Pearl River in Mississippi

Trip Overview

I started at the spillway and paddled the 11.5 miles to the boat ramp inside Lefluer's Bluff State Park at Mayes Lake. It took around 6 hours. I stopped twice for a very short rest. There were many sandbars along the way.

I saw dozens of blue herons, four alligators and many alligator gar. One gar violently jumped out of the water and knocked into my kayak and gave me a heart attack. Along the way, I saw several people in boats and on the various sandbars, and in the water.

There were lots of stretches that I was totally alone and saw no one. This was my very first "trip" and for me it was too long and I was a little wary of the gators. Also, the current was pretty much non existent, and at times there were prolonged periods of paddling into a strong wind with the wind nearly blowing my hat off my head. This made for a longer trip. No big deal though, if you go early enough in the day and with a buddy. I wouldn't do it again alone, and I would seriously monitor the current before doing it again.

Accommodations:

You could spend the night on any of the sandbars if you wanted.

Fees:

Possibly a fee to enter the park.

Directions:

Spillway road to the boat ramp at the spillway. Take out past the Lakeland bridge inside the Lefluer's Bluff state park at the boat ramp in the very back of the park.