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In low and medium water levels, the stumps of giant cypress trees can be seen at the base of the bluffs along the left bank descending and are the remnants of the forests found here that stalled the opening of the Giles Cut-Off (1933). Lake Concordia in Louisiana was an
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(Note: We’re talking here about sandbars, not alcohol bars. Your thirst will soon be satiated at Natchez-Under-the-Hill Saloon, or other nearby establishments!) At medium and low water levels the adventurous paddler can pull into some highly unusual ledges of sand and mud and collapsing Loess Bluff left bank descending
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Like all Mississippi River islands Fairchild grows and diminishes with the water level. At high water it is a one-and-a-half mile long willow topped island with scrubby bottoms that are impenetrable in places with swamp privet and vines. At medium its back channel dries out (around 25NG) and a beautiful
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Waterproof Island is two giant islands, each several thousand acres big, that have formed like twins, one hugging the other, parallel to the main channel of the river. Each Island is long and narrow, so long that you’ll think it’s just part of the right bank descending as
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Cottage Bend Islands are visible from upstream by the bluffs of sand on the tops of the islands in low and medium water) and are found left bank descending opposite Brown’s Field Islands a couple of miles below Bondurant. These two willow-topped babies are cradled by the enormous Rodney
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The Mississippi makes a tight bend at Togo, a one hundred and eighty degree about face. The waters running northwesterly past Big Black Island find themselves turned around at Togo Island and made to exit this bend running southeasterly! That’s some wrangling of forces, water and land, the land
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Due to the ever meandering nature of the big river, Big Black Island is now landlocked and connected to the east bank, although it is still legally considered Louisiana. Great all water level and all weather camping can be found around the entire perimeter of the tight bend of river
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About a mile below the last bump of sand (during high water) on Newtown, RBD near mile 416, you will find an opening in the wall of willows. This is the entrance to the back channel of Togo Island. Always an interesting place to make a stop and stretch your
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Long beautiful sandbar at low and medium water levels, possible picnic and campsites found along entire length. Newtown sizzles in the summer sun like a slice of fatback in the griddle, and shimmers like an alaskan snowfield by the winter moonlight. In any season it creates a balanced layer of
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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 and cottonwoods. A long bay forms
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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 sandy landings can be made further
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Opens up in a shallow trickle around 20VG. Best to run 25VG and higher. Good flow at 30VG. Strong flow at 35 and above. After descending below bridge make your crossing to the RBD and enter back channel. Beautiful picnic and campsites found throughout until 30VG. Top end goes under