place of refreshing tranquility and peace! We like taking our kayaks to the water's edge of our back acreage for a brisk ride down the river to Lake Tenkiller, just 1/2 mile away. The lake provides lots of fun, adventure and excitement for the whole family! I know you will enjoy your stay as you soak in as much of the relaxation and fun that you have time for while remembering there is more to offer that can be experienced in your next trip to our amazing home, Bending Waters!

Languages:

English

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Premier Host
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