Big Island Circumnavigation

An upstream adventurous challenge over 5-7 days

Progress tracker showing 57 days remaining, difficulty level with water icons, 90 miles to destination, and a teens/ads icon.

Not for the faint-hearted, this trip involves 2-3 days of hard paddling to get up the Arkansas, one gruelling day for the portage to the White (or take the Arkansas Post Canal), one day of moderate paddling back down the White back to the Mississippi, and one day of downstream paddling back down the Mississippi.

Add two days for exploration, bad weather, bear sightings and unforeseen circumstances!

Group of people sitting and standing on a sandy beach near a water body on a sunny day, some using smartphones, with trees in the background.

Incredible memories are waiting for you…

Sunset over a river with colorful clouds and reflection on water.

Experience required: Moderate canoe experience preferred. Strength and endurance to paddle upstream for 2-3 days required.

Mileages:

5-day option: ~ 13 miles per day
6-day option:  ~11 miles per day
7-day option:  ~9 miles per day

Be aware, mileages include 30-40 miles upstream paddling. Be sure to factor this in when planning your trip with us.

Pricing

From $500/person

Downstream trips require a shuttle for an additional fee/person.

  • Meet: 9am
    Quapaw Canoe Company
    291 Sunflower Avenue
    Clarksdale, MS 38614

  • 2-3 days of hard paddling to get up the Arkansas

    One gruelling day for the portage to the White (or take the Arkansas Post Canal)

    One day of moderate paddling back down the White back to the Mississippi

    One day of downstream paddling back down the Mississippi.

    Add two days for exploration, bad weather, bear sightings and unforeseen circumstance!

    • waterbottles

    • snacks

    • lunch (if you want)

    • sun protection

    • bug protection

    • shoes that can get muddy and wet (or go barefoot)

    Quapaw Canoe Company will provide canoes and all safety gear, as well as dry bags for each participant.

    • cell phone

    • camera

    • bird book

    • binoculars

    • swim gear

    • towel

    Pack any electronics or valuables in dry bag, dry box, or zip lock bags

  • We’ll pack a 5-gal jug of water to refill your personal water bottles.

  • Dress appropriately for weather. Wear shoes that can get muddy and wet (or go barefoot).

  • Quapaw Canoe Company can provide lunches, dinners, and breakfasts upon request for an additional fee/day. Meals are cooked fresh on an open fire.

    • Breakfast options include eggs and bacon, our famous “Tower Rock Crunch” oatmeal, plenty of fresh fruit, and Cowboy Coffee

    • Lunch is Sandbar Smorgasbord

    • Dinners vary by preference - Blackened Salmon, Spaghetti and Meatballs, Spanish Garlic Chicken, and Raft Potatoes just to name a few!

A pelican with a bucket in its beak and filled with fish, dripping water.
Five gold stars arranged in a row.

Quote starting with a bold sentence. Then continuing with other lovely stuff. Centered

Dave C from England
after a Magix trip in Oct 2022

Close-up of a person's hand with light skin, wearing a blue fleece jacket, drawing on a large white sheet of paper outdoors with a pencil.
Aerial view of a river with a large barge moving downstream, surrounded by lush green trees on the left and sandy banks on the right under a clear blue sky.
Group of people in outdoor gear holding paddles, standing by a river on a sunny day, with green trees in the background.
People in a canoe on a river near a sandy shoreline with trees and a partly cloudy sky.
People kayaking and paddleboarding on a calm river during daytime with clear skies.
A campfire on a sandy beach with a burning kettle placed on logs. In the background, people are gathered around a table near the water, some sitting and some standing.
Group of people standing on a sandy beach with a pile of trash in front of them, holding paddles, and smiling.
Aerial view of a river with a forest on one side and a dry, sandy area on the other during sunset.
Group of children sitting in a canoe on a calm river, holding paddles and smiling, with trees and a clear blue sky in the background.
People paddleboarding and kayaking on a wide river during sunny weather with a partly cloudy sky.
Two smiling young girls wearing life jackets and bathing suits standing by a river on a sunny day, with a tree-lined shoreline and blue sky in the background.

Let’s go!

Interested in this trip or would like some more information? Fill out this short form and we’ll be in touch shortly…