Canoe

[FreshBrew]

We might be arriving a few days early to check out the area before Waka, to canoe and camp on the river. Does anyone know some good options for this? We've never been to Northwest Arkansas, so this is a big adventure for us! Peace.

[b*st*rd]

Check the water levels closer to the end of May. In the summer it can get low depending on rainfall.
rivers at the bottom of this page:
http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go/lakes-rivers/

http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go...iver.aspx?id=2

http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go...iver.aspx?id=6

http://www.arkansas.com/places-to-go...ver.aspx?id=11

Turner Bend is a couple of miles just south of the festival site. They offer canoe rentals and have a drop-off service:
http://turnerbend.com/

[Natty]

You will not be able to canoe from Turner Bend. We've tried multiple years, but the water levels just aren't adequate. The ppl runnin the store will highly advise you to change your mind, and save the money. After multiple failed attempts, last year after the fest, two of my friends went against everyones warnings and canoed anyway. They said half the time they were dragging the canoe, and the other half, they were barely moving, dragging bottom. We've had very little rainfall this year, so I would say don't plan on it. You could always try a bigger river, instead of the Mulberry though.

[WakaPanic]

Byrds campground and canoe rental is a good place to car camp and rent canoes to float if there is enough water. One thing about arkansas is you never know whats going to happen weather wise. Yes, it has been a dry spring but we can get a big rain event a week or a few days before the event and you have plenty of water. You just never know around here. As for canoe camping on the river on the mulberry is typicaly not the best. It does not really have good gravel bars for camping and their is alot of private property along it. Best to do day floats on different sections. Turners bend also has roadside camping and rentals and look up there website and it will tell you what the river level is and if it is floatable. above 2 feet is doable 3 feet is fun and 4 feet is much more exciting for the novice.

[ozarkmountainmudd]

If the water is low, you still might be able to float the lower King's river around Berryville. The Buffalo National River is a few hours away and if the water is low you could add another hour of driving time from Mulberry Mountain but it's a beautiful river.

Here are a few local concessioners that I would recommend:
www.kingsriveroutfitters.com
http://www.buffaloriveroutfitters.com
http://www.floatthebuffalo.com/
Enjoy!

[Pauly's Cheese]

We are gonna have to get some serious rain in the next 2 weeks if the canoe option is even plausible. It's been terribly dry here this Spring. The Mulberry is at 1.2 right now. That is unheard of for this time of year. We usually don't see it that low until the middle of Summer.

Very sad

[FreshBrew]

Thanks everyone for all the good info
Guess we will hit up a river on our way back home instead!
Peace Easy!

[Pauly's Cheese]

Yeah, don't bring your boat. We would have to have 10+inches between now and the festival.

[elby001]

not real shure but you might be able to put in at cambells cemetary below wayfarer on the mulberry, its deeper past that point. call turner bend and ask.