Tri-State/Newnan Paddlers

Three days of boat-based camping on the Ocmulgee River - this is a 35 mile section directly above the one that Newnan Paddlers did in May. The river features bluffs, sandbars, cypress, tupelo and is not much traveled. It's wider than some of our N GA rivers but probably no wider than the Chattahoochee around Chattahoochee Bend. Hoping we may get some fall color also as there were a lot of hardwoods.

Putting in at Stathan Shoals Landing and going to Mobley Bluff Boat Ramp. This is 35 miles. We'll meet at the put-in, unload and pack boats, then drive to take-out, leaving someone to watch boats. Hoping we can do shuttle on our own - plan is to drive all cars to takeout after loading leaving someone to watch boats, then come back in as few cars as possible (this will be 1 hour roundtrip). Then plan to have 1-2 of the cars people at takeout bring the shuttle drivers and their boats and gear back to the put in on the way home. This will depend on type of vehicles/racks/etc. - we may have to pay for a shuttle with someone.

Target daily distances (if we do 50 miles) will be:
Friday 10 miles
Saturday 15 miles
Sunday 10 miles

Planning to finish by 1 or 2 on Sunday to give everyone time to get home.

This is less daily mileage than we did in May; however, the water will probably be lower and the days will be shorter in November.

Camping will be on sandbars hopefully but dependent on level we may camp on banks - most land is WMA or owned by large companies so should be able to camp on banks. You will need to bring everything you need (food, water, tent, sleeping bag, etc.) in your boat. Open to people who have never done boat-based camping but I'd like to talk to you first to ensure you know what you're getting into and need to bring - I have a packing list that I can send.

Trip overview: Introduce members to a few of the more notable central Mississippi paddles roughly in the area between Hattiesburg, Meridian and Jackson. This trip will involve multiple basecamps and paddling trips over a six day period. Due to the nature of some of the waterways, this is not a trip for beginners or those with limited stamina. You will be expected to depart camp no later than 8:30am each day. A tentative itinerary is as follows (Don't attempt to make camping reservations at time. Further information will be provided later.)

Day 1. 2/20/25: Travel to Dunn's Falls Water Park near Enterprise, MS. Base camp at the park for 2 nights.

Day 2. 2/21/25: Paddle Chunky River from Stucky Bridge Road to Hwy 513 on the Chickasawhay River (11m).

Day 3. 2/22/25: Paddle Chunky River from Point to Stucky Bridge Road (7m). Move basecamp to D'Lo Water Park, D'Lo, MS for 3 nights.

Day 4. 2/23/25: Paddle Strong River from D'Lo to Panola(11m).

Day 5. 2/24/25: Paddle Strong river from HWY 28 to Bridgeport road(9m)

Day 6. 2/25/25: Paddle Leaf River from Hwy 588 to Hwy 590(7m). Travel home.