Another hot dry Arkansas summer has once again forced me to look for some new paddling alternatives. (New to me, that is). There are some good dry season float alternatives out there, and I have been able to check several of them off my list. Most recently, we visited Heber Springs to float Swinging Bridge to Lobo Landing on the Little Red River. The Little Red had been on my float list for quite a while, and it did not disappoint. In the hottest, driest part of Summer, this float is really hard to beat.
This section of the Little Red River is below the dam that creates Greers Ferry Lake. I’ve done some other dam-fed floats before such as the Little Missouri and the lower Ouachita River . Those are great dry season options too. But Swinging Bridge to Lobo Landing on the Little Red River is a little different in several ways. I’ll dive deeper into those differences a little further below.
Quick Glance
Distance: Approximately 7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Swinging Bridge Access (Barnett Park) Coordinates: 35.489656, -91.971721
Lobo Landing Coordinates: 35.457984, -91.925239
(Copy/Paste Coordinates into GPS or Google Maps search bar)
Directions
I recommend self-shuttling for this float. So first you’ll need to drop a vehicle at the Lobo take-out. From the Hwy 25 Bypass southeast of Heber Springs, head southeast on Libby Rd/Hwy 337. Drive 4.9 miles and turn left on Vogel Dr. Stay on Vogel Dr until you see the parking lot and sign for Lobo Access. To reach the Swinging Bridge (Barnett Park) put-in, backtrack to the Hwy 25 Bypass and turn right. In 1.3 miles, turn right onto Hwy 110/ E. Wilburn Rd. Drive 1.7 miles and cross over the bridge. At the end of the bridge, turn left into Barnett Park. This area is called “Swinging Bridge” because there used to be an old suspension bridge crossing the river right there.
What to Expect
Dam-Fed Floats
As I mentioned, Swinging Bridge to Lobo Landing on the Little Red River is a little different than the other dam-fed floats I’ve done. The other floats almost totally rely on water being released from the dam. I always thought that was the case with the Little Red as well. But come to find out, it just ain’t true! As long as the dam is keeping a regular generation schedule, you can float early in the day before they release water. Another difference with the Little Red is the water temperature. Because Greers Ferry Lake is so deep by the dam, this water is super cold ! On a hot day, you can feel the cold air coming off the water. And if there’s a breeze, it blows the cooler temps off the water onto you in your kayak. That’s why this float is so hard to beat on a hot day.
Because the water in the Little Red is so cold, it is home to some of the best trout fishing in the country. Trout fishing is a big business on the Little Red. So to accommodate so many visiting anglers, the river is lined with beautiful vacation homes. And nearly every one of them has a boat dock. Not exactly a nature-lover’s dream, but I think it’s kind of cool. And it’s definitely a different sight from all the other rivers I’ve floated.
Little Red Before Water Release
Swinging Bridge to Lobo Landing is approximately a 7 mile float. We started around 10:30, well before water was released from the dam. Why? Because we like to make occasional stops to swim, eat, or hang out on the river. Before release, there are plenty of gravel bars and places to pull off. The water was a little low and slow for the first half mile from Barnett Park. We dragged a little bit, but that didn’t last long. There is decent flow for most of the float, with only a few spots you have to paddle. One of those spots is the last mile before Lobo Landing. The flow is not all that fast, and there’s not really any rapids. But at least it’s moving water, even before the dam generates. Floating Swinging Bridge to Lobo Landing took us about five and half hours. We made plenty of stops along the way, so this float could be done faster than that.
The water in this section of the Little Red is crystal clear. You can see the bottom down to about 5 or 6 feet deep. And if you pay attention, you’ll see trout all day. What you will not see is a lot of mountains or tall bluffs. That’s not to say this isn’t a beautiful float. You will get a few glimpses of Sugarloaf Mountain, lots of cool rocks in the river bed, and just general nice scenery. To me, some of the most impressive scenery was the amazing landscaping around some of the riverside homes.
Floating After Water Release
Floating Swinging Bridge to Lobo Landing after the dam releases water is a much different float. I have not done the float while the dam is generating, but we did stay at a friend’s house on the river the night before our float. We sat out by the river while the dam was generating. I can tell you that the water is much deeper and moving much faster when the dam is generating. My friends that have done this float tell me there are not many – if any – places to pull over when the water is up. And that you spend much of the float fighting the current. Because there are so many boat docks on the Little Red, it’s important to stay in the middle of the river. The current is very strong and getting pinned against a dock could be very very bad. So if you do this float while the dam is generating, keep your distance from the docks. Depending on the generation schedule, you might have to wait until late afternoon to start. But it will be a very fast float, probably under three hours.
Plan Your Trip
There is only one outfitter I’m aware of that shuttles floats on the Little Red River below Greers Ferry Dam. That is Little Red River Outfitters. Their float shop is in Shirley, but they do service this part of the river if you call and schedule with them. But really, this is an easy float to self-shuttle as long as you have a float partner and two vehicles. Whether you do the float before or while the dam is generating, it’s a good idea to check the generation schedules here. They post the next day’s schedule after 4pm each day. And if you plan to do any trout fishing while you’re there, you definitely want to avoid a ticket by reviewing these rules here. Most of the river bank on this float is private property. Please be respectful of private property while on the river. Do not go on anyone’s boat docks or in their yards for any reason.
There is cell service for a good portion of the float, but it might be spotty here and there. Remember, NO GLASS on the river! And as always, be prepared to pack out any trash you have and leave no trace. If you want to make a weekend of it, there are lots of vacation rental homes and cabins in the area. Or you can camp at JFK Park Campground, or Dam Site Park. Heber Springs is just a few minutes away with plenty of good restaurant options. If you’re looking for new floats to do during the dry season, add this one to your list. It’s one I will definitely be back to do again. Hope you enjoy it.
