PEARL RIVER (Mississippi)
Pearl River "At a Glance" |
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| Scenery | Southern forests and swamps |
| Best time | Spring, fall (winter) |
| Wilderness | Many remote sections, little development |
| Water Flow | Dependable |
| Water Quality | Silty when high, somewhat polluted in upper sections |
| Campsites | Excellent sand bar camps except at very high water |
| Hazards | No rapids or other major hazards |
| Logistics | Self help shuttle; infrequent access |
| Trip Length | Up to 140 miles |
| Recommendation | Excellent float stream for lazy paddlers! |
Enticing Sandbars on the Pearl River (photo by Marcella Ward)
General Description & Characteristics -- The state of Mississippi enthusiastically endorses the use of rivers for recreational purposes, and the Pearl River is a user-friendly river that reflects that endorsement. The upper Pearl (above Jackson and Ross Barnett Reservoir) offers some recreational opportunities, but it is to the lower Pearl we turn for an extended canoe camping excursion. Named for the treasures found by Spanish explorers at its mouth, the Pearl is a winding, usually slow moving river, and through much of its lower sections you will find large sand bars at most bends. The river runs through continuous stands of typical southern forests; sycamore, willow, mixed hardwoods and pines. The extreme lower section of the river forms the boundary between Louisiana and Mississippi.
Location & Canoeable Mileage -- You can start your run at Wanilla Water Park at about river mile 204 (from the mouth). Wanilla is one of several "water parks" developed by Mississippi to accommodate river usage. They have varying degrees of amenities but at a minimum a boat ramp and parking area; most allow primitive camping, and some are full service recreational parks. The last recommended take-out is at Pools Bluff, just south of Bogalusa, LA. This is at mile 64, making for a total possible float of 140 miles. Just downstream from this point is a sill (channel dam) which was intended to aid navigation in the (now abandoned) Lower Pearl Navigation Canal. The access is on the right bank. If you use this take-out be sure to be aware of the location of this dam and avoid it as the hydraulic may be very dangerous at certain water levels.
If you prefer to do a shorter trip, there are a few other access points, notably at Monticello (mile 191) and Columbia (mile 143), both of which have nice parks with boat ramps.
Interesting Features -- The Pearl River is a large stream that always has adequate water for canoeing. In periods of extended rainfall this river can flood dangerously, and should be avoided at such times.
You will find the Pearl River flowing adjacent to commercial forest (pines), some agricultural land, and many sections of rich bottomland hardwood forest. There are only a few riverside settlements along the way. There are long sections (50-60) miles where no bridges cross this river, making it one of the more remote river trips available in this area. Wildlife is abundant, including bald eagles which inhabit the area in the cool months.
The Pearl rivers flows beside the towns of Monticello and Columbia in this section; however, neither of these town is easy to visit from the river.
Regrettably, the Pearl shows some evidence of water and air pollution. There are a couple of paper mills near the river, and when the wind is right you will catch a whiff of their unpleasant odor. In the upper sections, the water has a faint odor of the outflow from upstream water treatment facilities (presumably Jackson).
Camping -- Excellent primitive campsites are abundant along the Pearl. These are to be found on the large sand bars of nearly every bend. If you venture beyond the sandbars to the land above the bank level, you will most likely be on private land, so take care to respect landowner rights.
Additional Information:
| Canoeing Information | The Pearl Basin Development District, 2304 Riverside Drive, PO Box 5332, Jackson, MS 39216-1332 (Phone 601-354-6301) may be able to provide a copy of the map & guide "Pearl River Boatway". |
| Canoe Rental/Shuttle Service | . |
| River Flow Data |
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| Parks on/near the River |
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| Towns/Other Locales on/near the River | Columbia |
| Books | Lower Pearl River's Piney Woods : Its Land and People |
| More Pictures | Canoe Campers Photo Gallery |
| Environmental Issues/Organizations | . |
| Acknowledgments/Contributors |
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| Miscellaneous | Mississippi Canoe and Kayak Club |
