Sighting report: On August 18th a Green Heron was Sighted on the Sunflower River. Have any animals sightings you would like to share with us? Email me at Quapawdelta@gmail.com with your picture and a comment of where you took the picture and anything else that you would like to include!

Two Quapaw employees, Charles Wright and TommyOwen take their canoes out on the Sunflower River in Clarksdale, Mississippi. I (Tommy Owen) enjoy the river very much, and wish it was getting more attention from other residents and tourist alike. It certainly is overlooked as a paddling river. It's tranquil, placid, and home for a variety of wildlife. Stuck in the city of Clarksdale and ever wondered what it is like in the natural side of the Delta? Sunflower River! Summer fun isaround the corner, however during the spring and fall it can be just as enjoyable. During the winter explore the river banks and discover nature frozen in time. on August 10th,Charles and I took our canoes out and headed upstream to see what wecould find, and to see how much natural blockage had occurredfrom falling trees, rogue branches,and the low water levels.

Get out and Paddle the Sunflower

DEAR FRIENDS:

Heavy Rainfall this week has brought the river up. The best time to get out & paddle the Sunflower!!!!

Friday, Saturday and Sunday Dec 12-14th will be some beautiful paddling through downtown Clarksdale, and upstream & downstream as well. North wind Friday, SE wind Saturday & Sunday. Highs in the 40s. Do your own paddling & shuttling or we can provide canoes, kayaks and shuttle service. See below.

What are the options?

Clark Park to Sunflower Landing (3 miles)

Leisurely 3 mile paddle into downtown Clarksdale through some of the woods & neighborhoods north of town. Owls & beavers. Paddle through the cypress, oaks & sycamores of the Duck Walk. You’ve never seen downtown until you’ve seen it from the river!

Put-in at Clark Park
(Lee Drive & Friars Point Road)

Take out at Sunflower Landing
(Public Parking just downstream of 2nd Street Bridge)

Clover Hill to Sunflower Landing (10 miles)

10 miles. 3-4 hours of paddling. Wild & remote-feeling. Great views of Coahoma County as it used to look. Paddle through woods & fields for miles and not see anyone. No people or buildings until you get close to Clarksdale. Lots of deer, ducks, owls, hawks, and migrating birds.

Put in at bridge near Clover Hill
(turn off Friars Point Road at Kenoy’s and go East half mile on Farrell-Eagle’s Nest Road. Park on SE side of the 2nd Bridge. Put in below bridge.

Take out at Sunflower Landing
(Public Parking just downstream of 2nd Street Bridge)

Sunflower Landing to Hopson (6 miles)

6 miles. 2-3 hours of paddling. Leave downtown Clarksdale and paddle under the Railroad Bridge behind Delta Wholesale Hardware, Red’s Juke Joint, the Riverside Hotel, 61 Highway – you will see why the Sunflower River has the blues! The river alternates between short narrow passages with clogged channels through submerged trees and long pools bordered by big trees and wide fields. The banks are thick with hawks, owls & deer.

Put in Sunflower Landing
(Public Parking just downstream of 2nd Street Bridge)

Take out at Hopson Bridge

Rental & Shuttle Rates

Canoe Rental: $35/day with paddles & life jackets for 2 people
Kayak Rental: $35/day with kayak paddle, life jacket, and kayak rescue gear
Shuttle Rates (per person with canoes & kayaks):
Sunflower Landing – Clark Park: $15
Sunflower Landing – Clover Hill: $25
Sunflower Landing – Hopson: $25

20% off for Friends of the Sunflower River in current good standing!!!