Arkansas Outside

49th School of Whitewater Paddling
2025-05-02 - 2025-05-04 | Turner Bend Campground, 20034 AR-23, Ozark, AR, 72949, United States
Planning for the 2025 ACC School of Whitewater Paddling event is well underway. Registration opens March 1, 2025.
When: May 2- May 4, 2025
Where: The Mulberry River, based at Turner Bend’s Round the Bend campground
Turner Bend is a private outfitter and store on the Mulberry River near Cass, Arkansas on Highway 23, approximately 11 miles south of Highway 16, and 13 miles north of I-40 at exit 35/Ozark.
We are basing all operations out of Turner Bend’s “Round the Bend” campground approximately 1/2 mile south (toward I-40) of Turner Bend Store on Highway 23.
ACC Membership: You must be a current member of the Arkansas Canoe Club to register. An ACC Household Membership (covers up to three members of the family living in your household) costs $25 per year. If you have up to three members of your immediate family applying for the school, only one ACC membership is required. If you are not already a member of the ACC, please visit the Membership section of our website.
Registration/Cost: Registration opens on March 1, 2025. The cost is $125.00 per person. All participants must register online.
Minimum Age: Participants must be at least 12 years old to enroll. (14 for Swiftwater Rescue)

Saline River Canoe Race
2025-05-03 | Lyle Park, 2 Rivercrest Cir, Benton, AR, 72015, United States
Get Ready to Paddle and Play!The annual river race is returning to Lyle Park in Benton, Arkansas, and you won’t want to miss it!
Check-in: 9:00 a.m.Race begins: 10:00 a.m.Route: A scenic 4-mile paddle from Peeler Bend to Lyle Park
Entry Fees:

Solo Division: $30 per person

Tandem Division: $60 per team

Every racer will receive a race shirt, medal, and lunch, plus trophies for the top three finishers. Have a creative streak? Name your boat for a chance to win the “Best Name” competition!
And don’t forget — all participants are entered to win a kayak, generously provided by Everett Buick GMC.
Important Gear Information:

Lifejackets are required for all participants.

Recreational Divisions will use boats provided by Saline River Canoe:

Tandem Division: Canoes provided

Solo Rec Division: Kayaks provided

Competitive Division: Bring your own canoe or kayak.

Whether you’re racing to win or just paddling for fun, this event is always a great time on the Saline River!

Monday Night Paddle & Dinner
2025-05-12 17:30 - 20:30 (America/Chicago) | William Kirsch Preserve within Ranch North Woods, 8803 Ranch Drive, Little Rock, 72223, United States
We will do a flat water paddle on Monday night, 5/12/25. We’ll be meeting at The Ranch North Woods. Our plan, as of now, is to paddle to the floating camping platform and back. This is a casual event open to any ACC members. Don Rottman will be cooking chicken fried rice on an outdoor wok on site. You need to BYOB. Depending on where exactly we can put in and the time, as well as how many participants, dinner will be on the platform or the take-out area.

Respond the Facebook Event Page to let us know you’re going to join us and so we can have enough food.
The plan is to open the gate at 5:30, get to where we’re starting, and launch at 6 p.m.

For reference is the same area of the New Year’s float where we stop to eat lunch and where we take out.
This is a minimal skill, any type of paddle craft type thing.
More info: https://www.nature.org/…/ranch-north-woods-preserve-in…/

Arkansas Canoe Club’s School of River Paddling
2025-06-06 - 2025-06-08 | Gypsy Camp & Canoe, 20271 State Hwy 59, Siloam Springs, AR, 72761, United States
Goals of the School of River Paddling
The goals and objectives of the School are to provide participants an opportunity to:

Feel safer and have more fun on moving water

Recognize typical river hazards and options for dealing with them

Improve fundamental paddling skills of:

Balance

Boat edging

Basic body mechanics

Paddling strokes for power and turning

Coordination and fluidity

Timing

Refine strokes and develop efficient maneuvers on flatwater

Use ferries and eddy turns when moving downstream to improve river reading

Arkansas Canoe Club school instructors use American Canoe Association course outlines to help you improve existing skills, practice new skills, and expand your knowledge of the river. Small classes of compatible participants allow instructors to teach to your needs.

September Paddle at River Mountain Park
2025-09-09 18:00 - 20:00 | River Mountain Park, River Mountain Road, Little Rock, 72212, United States
We’ll be launching at River Mountain Park from Rock Town River Outfitters at 6pm on Tuesday, September 9th. We’ll paddle up the Little Maumelle River and back, enjoying the sunset view of Pinnacle Mountain. Given the “down and back” thing….if you don’t make it by 6, still come and paddle and hang out.

If you don’t have a kayak or don’t want to transport one or want to bring friends, Sam Ellis, owner of Rock Town River Outfitters is generously giving us a 50% off either single or tandem kayak rental. To reserve, go to www.rocktownriveroutfitters.com and use Promo code: “ACC25”
This is an “anyone can do it” flat water skill level.

When we return, we’ll be having hot dogs, chips, beans….and whatever you bring for your own beverage of choice. A $5/person donation is appreciated to offset costs. We may even have a fire pit if burn bans are still off and allowing. So bring a chair too.

Black Friday Cleanup
2025-11-28 10:00 - 14:00 | Lyle Park, 2 Rivercrest Cir, Benton, AR, 72015, United States
Join Saline River Canoe, Arkansas Watertrails Partnership, and ACC BOATR for the 14th Annual Black Friday Cleanup! Details may change, but what we are thinking at this time is that we will once again try to have a “downriver” opportunity for those who would like that, which will most likely be a float from Lyle Park to the Saline River Crossing led by the famous (infamous?) “Chicago Bob” Tyler, and then a land-based crew that will hit two areas – the flood debris from a former homeless camp near the Interstate 30 crossing, and the area near the Saline River Crossing, including a spot known to be subject to illegal dumping.

Suitable attire for the land-based crew will be any outdoor clothing you are comfortable in, sturdy shoes, muck boots, or hiking boots, and work gloves. If you have any trash pickers, you might want to bring them. Bags and “specialty tools” like shovels and saws will be available.

The downriver trip will most likely be from Lyle Park to the newly refurbished bridge at the Saline River Crossing. Water level is at 53 cfs on 11/13, which would mean one or two wades might occur, but there are several days with rain in the forecast, so anything is possible, and it will likely be better. Distance is 3.6 miles, so this crew should be able to join the Land-Based Crew for the afternoon hot dogs. Boats will be available, or you can bring your own. Shuttle will be provided. You need to have your own “temperature-appropriate” river clothing. That could be a drysuit, a wetsuit, or just a dry bag with a change of warm clothes, as long as you’ve got some level of experience boating in cooler temperatures with whatever setup you choose.

Forecast (updated 11/13): High of 60 degrees, 20% chance of rain. (Check back for updates)

Note: We are not creating an “Event” page due to Facebook restrictions on editing Event details as needed, but feel free to share this post with others. Just let us know in the comments if you think you might be able to join, and we will try to not run out of hot dogs and/or burgers!

Mile Zero
2026-04-10 - 2026-04-12 | Kelly Courtyard, 415 Cherry St, Helena-West Helena, 72342, United States
Mile Zero: Delta Outdoor Festival
A weekend celebration of adventure, culture, and community. The event combines cycling, running, paddling, and birding experiences to showcase the Delta’s stunning landscape.

Mile Zero offers a wide array of activities for participants of all ages and abilities, including:
– Gravel and road cycling routes connecting to the Delta Heritage Trail and the Crowley’s Ridge Gravel Trail from scenic beginner paths to challenging routes for advanced riders.
– The Low Road Marathon, offering a unique running experience through the heart of the Delta.
– Guided e-bike birding tours to Saint Francis National Forest and Mississippi River State Park during peak spring migration.
– A 600 Mile gravel biking odyssey that highlights the best of the Arkansas Delta and Crowley’s Ridge (free multiday event, register here: bikereg.com/helena600)
– Mississippi River State Park paddling and birding excursions.
– Community-centered activities including a bike block party, learn-to-ride sessions, bicycle giveaways, and community meals for local youth and their families.
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Formerly known as the Delta Grind, the event has been rebranded as Mile Zero to reflect a new chapter rooted more deeply in Helena’s identity, landscape, and long-term future.
The name Mile Zero draws inspiration from Helena’s position as a gateway to the Delta; where trails, rivers, history, and culture converge. The rebrand signals an intentional transition toward local stewardship, with the long-term vision of the event becoming a community-supported celebration led by the City of Helena, ensuring its sustainability for years to come.
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“Mile Zero is more than an outdoor festival — it’s a strategic step toward positioning Helena as a hub for recreation, culture, and community vitality,” said Ammen Jordan, Director of studioDRIFT. “By connecting trails, rivers, and public spaces, we are building an experience that strengthens the local economy and enhances quality of life for residents and visitors alike.”
The festival supports studioDRIFT’s Crowley’s Ridge Gravel Trail Project, a long-term initiative to expand trail connectivity, foster sustainable outdoor recreation, and drive economic growth across the Delta.
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Join us for a rally-style celebration of cycling, culture, and community in the heart of the Arkansas Delta.
This unique event blends the best of gravel and road riding with the Delta’s vibrant soul — live music, local food, and cultural experiences that honor the region’s deep roots in music, history, and heritage. From mellow scenic routes to gnarly, gravel-grinding challenges, there’s a course for every rider — and now, new routes!

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The perfect mash-up of fun and folly!
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SCHEDULE
SATURDAY (4/11 @ Kelley Courtyard — 415 Cherry St)
MARATHON – RUNNERS

7 – 8am Check In
8am Pre-run Meeting
8:15 Bus Departs
9am Start
1pm – 5pm Food & Entertainment

ROAD & GRAVEL – RIDERS

8 – 9:30am Check In
9:45am Pre-ride Meeting
10am Start
1pm – 5pm Food & Entertainment

HALF MARATHON, 5K AND 1 MILE – RUNNERS/WALKERS

8 – 9:30am Check In
10:10 am Start
1pm – 5pm Food & Entertainment

Friday Options (4/10)

3pm – casual group ride (start from 430 Cherry St.)
3pm – casual group run (start from 430 Cherry St.)

Sunday Opportunities (4/12)

Guided canoe outing on the Mississippi
Guided birding outings

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SATURDAY ROUTE OPTIONS
CYCLING – ridewithgps
RUNNING & WALKING ROUTES – ridewithgps
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WHAT TO EXPECT

RUNNERS & WALKERS

Marathon – explore Marianna before transitioning to sandy gravel roads through a state park and a national forest characterized by tall timber and cypress swamps, flanked by the unique geological rise of Crowley’s Ridge, all the way to historic Helena.
Half Marathon – savor downtown Helena, passing cultural landmarks and a levee overlook before transitioning to sandy gravel roads outside of town on your way to a magical destinations in the St. Francis National Forest.
5k & Mural Mile – enjoy Helena and its beautiful River Park

RIDERS

Some of the best riding in the heart of the Nation

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IMPORTANT INFO

ALL ROUTES ARE UNMARKED – you MUST have a GPS app or written/printed directions
ZERO WASTE EVENT – BYO bottle/hydration pack recommended. Water jugs on course.
SELF SUPPORT RIDE – BYO tire repair, pump, tools, etc.
Aid Stations will be provided and marked on map; bring cash for convenience store treats
Rolling SAG for DNF only

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LOOKING FOR LODGING OPTIONS, BIKEPACKING ROUTES? CLICK HERE
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EVENT PARTNERS
This year’s event collaborators include the Helena Chamber, A&P, Thrive, and Mississippi River State Park.

Saline River Race
2026-04-25 08:00 - 16:00 | Lyle Park, 2 Rivercrest Cir, Benton, AR, 72015, United States
The Lyle Park Saline River Race is a 4-mile paddling event from Peeler Bend to Lyle Park in Benton, Arkansas. The race features both recreational and competitive divisions, including solo and tandem categories. Recreational participants must use equipment provided by Saline River Canoe, while competitive racers may bring their own canoe or kayak.
Registration runs from February 20 through April 17, with no refunds after the deadline. Entry fees are $30 per participant for solo divisions and $60 per team for tandem divisions. All participants receive race swag, and top finishers earn trophies. Lifejackets are required for all racers.
Open to ages 10+ (parental participation required for younger racers), this event offers a fun and competitive way to experience the Saline River.
