This summer adventurous paddlers can canoe or kayak in the woolly swamp and never leave the Ozarks.
Thank the high water at Beaver Lake for this new swamp paddling experience that opens up during high-water years. Rising water has flooded forests in the backs of coves, creating micro swamps from one end of the reservoir to the other. Paddling into these backwaters is like exploring a mysterious east Arkansas swamp right here at home.
There’s flooded hardwood timber and bushes in these Beaver Lake mini swamps. Song birds and waterfowl welcome visitors.
There are several little swamps. One worth exploring is in the back of the Van Winkle Hollow arm of Beaver Lake. Another is on the War Eagle River 2 miles downstream from the War Eagle Mill.
Paddlers can visit an historic site in Van Winkle Hollow, as we found out when we hit the water on Monday.
We launched where a gravel road dead-ends at the lake at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area. To reach the spot, drive to the intersection of Arkansas 12 and Arkansas 303 east of Rogers. Turn north on 303. Take the first gravel road to the right and follow it three-fourths mile to the lake.
Paddle south and in no time you’ll be in an enchanted, flooded forest. A gnarly old cedar tree in the water looks like an east Arkansas cypress. Tall hardwood trees rise from the dark water.
Sun beat down on the main lake, but shade was plentiful at high noon in this swamp microcosm.
A wood duck flew out of a hollow tree and landed close to our kayaks. It must have young in the tree because it feigned a broken wing to get our attention on mamma and not the little ones.
Keep paddling and you will come to the edge of the Historic Van Winkle Hollow Trail at Hobbs State Park. Get out walk the half-mile loop for a leg stretch. Read the the info panels along the way and learn about the sawmill community that thrived here.
Paddling to the swamp below the War Eagle Mill takes more effort. It’s an easy 2-mile paddle down the river with some nice bluffs to see. Once you’re in swamp, there are acres of flooded forest to explore. The high water level has Beaver Lake backed up to the mill, so there is little current.
Get a taste of the swamp and you may want to venture east and explore Bayou DeView or other bona fide swamps that are part of the Arkansas Water Trails network. These swamps are nothing short of gorgeous. Your faithful outdoors reporter fell in love with them after paddling with a group at Bayou DeView to the spot where the ivory-billed woodpecker was allegedly seen.
Time was you could get yourself lost big time in these swamps. Now, a few are part of the Arkansas Water Trails effort by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission. Trees have been blazed at Bayou DeView and other swamps to guide paddlers through. Paddle from one blaze to the next, like following blazes on a hiking trail. Info is at www.agfc.com.
Meanwhile, there’s swamp paddling right here as long as Beaver Lake stays high.
Flip Putthoff can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @NWAFlip