Looking for a medium level white water float this weekend

[Riverfun]

I'm new here and am looking for a medium level white water float this weekend or even maybe Tuesday, Sept. 7. Will need to rent a raft.

Suggestions for outfitters, rivers, stretches? Am not experienced in serious white water, but want a fun time on the water with enough spray to keep us cool.

Any suggestions?

[Lupe]

Afraid you would need to drive a few states from here to find what you are looking for! Arkansas whitewater is heavily rain dependent, and this ain't the rainy season. As a result, there also are very few outfitters to rent from in the state, as the whitewater rivers just don't run enough to support very many (exceptions being Moore's on the Big Piney, and Turner's Bend and Byrd's on the Mulberry).

There are outfitters who rent canoes and sit on tops on the Ouachita and Caddo Rivers, but the water is awfully low - not sure they would even be renting (and these wouldn't really be whitewater, but could still be a nice time on the water).

I guess your only bet might be the Spring River near Hardy, AR. I wouldn't necessarily call it even mild whitewater although it's got a couple little rapids. They do rent rafts up there. But unless you go on the weekday, it will be a very loud, party atmosphere. Search for other threads for Spring River and you'll get an idea of what to expect and if it's an atmosphere you'd be okay with. Not recommended if you have small children! But since you said Thursday, that probably would be a fine time to go without the party scene!

Now if you're willing to drive to North Carolina, THEN we could give you some recommendations! :shock:

[Wildwood]

:roll:

If you find some whitewater, please let us know! There will be a dozen or more folks there faster than you can get yer boat in the water. Heck, we would even help shuttle!

Have you thought of floating White River below Beaver Dam, or one of the other rivers dependent on generation for water? That's always a source of good cold water.

Have fun wherever you go.
Jan

[Wildwood]

If you have not seen it yet, you oughta get a copy of ArKAYAKansas, the whitewater DVD from Arkansas Canoe Club. Then you would know what to expect when you see float trips posted on the message board. And you'd know which ones you might want to get in on.

Happy paddling!

Jan