Mile 771.0 - Randolph Landing

LBD 771 Randolph Landing

Directly behind Angelo Towhead is the tiny bluff town of Randolph, which features a bar, a church, and several houses. Poor Randolph, at one time it was the favored location for the major port and city of the area, later superseded by its lowly neighbor to the south that become the City of Memphis. A towering white cross was erected atop its green fields several years ago. A convenience store is located several miles up the Randolph Road, but nor recommended except in emergency. There is a primitive landing below this bar, where an access road dead ends at the river bank, but the landing only functional at higher water levels. Long distance paddlers beware: You can refill you water bottles and buy beer at John’s Boat Dock, which is conveniently located at the top of the boat launch. But be ready for some classic southern small town curiosity “you ain’t from here are ya?” which might dissolve into hostility depending on the color of your skin, the time of night, and how many beers have been downed before your arrival. If you’re black, or any other ethnicity, don’t bother stopping at all. You will most certainly be offended by some of the awful signage in this redneck hangout. Don’t camp anywhere nearby. You won’t want to be anywhere close by after dark. Lots of good choices further downstream. Best bet if you need to resupply: keep going on to Memphis.