River Log section: Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
408.5 LBD Big Black River A dynamic alternate put-in for the Mississippi can be made paddling down the last 13-14 miles of the Big Black River from the boat ramp at the Hwy 61 Bridge. There is always some flow in the Big Black, and no shoals to negotiate.
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
414 RBD Palmyra - Togo Island Crossroads At right bank descending 415 the riverbank suddenly yawns up with a big mouth hundreds of yards wide that reveals a watery crossroads where Togo Chute, Palmyra Chute, the Big River Upstream and the Big River Downstream all intersect. A large bay is
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
414 RBD The Crossroads A rare river crossroads is created here at the junction of Togo Island, Palmyra Lake and the Main Channel of the Mississippi. From a paddler's perspective this is a watery paradise. Four distinct routes to follow from the same location!
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
416 RBD Togo Island Back Channel If the river is high enough to get through the willow forest RBD 416 adventurous paddlers can dive through the constriction and enter the cool shady tree-lined Togo Island Channel which is often full of birds and is a known alligator hangout. At low
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
RBD 425 Entrance to Palmyra Lake Back Channel Paddlers intending to go back channel through Palmyra Lake should stay RBD past Reid Buford Point and look for the break in the trees two miles further downstream. Note: the bottom point sandbar lengthens at medium low water and the opening is
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
426.5 LBD Hennessey's Bayou For close-up viewing of birds, amphibians, mammals, trees and flowers, paddlers can make a short detour up Hennessey's Bayou. Popular fishing spot. Possible alligator sightings. Quick left bank exit out of the wind, but not recommended for camping for all of
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
426 LBD LeTourneau LeTourneau is located in the middle of a ten-mile southerly stretch of river that can create difficult paddling conditions in a south wind. If the wind is above 20mph its best to go to shore and wait it out. If it’s gusting to 25-30mph or above
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
426 LBD LeTourneau Public Boat Launch A rough concrete boat ramp can be accessed at LeTourneau, which makes for an easy day trip 12 miles below Vicksburg. There are two concrete ramps here. Low water and high water ramps. The lower ramp is concrete and has limestone parking lot and
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
427.3 RBD Reid Bedford Point Sandy bluff thrown against the right bank in dramatic cut-out below Reid Bedford Point. Possible emergency camp alongside the vigorous eddy here formed. Good protection form northerlies, northwesterlies and westerlies, but open to the south. Hunting camps not far downstream in the woods, and
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
430 - 427 RBD Reid Bedford Bend A series of small sandbars are found along the main channel side of Reid Bedford Bend, making good shelter from westerly winds. Avoid a cluster of hunting camps below a giant hunting lodge RBD 429.5 (marked by an equally large white cross
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
431-424 LBD Below Racetrack Dikes/Towhead You can stay Left Bank Descending and cut behind a small island that has formed around one of the dikes for variety of paddling and wildlife viewing. Opens around 25VG, island goes under around 40VG. Good campsites all around a high ridge of willows
Vicksburg to Baton Rouge
432-430 RBD Racetrack Towhead Main Channel Luxurious Sandbars and harbors found along length of Racetrack, paddlers looking for a campsite will have plenty of good choices, but the proximity of the power plant will mean it will not be a quiet night. Top end goes under around 30VG, but dry