Last Updated October 17, 2006
Contributed by Gino Bauwens

The Hatchie River is one of the last meandering rivers left in the area. There are multiple access points that allow you to choose short or long trips. These sections include:

Hwy 64 to Hwy 18N - 8 miles
This section is the course for the Hatchie River Canoe and Kayak Race that is held every September. Beautiful , quiet trip on the meandering river. You will notice a few cabins and duck blinds on the banks. No public boat ramps between put-in and take-out. Min water level: 5.50 ft. on Bolivar gage. This section has sweepers and stumps.

Put in: From Memphis, take I-40 towards Nashville. Take Hwy 64 exit and continue to Bolivar. About 3 miles past the city center you will encounter a series of bridges. The boat ramp is just before the Hatchie river bridge on the Right side of the road. Ample parking available. Allow about 1.30 hours from Memphis. Do not speed !!

Take out: Take Hwy 64 back into town. In town center follow Hwy 18 N. Continue for about 3 miles. On the left is a restaurant, the Bombay Cafe, the boat ramp is on the left side of their parking lot. Ample parking available. Driving time between put-in and take-out is about 10 mins. You paddle mostly in the woods. At the end of the trip you will notice the traffic noise from Hwy 18. If the water is high enough, you can take a shortcut to the right and the boat ramp will be on your right. When water level is low or if you miss the short cut you will make a loop around a small island. You will encounter the shortcut again on the R . Take it upstream for about 150ft and the boat ramp is on your left.

Hwy 18N to Hwy 100 - About 12 miles
This section can be added to the previous one for a full day trip. A few cabins and duck blinds. No public boat ramps in between put-in and take-out. Min water level : 5.50 ft. on Bolivar gage. This section has sweepers and stumps.

Put In: Take I -40 towards Nashville. Take Hwy 64 exit and follow into Bolivar. In town center take Hwy 18N and follow for about 3 miles. Look for the Bombay Cafe restaurant on your left. The boat ramp is on the leftside of their parking lot. Ample parking.

Take out: Take 18 back into town . In town center follow 64 back towards Memphis. Take right onto Hwy 100 . Continue for about 4 miles and look for a series of bridges. The boatramp is on the other side of the Hatchie River bridge. Ample parking. Driving time between put-in and take-out is about 20 mins.

Hwy 76 to Hwy 70 - About 11.5 miles
The Hatchie borders the Hatchie Wildlife Refuge. A few cabins . No public boat ramps between PI and TO. Min water level: 6.00 ft. on Bolivar gage. This section has a lot of sweepers and stumps and was rather challenging for 17 plus ft boats at low water level.

Put In: Take I-40 to the first exit past the Hatchie river Take Hwy 76 S and you will cross the Hatchie again after about 2 miles. The boat ramp is on the right past the bridge. Ample parking.

Take Out: Take 76 N across I- 40 for about 4 miles. Follow signs for 70 / 79 S. Take 70 /79 S for about 6 miles. Cross Hatchie and boat ramp is on the R. Ample parking. Driving time between put-in and take-out is about 20 mins. This trip is just as beautiful as the upper sections but is a little easier to get to. The I-40 exit has gas and fast food (Subway & McDonald's). The put-in is about an hour from Midtown Memphis.

There are also the following two trips listed on the Hatchie River site:

Hatchie Station to Estanaula Landing, Haywood County - 4 miles

Hatchie Station to Hwy 100, Hardeman, Madison and Haywood Counties - 15 miles

However, I can't find exactly where these locations are. Can anyone help me?

Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge - Very little usable information.

Hatchie.com - Good general and paddling-specific information

GORP - Hatchie National Wildlife Refuge - General information.

Hatchie River Gage at Bolivar