Updated 09.02.08

Largely overlooked by many paddlers, the Mississippi River doesn't get much attention due to somewhat restricted access and the common thought that it is dangerous and dirty. Apparently, the access issue is partially correct while the river really isn't that dangerous or dirty.

So, the first step is to address the access issue. Where can you put-in and take-out? I have tried to list the locations that I know of below arranged by state. Please let me know if you know of some that I overlooked or if you have a favorite section to paddle. I would be happy to include your input/experiences in the guide. I only have first-hand experience with the Shelby Forest - Mud Island stretch and the circumnavigation of the Loosahatchie Bar.

In addition to any information you find here, you should be familiar with both put-in and take-out before you start paddling.

TENNESSEE

Shelby Forest Ramp (Mile 754) - Located at the end of River Road in the Northwest corner of Meeman Shelby State Park. This ramp is labeled as 'Ed Duvall Boat Ramp' on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers map. It is approximately 15 miles from here to the next take-out at the north end of Mud Island. I would plan for a 4-5 hour trip if you want to paddle casually and take a break or two on sandbars.

Mud Island (Mile 729) - Ramp at north end of Island Drive at the mouth of the Wolf River. From here down to the cobblestones in the harbor at downtown Memphis is about 3 miles and is the route of the annual Outdoors Inc. Canoe and Kayak Race. However, this stretch is apparently not the cleanest around due to the Memphis sewage plant just north of the put-in.

A simple in-and-out trip from this ramp is a circumnavigation of the Loosahatchie Bar that is just across the river from Harbor Town and Mud Island. This trip is about 6.5 miles in length and took us about 3 hours at a leisurely pace with a stop on the sandbar at the top of the island. You can paddle downstream from the Mud Island ramp and around the southern tip of the island. On the west side of the island, the current is much slower and easier than on the main channel. Once you make it to the top of the island, it is an easy paddle with the current to get back to the ramp. I am told that the minimum river level for this trip is approximately 12-13 feet on the Memphis gage, with greater than 16 feet being ideal. Below 16 feet, you will encounter two obstacles. First, there is a dike near the southwest side of the island that you will have to get over. When I paddled this route at 14 feet on the gage, there was plenty of water rushing over the dike so that I could not easily paddle over it. But, it was easy enough to paddle to the western end of the dike, get out, and pull our boats over the rocks. The second potential obstacle is simply shallow water near the north end of the island. At lower river levels, the northern end becomes a massive sandbar, which make circumnavigation impossible.

Wolf River Harbor (Mile 736) - Just around the southern tip of Mud Island, you can take-out at the cobblestones, Mud Island Marina, or the ramp under the Auction Street bridge.

MISSISSIPPI

I found a great map that highlights 32 different access points with details such as minimum gage level necessary for access, river mile, ramp type, driving directions, etc. You should note that the 'access' column apparently denotes that some of these ramps only access oxbow lakes.

ARKANSAS

National Weather Service Mississippi River Gage - Memphis