Lower Pearl River Water Trail
Have you paddled the Pearl? CONTACT PEARL RIVERKEEPER with paddling route submissions, edits, suggestions or any other relevant information for our Water Trail in progress. Thank you!
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Section 1. Georgetown Bridge to Wanilla Landing , 27 miles
PUT IN: Georgetown Bridge LAUNCH/LANDING: DESCRIPTION: Ramp at bait shop on Highway 28 just east of Georgetown TAKE OUT: Wanilla Landing (Old Highway 27, Wanilla, MS) LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp DESCRIPTION: |
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Section 2. Wanilla Landing to Atwood Water Park, 14 miles. "Mill Road crosses the river 5 miles below Wanilla, but there is no access."*
PUT IN: Wanilla Landing LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp DESCRIPTION: TAKE OUT: Atwood Water Park (1362 E Broad St, Monticello, MS) on Highway 84 east of Monticello LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp DESCRIPTION: Atwood Water Park is owned, operated and maintained by the Town of Monticello. The Park has river-side cabins for rent, pavilions and boat ramp. |
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Section 3. Atwood Water Park to Columbia Water Park, 50 miles
PUT IN: Atwood Water Park (1362 E Broad St, Monticello, MS) LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp DESCRIPTION: Atwood Water Park is owned, operated and maintained by the Town of Monticello. The Park has river-side cabins for rent, pavilions and boat ramp. TAKE OUT: Columbia Water Park (49 Dean Griner Dr, Columbia, MS) "Columbia Water Park is located off Highway 35 west of Columbia on the east side of the river."* LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp DESCRIPTION: Columbia Water Park facilities include camper sites, primitive camping, boat ramp, pavilions, meeting room "Riverside Room", 3 lighted ball fields, river overlook, playground and comfort station. |
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Section 4. Columbia Water Park to ramp at Highway 98, 5 miles.
PUT IN: Columbia Water Park (49 Dean Griner Dr, Columbia, MS)
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Columbia Water Park facilities include camper sites, primitive camping, boat ramp, pavilions, meeting room "Riverside Room", 3 lighted ball fields, river overlook, playground and comfort station.
TAKE OUT: Ramp at Highway 98
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION: "The ramp at Highway 98 is located via a road on the southeast side of the bridge."*
PUT IN: Columbia Water Park (49 Dean Griner Dr, Columbia, MS)
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Columbia Water Park facilities include camper sites, primitive camping, boat ramp, pavilions, meeting room "Riverside Room", 3 lighted ball fields, river overlook, playground and comfort station.
TAKE OUT: Ramp at Highway 98
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION: "The ramp at Highway 98 is located via a road on the southeast side of the bridge."*
Section 5. Highway 98 to Pearl River Bridge (Louisiana Highway 10 at Bogalusa, LA), 57 miles.
"At Bogalusa, a road on the northeast side of the bridge leads to a ramp underneath, while a road southeast of the bridge leads to a ramp in Mississippi's Old River WMA just downriver. There's also a high-water ramp east of Angie, LA, 27 miles below Highway 98."*
"At Bogalusa, a road on the northeast side of the bridge leads to a ramp underneath, while a road southeast of the bridge leads to a ramp in Mississippi's Old River WMA just downriver. There's also a high-water ramp east of Angie, LA, 27 miles below Highway 98."*
Section 6. Pearl River Bridge (Louisiana Highway 10 at Bogalusa, LA) to Pool's Bluff, 10 miles.
PUT IN: Pearl River Bridge (Louisiana Highway 10 at Bogalusa, LA)
WAYPOINT: Richardson's Landing (Riverside Dr, off Hwy 21, Bogalusa, LA). 3.5 miles from Pearl River Bridge. Boat launch.
TAKE OUT: Pool's Bluff, Pool's Bluff Rd off Hwy 21, Bogalusa, LA
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Walking trail, picnic area, Veteran's Memorial. "At Pool's Bluff, there's a ramp below the lowhead dam/sill east of LA Highway 21. The sill is located at the head of the barge canal which branches west off the main river. Portage around the dam if you take out here."*
Use extreme caution at the sill/low head dam.
PUT IN: Pearl River Bridge (Louisiana Highway 10 at Bogalusa, LA)
WAYPOINT: Richardson's Landing (Riverside Dr, off Hwy 21, Bogalusa, LA). 3.5 miles from Pearl River Bridge. Boat launch.
TAKE OUT: Pool's Bluff, Pool's Bluff Rd off Hwy 21, Bogalusa, LA
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Walking trail, picnic area, Veteran's Memorial. "At Pool's Bluff, there's a ramp below the lowhead dam/sill east of LA Highway 21. The sill is located at the head of the barge canal which branches west off the main river. Portage around the dam if you take out here."*
Use extreme caution at the sill/low head dam.
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Section 7. Pool's Bluff to Walkiah Bluff Water Park 18 miles.
PUT IN: Pool's Bluff, Pool's Bluff Rd off Hwy 21, Bogalusa, LA LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp DESCRIPTION: Walking trail, picnic area, Veteran's Memorial. "At Pool's Bluff, there's a ramp below the lowhead dam/sill east of LA Highway 21. The sill is located at the head of the barge canal which branches west off the main river. Portage around the dam if you take out here."* Use extreme caution at the sill/low head dam. TAKE OUT: Walkiah Bluff Water Park**, 516 Walkiah Bluff Rd, Picayune, MS LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp DESCRIPTION: Ramp on east bank of river. Restrooms, picnic tables/grills, full hookup RV and camping sites. Current can be very strong at the end of the boat ramp. |
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Section 8. Walkiah Bluff Water Park to ramp at Lock 1, 10 miles.
"Going downriver, take Holmes Bayou to the southwest 5 miles below Walkiah Bluff. Holmes Bayou joins the West Pearl in 4 miles, then the barge canal just beyond. To get to the boat ramp, turn right into the barge canal and paddle half a mile to Lock 1, located off Highway 41."* Map of Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
PUT IN: Walkiah Bluff Water Park**, 516 Walkiah Bluff Rd, Picayune, MS
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Ramp on east bank of river. Restrooms, picnic tables/grills, full hookup RV and camping sites. Current can be very strong at the end of the boat ramp.
TAKE OUT: Ramp at Lock 1 (Pearl River Navigational Canal)
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Lighted parking area and pavilion. No restrooms. Fishing the Pearl River Navigational Canal.
"Going downriver, take Holmes Bayou to the southwest 5 miles below Walkiah Bluff. Holmes Bayou joins the West Pearl in 4 miles, then the barge canal just beyond. To get to the boat ramp, turn right into the barge canal and paddle half a mile to Lock 1, located off Highway 41."* Map of Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
PUT IN: Walkiah Bluff Water Park**, 516 Walkiah Bluff Rd, Picayune, MS
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Ramp on east bank of river. Restrooms, picnic tables/grills, full hookup RV and camping sites. Current can be very strong at the end of the boat ramp.
TAKE OUT: Ramp at Lock 1 (Pearl River Navigational Canal)
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Lighted parking area and pavilion. No restrooms. Fishing the Pearl River Navigational Canal.
Section 9. Lock 1 to ramp under I-59 on West Pearl, 6 miles.
"This section of river starts at Lock 1 on the northwestern side of the wildlife management area and follows a river channel south past lots of white sandbars and wooded terrain. The area is very rugged and full of wildlife, including gators. There are additional take-out spots locate downriver that can be used to lengthen the trip and explore more of the area if desired." Bivy.com
PUT IN: Lock 1
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION:
TAKE OUT: Highway 59 ramp
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION: "The I-59 ramp is located off the exit 5 miles north of the intersection of I-59 and I-10."*
"This section of river starts at Lock 1 on the northwestern side of the wildlife management area and follows a river channel south past lots of white sandbars and wooded terrain. The area is very rugged and full of wildlife, including gators. There are additional take-out spots locate downriver that can be used to lengthen the trip and explore more of the area if desired." Bivy.com
PUT IN: Lock 1
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION:
TAKE OUT: Highway 59 ramp
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION: "The I-59 ramp is located off the exit 5 miles north of the intersection of I-59 and I-10."*
Section 10. Private ramp at 65583 Pump Slough Rd, Pearl River, LA, just southwest of I-59 ramp on Pump Slough. Contact Honey Island Kayak Tours for tours of the Honey Island Swamp.
Section 11. I-59 to ramp at Davis Landing on the West Pearl River off Louisiana Highway 1090, 6 miles.
"This section of river starts at the launch site at Highway 59 and follows the river south through areas of swamp and marsh terrain to the take-out at Davis Landing. The area is very rugged and natural, and is full of lots of wildlife, including gators. There are also other smaller channels that branch off to the west that can be explored." Bivy.com
PUT IN: Highway 59 ramp
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION: "The I-59 ramp is located off the exit 5 miles north of the intersection of I-59 and I-10."*
TAKE OUT: Davis Landing
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION:
"This section of river starts at the launch site at Highway 59 and follows the river south through areas of swamp and marsh terrain to the take-out at Davis Landing. The area is very rugged and natural, and is full of lots of wildlife, including gators. There are also other smaller channels that branch off to the west that can be explored." Bivy.com
PUT IN: Highway 59 ramp
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION: "The I-59 ramp is located off the exit 5 miles north of the intersection of I-59 and I-10."*
TAKE OUT: Davis Landing
LAUNCH/LANDING:
DESCRIPTION:
Section 12. Crawford Landing to Indian Village Boat Ramp, 5 miles
"A very short segment of the river that marks the natural border between southeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi that is developed but still offers diversions into side channels, sloughs, and alluring bayous." Read more about this section at Miles Paddled
PUT IN: Crawford Landing (41490 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell, LA)
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Launch and parking lot for Honey Island Swamp Tours. Camping is available at Crawford Landing/Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. More information at Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries and CanoeKayak.com.
TAKE OUT: Indian Village Boat Ramp (100-124 Indian Village Rd, Slidell, LA)(off Highway 190)
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION:
"A very short segment of the river that marks the natural border between southeastern Louisiana and southwestern Mississippi that is developed but still offers diversions into side channels, sloughs, and alluring bayous." Read more about this section at Miles Paddled
PUT IN: Crawford Landing (41490 Crawford Landing Rd, Slidell, LA)
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION: Launch and parking lot for Honey Island Swamp Tours. Camping is available at Crawford Landing/Pearl River Wildlife Management Area. More information at Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries and CanoeKayak.com.
TAKE OUT: Indian Village Boat Ramp (100-124 Indian Village Rd, Slidell, LA)(off Highway 190)
LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp
DESCRIPTION:
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Section 13. Indian Village Rd to ramp on Highway 90, 2.5 miles. There are 3 ramps on Highway 90: West Pearl, Middle Pearl and East Pearl (Pearlington, MS).
PUT IN: Indian Village Boat Ramp (100-124 Indian Village Rd, Slidell, LA)(off Highway 190) LAUNCH/LANDING: Concrete boat ramp DESCRIPTION: |
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Section 14. McLeod Park Campground** (Jourdan River), 8100 Texas Flat Rd, Kiln, MS). East of the Stennis Space Center.
"The Jourdan River is scarcely a river at all, more of an estuary of St. Louis Bay with virtually no current. McLeod Water Park is the highest public access point on the river, yet even here the Jourdan is wide and deep enough for large motorboats. By paddling and exploring upstream you can escape the motorboat traffic, find the best scenery on the river, and have the opportunity to explore many narrow side passages and oxbow lakes. You will find quiet, lonely waters ringed by gorgeous thick forest, an abundance of birdlife from ospreys to blue herons, and lots of other wildlife and woodland creatures. The river rises and falls with the tide." Bivy.com
PUT IN/TAKE OUT: McLeod Park Campground
DESCRIPTION: 120 campsites with full RV hookups, boat and canoe rental, nature trail, disc golf course, pavilions, and bath house. Hancock County
"The Jourdan River is scarcely a river at all, more of an estuary of St. Louis Bay with virtually no current. McLeod Water Park is the highest public access point on the river, yet even here the Jourdan is wide and deep enough for large motorboats. By paddling and exploring upstream you can escape the motorboat traffic, find the best scenery on the river, and have the opportunity to explore many narrow side passages and oxbow lakes. You will find quiet, lonely waters ringed by gorgeous thick forest, an abundance of birdlife from ospreys to blue herons, and lots of other wildlife and woodland creatures. The river rises and falls with the tide." Bivy.com
PUT IN/TAKE OUT: McLeod Park Campground
DESCRIPTION: 120 campsites with full RV hookups, boat and canoe rental, nature trail, disc golf course, pavilions, and bath house. Hancock County
OUTFITTERS
Honey Island Kayak Tours
Canoe and Trail Adventures
Beyond the Bayou Tours
GROUPS
South Mississippi Kayak Fishing Club
ATTRACTIONS
Pearl River Wildlife Management Area
Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
Honey Island Kayak Tours
Canoe and Trail Adventures
Beyond the Bayou Tours
GROUPS
South Mississippi Kayak Fishing Club
ATTRACTIONS
Pearl River Wildlife Management Area
Bogue Chitto National Wildlife Refuge
*Water trail information from Herndon, Ernest. Canoeing Mississippi. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 2001.
**The 9 "Pearl River Boatway Parks" listed here were created through a cooperative effort by the Pearl River Basin Development District, county governments, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. These Water Parks stretch from Neshoba County to the Gulf Coast and provide access to the Pearl River as well as its tributaries, the Strong, Bogue Chitto, Jourdan Rivers and Magees Creek. The Water Parks, currently managed by the local county Parks Commissions, provide recreational opportunities over total of 981 acres in the Pearl River Watershed.
**The 9 "Pearl River Boatway Parks" listed here were created through a cooperative effort by the Pearl River Basin Development District, county governments, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, Land and Water Conservation Fund, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks. These Water Parks stretch from Neshoba County to the Gulf Coast and provide access to the Pearl River as well as its tributaries, the Strong, Bogue Chitto, Jourdan Rivers and Magees Creek. The Water Parks, currently managed by the local county Parks Commissions, provide recreational opportunities over total of 981 acres in the Pearl River Watershed.
