Helena to Quapaw Landing

A great 2 day voyageur canoe paddle trip

Road condition signs indicating 2 days of moderate low water, moderate high water, 27 miles, and all ages.

Our most popular overnight trip. Enter the Muddy Waters Wilderness, and let civilization fade to the background. Enjoy life on the sandbar as you relax and watch the world go by.

On this trip you will visit the historic Montezuma Island, named for a sunken steamboat, as well as Island 62, which has bountiful amounts of Mulberries in the spring.

Group of people sitting and standing on a sandy beach near a body of water, some using chairs and others standing or sitting directly on the sand, with trees in the background under a clear blue sky.

Incredible memories are waiting for you…

Sunset over a river with reflections of clouds and colorful sky.

During low water, look for fossils, shells, bones, arrowheads and other treasures on the gravel bars.

During high water get reading for adventure as you boom downstream and make camp in the picturesque willow forests.

Experience required: None! This trip is open to everybody.

Mileages:

2-day option: ~9 miles/day

Pricing

From $100/person

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

  • Meet: 9am at Quapaw Canoe Company. Park personal vehicles and pack for trip.
    Shuttle to Helena Boat Ramp
    Start: Mid-morning at Helena Boat Ramp
    Day 1: Canoe downstream, stopping for lunch and exploration. Stop for first night of camping on Montezuma Island. Appx. 9 river miles. Unload canoes, set up camp, Quapaw guides cook dinner. Enjoy a night of stargazing and storytelling around the campfire.
    Day 2: Breakfast cooked over the fire. Pack up gear and canoes, and head off downstream. Stops for lunch, fossil hunting, and exploration. End trip mid-afternoon at Quapaw Landing. Appx. 9 river miles. Shuttle back to town.

    • waterbottles

    • snacks

    • lunch (if you want)

    • sun protection

    • bug protection

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

    • 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 painted depiction of a heron standing in a body of water with a soft, muted background.
Five gold stars

The trip of a lifetime

Dave C from England

A person in a blue fleece jacket is writing or drawing on a large piece of paper outdoors with a pencil, with trees and greenery in the background.
Aerial view of a river with a barge carrying cargo, bordered by green trees on the left and wide expanse of water and land on the right under a clear sky.
Group of people standing on riverbank with kayaks, holding paddles, smiling, wearing life jackets and casual outdoor clothing, with green trees and blue sky in the background.
A group of people paddling in a canoe on a river with a sandy bank and green trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
People kayaking and paddleboarding on a wide river, with some passengers in a boat in the foreground carrying backpacks and gear, and a group of people on a paddleboard in the distance.
A kettle placed on an open campfire on a sandy beach, with a picnic setup and people in the background by the water at sunset.
Group of people standing on a sandy beach with a kayak and trash in front of them, celebrating a cleanup.
An aerial view of a wide river with several boats, surrounded by green trees on one side and a dry, sandy river bank on the other, during dusk or dawn.
Group of children and teens paddling a canoe together on a calm river, wearing life jackets and smiling.
People paddleboarding and canoeing on a lake under a sunny sky with wispy clouds.
Two young girls smiling and standing in a river while wearing life jackets, with a forested shoreline, blue sky, and some clouds 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…