Your input requested: float trip article

[Tim Eubanks]

Thanks in advance for your assistance. I've been "volunteered" to put together an article for an upcoming edition of Arkansas Wild magazine. This edition will focus on family-friendly recreation in the state, not just hunting and fishing. They are interested in less well-known streams (not the Buffalo and Spring) and other bodies of water that offer outings for every skill and interest level.

Seems like mining the resources here will be quicker than googling everything. Would like to have access points and brief descriptions. Planning to include a link to AGFC's site of water trail info, so don't need those.

Cheers

[Owl]

I hear there's some good information in this book:

guide.JPG (21.41 KiB) Viewed 3298 times

[Mike S]

http://www.syncweekly.com/news/2013/jul ... ivers/Dude" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://salinerivercanoe.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

need I say more if so!

http://www.littlerockfamily.com/post/99 ... n-arkansas" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Check out # 5 and 6

http://www.syncweekly.com/news/2013/jul ... wn-rivers/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/re ... -river.xml" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Canoe_Codger]

Never mind (Emily Litella voice)

[paddledog]

Often over looked is War Eagle Creek......

[Cowper]

Given the purpose and intended audience, I think it would be important to point them toward those streams with active outfitters where they can rent canoes. So that puts the Saline and the Ouachita firmly on the list; add the Caddo near Glenwood. The Kings up in NW. I think that you can rent canoes for the South Fork of the Spring - it's easier than the Spring, but pretty, and without the wild party crowd. Of the Arkansas Water Trails, there used to be a guy in Brinkley who will rent canoes, if you can't find via google, he is well known to their Chamber of Commerce. The Buffalo, the Mulberry, and the Big Piney should be on the list as starting points, we may think everyone knows about them but I still run into people at gas stations that see boats and have only heard of the Buffalo. For the Mulberry and Piney, I'd throw in some words about being appropriate for beginners only when at medium and lower levels, and tell them to consult with the outfitter about their skill level and river levels.

I think most of the rentals on lakes are powerboats and PWC's, I'm not aware of any that rent canoes or kayaks for just paddling around. They might exist; I don't hang out around the lake so I'm less sure about what might be available.

One exception might be OOO; at one time Kristal and Jeremy were offering outings on Lake Ouachita and others for paddlers, but with two kids now I don't know if they're still actively doing that or not.

[sig]

Many state parks rent kayaks and canoes for use on the lakes.

[ssqueen]

Ouachita Kayak Tours offers guided tours (and rental of kayaks & gear) on Lake Ouachita.