Floating Turner Bend to Campbell Cemetery on the Mulberry River had been sitting on my adventure list for years. Having floated the Upper Mulberry stretches from Wolf Pen and High Bank to Turner’s many times, this middle section had been calling to me like an unfinished story. When I finally made the trip, it did not disappoint. I expected it to follow the pattern of many rivers – fast and splashy upstream, slowing to a gentler, lazier pace as it winds toward the lower end. Instead, this stretch threw my assumptions overboard. To my surprise, the current stayed quick and playful, delivering the same thrill as the upper Mulberry. With several exciting class II rapids and even more natural beauty, this was not the float I expected—it was far better.
Quick Glance
Distance: 10.1 miles
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Turner Bend Store (put in): 35.669869, -93.828349
Big Eddy Access: 35.654888, -93.857659
Milton Ford Access: 35.626912, -93.887420
Campbell Cemetery (take out): 35.623526, -93.910591
(Copy/Paste Coordinates into GPS or Google Maps search bar)
Directions
Floating Turner Bend to Campbell Cemetery is one that you might want to consider getting a paid shuttle for. If that’s the case, you only need to know how to get to Turner Bend Store, which is easy. They are located right on Hwy 23, just 11.6 miles north of Exit 35 off I-40. If you decide to self-shuttle, you’ll first need to drop a shuttle vehicle at Campbell Cemetery. To get there from Turner Bend Store, head north up Hwy 23 for 0.6 miles. Turn left onto Shores Lake Rd and drive for 6.4 miles. Then turn left on Cemetery Rd and go for 0.6 miles where it dead-ends at the parking area. See coordinates above for both stops. This drive is about 20 minutes each way.
What to Expect
Float Details
Floating Turner Bend to Campbell’s Cemetery covers 10.1 miles of the Mulberry River, offering plenty of variety and excitement along the way. On the day of our trip, the Turner Bend gauge read 2.1 feet. That level provided plenty of water with no real dragging. However, I wouldn’t recommend this float at a lower level than that. The put-in at Turner Bend can get a little backed up. So if you want to skip the line there, you can start 1.5 miles or so downriver at Big Eddy. I don’t recommend that because I enjoyed that section of the river. But if I was starting late and Turner’s was really backed up at the put-in, I might consider it. The best action of the float comes after Big Eddy. And it is a shuttle that Turner Bend Store offers.
We spent six hours on the water, taking plenty of stops along the way to swim, snack, and soak in the scenery. While there are a few long pools, the current stays steady with lots of fast-moving water. Lots of fun shoals kept things lively, and several class II rapids took the excitement up a notch . Paddling was minimal—nature did most of the work. All of the best rapids, including two mildly intense but extremely fun ones, are featured in the video further below. I’d rate the overall difficulty of floating Turner Bend to Campbell’s Cemetery as easy-to-moderate. It offers enough excitement to keep experienced paddlers engaged, while remaining accessible to those with basic river skills. This float is a great choice for paddlers who want a good balance of relaxation and excitement.
Scenery and Features
One of the best parts of floating Turner Bend to Campbell’s Cemetery is the mix of scenery that keeps the float visually interesting. A backdrop of beautiful mountains rise in the distance and are visible from many spots on the river. The scenery shifts constantly. Muddy banks give way to sparkling gravel bars, then to rocky shores dotted with massive boulders. There’s even some occasional tall, dramatic bluffs rising straight from the water.
I had expected this section to be more remote, with few signs of civilization. Instead, we passed several access points with people loading kayaks or just hanging out on the banks (meaning roads lead right to them). We also spotted a handful of well-kept riverside homes. Throughout the day we shared the water with more floaters, fishermen, and swimmers than I anticipated. Although it was less solitary than I imagined, it was still far less crowded than the upper sections. And definitely less crowded than most other rivers. To be honest, it was just the right amount of people. And the lively energy of other friendly paddlers ended up being part of the charm.
Plan Your Trip
Floating Time: 5-7 hrs depending on stops
11:50 to 5:50
Cell Service: Little to none (AT&T)
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Closest Outfitters: Turner Bend Store, Byrd’s Adventure Center
In my previous articles on the Mulberry, I’ve written about how easily accessible all the put-ins are upstream from Turner Bend are. Well that changes a bit when floating downstream from Turner Bend. Instead of a nice, paved highway, you have to take Shores Lake Rd to reach access points like Big Eddy or Campbell Cemetery. Shores Lake Rd is gravel all the way, but it’s nice for a gravel road. And the trip to Campbell Cemetery is a beautiful drive. But it is 20 minutes each way. I’ve self-shuttled longer trips on other rivers. But sometimes the paid shuttle is worth the saved time. That shuttle for the Campbell Cemetery float is around $80-100 through Turner Bend Store. Not cheap if you’re floating solo. But not bad if you can split it with others. And Turner Bend Store does a great job with it.
The best time to float the Mulberry is typically early Spring through late May. Sometimes we get lucky with good float conditions through mid-June, or a rare heavy rain in late Summer. As with all floats, always check the water levels on American Whitewater or the RiverApp when planning your float from Turner Bend to Campbell Cemetery on the Mulberry River. The river sections in green or orange on their site are good to go. If you’re still not sure, call Turner Bend Store or Byrd’s to get more info on the river conditions. If you are renting a kayak or canoe, it’s best to call the outfitter ahead of time anyway to reserve. Speaking of calling, cell service around the Mulberry River is unreliable, except for near the Turner Bend. So if you’re meeting or coordinating with others, you’ll need to get close to the Turner Bend Store for a signal.
Accommodations
There are several options for spending the night. Turner Bend, Byrd’s, and Redding Campground all offer tent camping sites with various options. Turner Bend has a few cabins for rent. And Byrd’s offers RV/Camper sites – some with full water and electric hookups. Food options are plenty too. Turner Bend Store has a great deli. Byrd’s has a full-service riverside restaurant. And just down the road in Oark, the Oark Cafe has some of the best burgers and homemade pies in the state. If you are a first time floater, check our gear list for all you’ll need. Remember, no glass of any kind on the river, and be sure to keep your trash in a bag. This is a really special area. So be sure to leave no trace, and keep this river beautiful. Enjoy the float!
