Big Piney Creek is no secret among locals in Arkansas. The creek is a great option for paddlers in canoes, kayaks and rafts. It flows through some beautiful country in the Ozarks and offers a great mix of scenery, flat water and whitewater. Additionally, the creek has some great fishing. Check the water levels below.
Flows And Weather
Rapids and Float Notes
Class I-III water is the norm for paddling Big Piney Creek. The river runs a 67 mile course, leaving plenty of float options. A good portion of the banks are private however and only a few designated Forest Service campsites are available adjacent to the creek.
The first access is Limestone for floating. Then you can hit Fort Douglas and Helton’s Farm. The last two points are Twin Bridges and Rushing Bridge which is the takeout point right at Piney. Keep your eyes peeled for downed logs and prepare for some rock dodging. Overall, the river is the perfect mix of water to challenge beginners and entertain experienced rowers.
Fishing Big Piney Creek
Floating isn’t the only way to have a great time here. Big Piney has some great fishing for smallmouth bass. Look for the slower water and rocky cover to find the best bass fishing here. The lower sections are a little slower but the entire river has fishing opportunities. Searching the more remote upper river is a great way to find solitude, especially by hiking above where the paddling starts to fish on foot.
Shuttle Services
Moore Outdoors – 479-331-3606 – Located in Dover, they offer shuttles on the entire river. Give them a call in advance.
You can find a few other shuttle options locally. Moore Outdoors is the center for the shuttle operations but other locals can run if they are overbooked. They almost always will have a shuttle available however.
