Are you looking for a place to canoe or kayak in central Arkansas?
Well, look no further! The Cadron Creek is a convenient, beautiful, and thrilling river to float, located less than an hour from Little Rock. Explore more than 30 miles in the Upper Cadron alone. See creekside waterfalls, stunning rock formations and ancient ruins all from the convenience of your boat.
Please keep in mind the river changes dramatically depending on the level of water. As the water level rises, the speed of the river increases and the rapids typically grow, but because some obstacles can be covered up - the water may become smoother and easier to navigate. It's hard to predict the exact difficulty you will encounter, so stay present and enjoy your journey!
We have listed many of the points of interest based on the river being at roughly 3 feet. That said, major changes occur all the time, so let us know if you think the rating for one of the rapids has changed or if there is something new or noteworthy to add to our guide!
Candron Creek Water Level
The Cadron Creek is best experienced between 1.5 and 5 feet according to the gauge on the USGS website. If the water is too high or too low, we may need to cancel or reschedule your reservation. To see the current water level click below.
Cadron Creek Outfitter's Shuttled Sections
Part 1 - Mile 17.2 to Mile 40
Hartwick Mill Run
From mile 17.2 to 26 (8.8 miles)
This 8.8 Miles of paddling paradise has the some of the best rapids on the Cadron. Several locals refer to this as this waterfall run, because of it's creekside falls seen at the bottom of this page.
Points of Interest listed by mile :
- 17.3 - Hartwick Grist Mill - remnant stone damn
- 18.4 - Stream enters from right
- 18.8 - Stream enters from left
- 20.6 - "Treasure Falls" - be respectful of land
- 21.0 - Batesville Mountain Road Campground (great camping spot or place to stop and eat for our customers)
- 21.0 - Beginning of the "Heart of the Cadron Float"
- 21.4 - "Sparky's Minurets" (Class I - II)
- 22.0 - "Here We Go" (Class I+)
- 22.6 - Wolf Pen Branch enters from left
- 22.7 - "Wolf Pen" (Class II)
- 23.9 - "Big Bluff Loop" "Big Bertha Falls" (Class II)
- 24.0 - Big B Falls
- 24.2 - Lil' B Falls
- 24.5 - Stream enters from left
- 25.7 - "Indian Rockhouse" (Class I+)
- 26.0 - Sarah's Wave (Class II)
The Pinnacle Springs Run
From mile 25.7 to 30.2 (4.5 miles)
Most popular stretch due to easy access, frequent rapids, ancient ruins, and the density of natural beauty.
Points of Interest listed by mile :
- 25.7 - "Indian Rockhouse" (Class I-II)
- 26.0 - "Sarah's Wave" (Class II)
- 26.1 - "Playground" (Class II/II+)
- 26.4 - "Backup" (Class I+)
- 26.6 - Pinnacle Springs -- Ghost town, be respectful
- 26.7 - Pinnacle Springs Bridge - Access on Left
- 27.1 - "Moo Poo Shoals" (class II+) "Tree Jump"
- 27.2 - "Lunch Stop" (Class II)
- 27.3 - "Pass or Catch" (Class II)
- 27.4 - Pinnacle Points Gap, Old river Bed
- 27.7 - "Hidden Beauty", "Professor" (Class I +)
- 27.9 - "Professor's Pool", "Trickle Falls"
- 28.1 - "Owl's Nest Bluff", "Cathedral Rock" (Class I-II)
- 28.3 - "Hidden Hollow Falls"
- 28.5 - "Blow Out Bluff" (Class I+)
- 28.8 - "Turkey Island"
- 29.1 - "Daddy's Knee" (class II)
- 29.3 - "Park and stop" (Class I)
- 29.4 - "Bear Cave"
- 30.1 - Local Swimming Hole
- 30.2 - Hwy 65 Bridge - End of the "Heart of the Cadron Float"
Hwy 65 Bridge to 285
From mile 30.2 to 40.0 (9.8 miles)
This run is a favorite of fisherman and day-trippers, and because of it's ease of access, this is likely the most populated section of the Cadron.
Points of interest by mile:
- 30.5 - River Camp One
- 31.6 - "Alum Bluff", "Alum Cave"
- 31.7 - "SOB Bluff Jump"
- 32.8 - "Tee's Loop" (Class II)
- 33.0 - "Soloman Bluff" (Class I-II)
- 35.0 - "Rock of Gibralter" (Class II-II+)
- 36.3 - Stream enters from left
- 36.5 - Big Peavine Creak enters from left
- 36.6 - Stream enters from right
- 37.6 - "Good Drive" (Class I+)
- 38.8 - Stream enters from right
- 39.6 - "Illusion Bluff", "Pack and Grid Cabin"
- 39.9 - Local Swimming Hole
The Cadron Creek Guide - Continued
Part 2 - Mile 0 to Mile 17.2
Gravesville - Mile 0 (Black Hill Road Bridge)
From mile 0 to 8.2 (8.2 miles)
Here the Cadron is narrow and winding, and trees conceal it from the sun. Easy float with many long pools and few rapids.
Points of Interest listed by mile :
- 1.1 - Utility Easement
- 2.1 - "Cherokee Treaty Bounty", Easement
- 4.6 - "Tight Twist Loop" (Class I - II)
- 4.8 - Stream Enters on left
- 5.1 - "The Bluffs" (Class I+)
County Road 610 - Mile 8.2
From mile 8.2 to 12.7 (4.5 miles)
This stretch cuts through White Oak Mountain. Junction of the North and Middle Forks of the Cadron. Lots of wildlife!
Points of Interest listed by mile:
- 8.6 - Stream enters on right
- 10.1 - Stream enters on left, "Gooch Bend Cut"
- 10.2 - "Gooch Bend" (Class I+)
- 10.3 - Stream enters from left, "Red Oak Bluff"
- 11.5 - Middle Fork enters from left
- 11.9 - Stream Enters from left
Highway 124 Bridge - Mile 12.7
From mile 12.7 to 17.2 (4.5 miles)
This stretch is great for larger groups and families, but works just as well for a lone fisherman. The bluffs get higher and rapids become more numerous, great section for looking at icicles in the winter.
Points of interest listed by mile:
- 14.0 - Kennimer Branch enters from left
- 15.1 - Utility Easement
- 15.2 - Pumpkin Center Circle (uphill on left)
- 15.3 - Stream enters from right
- 16.4 - King Branch enters from left
- 17.1 - Stillhouse Branch enters from left
The Cadron Creek Guide - Continued
Part 3 - Mile 40 to Mile 65.8
Highway 285 Bridge - Arkansas River
From mile 40.0 to 65.8 (25.8 miles)
The North Fork of the Cadron now enters its alluvial plain and becomes very sluggish, deep and murky. Long pools and slack water create a sump for litter and trash, however the surrounding majestic lowland hardwoods offer refuge to abounding wildlife and fishing is surprisingly good.
Points of Interest listed by mile:
- 40.5 - Cove Creek enters from right
- 40.6 - River Camp Two
- 40.9 - "Lick Branch Cascades"
- 41.0 - Malletown Bridge and Cemetery
- 41.8 - Jacks Fork enters from left
- 45.6 - Springfield Road Bridge
- 45.7 - "Old Springfield Bridge" - circa 1874! Stolen!!
- 53.5 - Cypress Creek enters from right
- 54.0 - Shaw Bridge Road
- 56.9 - Greenbrier Creek enters from left
- 57.6 - East Fork of Cadron Creek enters from left
- 61.9 - Interstate 40
- 65.8 - Arkansas River
Creekside falls seen from the Hartwick Mill Run
More photos, videos and guide information coming soon.
Big "B" Falls
The bluffs of Atoka Sandstone that border the Cadron give rise to hundreds of waterfalls and cascades. The "B Falls" can all be seen from the river -- especially during the winter when the trees are bare -- and provide paddlers on the Hartwick Mill Run one more special memory and an opportunity to shower. Big B Falls.
Little "B" Falls
He never wandered as far from home as his bigger sister...