Last Updated March 24, 2009

St. Francis Sunken Lands Wildlife Management Area includes a large wetland area created by the St. Francis river flowing south out of Missouri. Some of the advantages of this location are the relatively close proximity to Memphis and the fact that there is always enough water to paddle here.

While the area doesn't look like much from the road, it gets much better once you get in the boat. We have driven to several of the put-ins, but the only one we have actually paddled at was Oak Donnick. Putting in there, paddle across the ditch into the canal going away from the road, directly across from the ramp. After paddling a few minutes down this canal, the main lake opens up in front of you. The lake provides both open-water paddling as well as paddling through the trees.

We have paddled a good bit around this area and there is plenty to explore. Around the edges, there are large stands of cypress, in addition to open water in the middle of the lake. The cypress seem to be in pretty good health, the most comparable we have found to Reelfoot Lake. From what we have seen, it looks like you could easily spend a day out there and have plenty to see. There are many duck blinds around the lake, so boating in duck season might not be a good idea. When we have been there, the river level has been about 10-12 feet on the Oak Donnick gage. At this level, paddling is easy with no hitting the bottom and little current. I suspect that this area would be easily floatable down to about 7-8 feet, mayber lower. Based upon the google maps, it looks like Oak Donnick is the best access point to the middle of a large area to explore. Let me know if you try any of the others.

There are likely motels in both Trumann and Marked Tree. I know there is a motel on Hwy 63 to the southwest of Marked Tree. I do not know of any campgrounds near the WMA. We have camped at Lake Poinsett State Park just south of Harrisburg and driven to the WMA in the morning for paddling. That drive looks like it is about 18 miles.

There are the typical fast-food restaurants in both Trumann and Marked Tree. Local-flavor places are few and far between.

St. Francis Sunken Lands WMA is about 1 hour northwest of Memphis. To get to the Oak Donnick access, take I-55 north and exit onto Hwy 63 west. After going through Marked Tree on Hwy 63 exit onto SR14 west. Then, make a right onto SR463 going north parallel to Hwy 63. After driving for approximately 6-7 miles, make a right onto a paved road with a fading sign for "Oak Donnick Access." Alternatively, you can go south on Hwy 463 from the intersection with Hwy 63 just south of Trumann. Turn left on the first road that goes under Hwy 63.

Either way, follow this road to the end when it turns to gravel and makes a right (south) along the levee. This gravel road parallels the railroad tracks on the right and then a ditch on the left. Near the end of the gravel road, you will find a boat ramp on the left.

St. Francis River Water Level - Oak Donnick

Arkansas Game and Fish Commission