Highwater Camp Rules

  1. All children 12 yrs old and younger are required by law to wear a life jacket while on the river (law enforced by GRDA)

  2. Do not leave small children unattended anywhere on the property.

  3. There is no lifeguard on duty. Enter the water at your own risk.

  4. No Glass or Styrofoam is allowed anywhere on the beach or in the river (law enforced by GRDA)

  5. Do not tie any watercraft, boats, rafts or tubes together on the river (law enforced by GRDA)

  6. Follow Leave no Trace Principles. Do not Litter. Place all trash in the cans provided or take it with you.

  7. Rig to Flip all watercraft. Ensure coolers and all items are properly secured inside of every watercraft. Coolers that are taken on the river must be smaller than 52 qts. per GRDA. You must bring one trash bag per watercraft with you when floating the river per GRDA.

  8. 2 dogs are allowed for the reserved camping party only. No pets may be left unsupervised or unattended at any time. Maintain control of your pet or keep it on a leash and with you. If you are using one of the River Access Passes, and you are floating with your pet, it MUST be on a leash while on HWC property, this includes while loading/unloading boats and equipment on the beach. Be respectful to other dog owners. Do not let your pet run up to strangers or other pets until both owners agree to allow the animals to interact. I hate that I have to write this down, but I have to. If you float the river, take your pet with you. Do not leave it in a cage, tied to a tree and especially do not leave any pet in a vehicle. Playing fetch in the river or on the shore is perfectly fine. Please use common sense. We love our pets and assume you do as well. We do not want to become one of the places that does not allow pets. Do not bring any animals that are mean or aggressive. Any animal that is violent or aggressive to other people or animals will be reported. You will also be asked to leave along with your pet if they misbehave.

  9. Pet owners must cleanup poop from their pets and throw it into a waste barrel.

  10. Do not deposit or bury human waste anywhere on the property or in the river. Use the porta johns for doing #2 business.

  11. Do not leave unattended vehicles on the gravel bar in case of rising water, regardless of current or expected weather conditions. Do so at your own risk. Flash flooding can occur. Park any vehicle that will be left unattended in the designated parking area on the high bank or leave the keys with someone in your party who is remaining behind at HWC that can move the vehicle. This includes if you depart for a river trip for the day.

  12. No camping or sleeping in your vehicle in the main parking area except in extreme emergencies such as flash flood, severe storms etc.

  13. Speed limit is 5mph everywhere on the property.

  14. You may drive up to the waters edge, however do not drive any vehicle into the river or attempt to cross the river in a vehicle (law enforced by GRDA)

  15. Stay on existing roadways and yield to existing traffic when crossing the culvert. Only 1 vehicle may cross the culvert at a time.

  16. No RV's or very large camper trailers may drive across the culvert onto the gravel bar.

  17. Only small campers/trailers may drive on the gravel bar. 4x4 is not usually required, however access is not guaranteed on the gravel bar. You are responsible for your own decision. If you are unsure if your vehicle can make it safely, then do not drive across the culvert or drive onto the gravel bar.

  18. Alcohol is allowed on HWC property, however, GRDA has a separate regulation regarding the quantity and type of beverages that may be possessed or consumed while floating the river. Drink responsibly. Extreme intoxication and/or belligerent behavior will not be tolerated.

  19. No illegal substance, drug use or possession is allowed on the property.

  20. No hunting on HWC property. No discharging of firearms. No illegal possession of firearms.

  21. Any vandalism or intentional damages to HWC property will be reported to the police and/or a fee assessed.

  22. Do not cut down any standing trees, dead or alive.

  23. Campfires are allowed unless fire restrictions are in effect. The burning of tires, metal, aluminum, plastic, glass, or any other type of hazardous material is prohibited. All fires must be kept in a pre-existing campfire rings. Do not create new fire rings. No bonfires. Keep fires reasonably small. Do not leave fires unattended. All fires must be fully extinguished, wet, and cold to the touch before departing.

  24. No fireworks except on 4th of July in designated areas approved by the owner only.

  25. No nudity. Keep profanity to a minimum. Maintain a family atmosphere.

  26. The Ranch house and all infrastructure are off limits to campers and guests on the property. Do not disturb the tenants of the Ranch House.

  27. Quiet Hours are from 10pm-7am.

  28. Go to GRDA website for additional information regarding specific Illinois River Regulations and laws.

  29. HWC reserves the right to refuse service to anyone. Any violation of the rules may result in you and/or your group being asked to leave the property without a refund.

  30. Be good humans and respectful to others. Have a good time and enjoy this amazing river retreat.