8 Best Places to Paddle Board in Mississippi Delta

Discover a hidden gem of the South.

Have you considered exploring the best places to paddle board in the Mississippi Delta?

This unique region offers untapped beauty and adventure.

Get ready to glide through tranquil waters and immerse yourself in the Delta’s rich culture.

Map

Planning Your Paddle in Mississippi Delta

Season figures are averages of the daily maximum temperature in the ERA5 climate archive for 2019 to 2024. Every spot below can carry its own rules on top of these.

Season: average daily highs clear 59 °F from February through December. August is the warmest month, averaging 92 °F, and outside that window a wetsuit is what separates a short session from a comfortable one.
Rules and licences: The US Coast Guard treats a paddleboard as a vessel as soon as you leave the immediate swimming or surfing area. From that point a wearable life jacket for every person on board is required, together with a sound signal, and a white light after dark. Individual states add their own rules on top, so check the state boating agency before a longer trip.

Where to Paddle Board in Mississippi Delta

Please note: While we strive for accuracy, always verify details before paddling. If you spot an error or if you're a local official wanting to make a correction, please comment below. Thanks!

#1 Moon Lake

🏖️ ️Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Moon Lake Public Boat Launch (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters, variable wind conditions
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Catfish, bass, turtles, waterbirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Lush green surroundings, cypress trees
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch for boats and water snakes, adhere to local regulations

Moon Lake, located in the heart of the Mississippi Delta, offers calm waters and stunning natural scenery.

Paddle among cypress trees and keep an eye out for the diverse wildlife as you explore this picturesque location.

#2 False River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: False River Regional Park (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Typically calm, with occasional mild currents and wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Fish, ducks, turtles
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Scenic farmland, old oxbow lake
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be cautious of debris in water, respect private properties

False River, an old oxbow lake in Louisiana, is just a short drive from the Mississippi Delta.

It provides a tranquil paddleboarding experience, with beautiful countryside views and calm waters.

#3 Bayou Bartholomew

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Alexander Natural Area (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, minimal wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring and Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Bass, catfish, numerous bird species
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Dense forests, swampy wetlands
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Beware of alligators, follow proper waterway etiquette

Bayou Bartholomew, flowing partially through Arkansas and the Mississippi Delta region, boasts the title of the longest bayou in the world.

Paddleboarders can enjoy a peaceful voyage through dense forests and wetlands, teeming with wildlife and unique ecosystems.

#4 Delta National Forest

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Blue Lake Public Boat Launch (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, variable wind conditions
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, alligators, waterfowl
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Forested wetlands, cypress trees
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Use caution in low-lying areas, check for seasonal hunting

Delta National Forest offers a unique paddleboarding experience amidst dense forests, cypress trees, and swampy wetlands.

Navigate through the peaceful waterways and observe the abundant wildlife, including alligators and a variety of waterfowl.

#5 Quiver River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Quiver River Landing (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Calm waters with occasional currents, gentle winds
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, turtles, waterbirds
🏞️️ Landmarks & Views: Scenic farmland, hardwood forests
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect private properties, follow local boating rules

The picturesque Quiver River is a hidden gem within the Delta region.

Surrounded by scenic farmland and hardwood forests, paddlers can enjoy the calm waters and relaxing atmosphere as they explore this charming waterway.

#6 Lake Ferguson

🏖️ Location Type: Lake
📍 Access Point: Greenville Public Boat Launch (Google Maps)
🌊 Water, Currents & Wind: Generally calm waters, mild breezes
☀️ Popular Seasons: Summer and Early Fall
🐟 Wildlife Encounters: Catfish, bass, turtles, waterbirds
🏞️️️ Landmarks & Views: Historic Greenville riverfront
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Watch out for boats, follow local regulations

Lake Ferguson, a beautiful oxbow lake located near historic Greenville, offers a serene setting for paddleboarders to explore.

Glide through the calm waters while taking in stunning views of the surrounding landscapes and the charming riverfront.

#7 Steele Bayou

🏖️ Location Type: Bayou
📍 Access Point: Steele Bayou Hunting Area (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Gentle currents, occasional wind
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring and Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Fish, turtles, waterbirds
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Marshes, floodplain forests
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Be mindful of hunting seasons, follow local regulations

Steele Bayou, located within the Mississippi Delta region, offers paddlers a chance to explore marshes and floodplain forests while enjoying a peaceful ride.

Wildlife sightings are common, so be ready to encounter fish, turtles, and various waterbirds during your paddle.

#8 Yazoo River

🏖️ ️Location Type: River
📍 Access Point: Greenwood Public Boat Launch (Google Maps)
🌊️ Water, Currents & Wind: Moderate currents, variable wind conditions
☀️ Popular Seasons: Spring to Fall
🐟️ Wildlife Encounters: Catfish, gar, turtles
🏞️️ ️Landmarks & Views: Lowland hardwood forests, wetlands
⚠️ Safety, Environment and Rules: Respect private properties, follow local boating rules

The Yazoo River meanders through the Mississippi Delta, offering paddlers the chance to navigate through lowland hardwood forests and wetlands.

The moderate currents make it an ideal location for those looking for a bit more of a challenge while still enjoying the beauty of the Delta region.

What to Take With You

Whatever the water here looks like, the same short list comes along. Each box below shows the model that currently sits at number one in our own test of that category.

Onyx MoveVent Dynamic Paddle Vest

Life jacket

Check price

Typefoam, paddle cut
ApprovalUSCG and Transport Canada

Rules differ from state to state and from country to country, but on open water this is the piece that gets checked, and the one that counts when the wind turns while you are still a long way out.

Every model we tested: 10 Best Life Vests for Paddle Boarding

NRS Quick-Release SUP Leash

Waist leash

Check price

Cordcoiled, stretches to 9 ft
Swivelstwo in-line

A leash keeps the board within reach after a fall, and a board that drifts off is the start of most rescues. On moving water use a quick release belt rather than an ankle cuff.

Every model we tested: The 9 Best SUP Waist Leashes

Pelican Marine Waterproof Phone Pouch

Phone case