Tips For Your Trip

Before You Go

Create a route and share a copy of your plan with someone who is not on your float. Let them know your anticipated return time. Check Water Levels on your intended route before you go. A good rule of thumb for a novice paddler is to avoid water flow above 5,000 cubic feet per second. Also, avoid paddling if the forecast calls for storms or high winds. Check for hazards on the intended route, including dams and weirs. If a hazard exists, be prepared to remove your vessel from the river and put it back in on the other side of the obstacle. Overnight camping is allowed on sandbars. Camping may be allowed at individual public access sites. Check the park regulations before departure.

What to bring

• Personal flotation devices (PFDs), or life vests for each paddler and pets.
• Extra paddle, ropes, or lines.
• Bail bucket or large sponge.
• Whistle or air horn in case of emergency. Attach your whistle to your PFD.
• Water shoes or sandals with straps.
• Plenty of food and water.
• Sun protection – hats, sunscreen, long sleeves, and pants.
• Dry change of clothes.
• Waterproof bag with a first aid kit, hand sanitizer, and for holding other
• valuables.
• River Trail map
• Charged cell phone.

Spread weight out evenly, and do not overload your boat.

• Tie your waterproof bag to the center of a kayak or canoe.
• Keep a safe distance from other boaters and paddlers.
• To safely handle bigger waves, turn your vessel perpendicular to the wave.
• If your boat tips over, remain calm, and remember your life is more important than your gear! If reboarding your boat is not an option, orient yourself with your feet pointed downstream, and do not attempt to stand up in moving water until you have reached the bank.

Paddle with a friend – If you are a beginner or new to the Arkansas River, make sure to paddle with someone experienced and knowledgeable. Check the weight limit of your boat and ensure all passengers and gear fit within the guidelines. Also, know how to safely reboard your vessel. Be aware that cell phone service is not always available on the Arkansas River.

Rules:

Everyone aboard a boat must have a United States Coast Guard approved life jacket of the proper size, available and accessible at all times. If you plan to be on your stand-up paddleboard after dark, you must carry a flashlight or lantern with you. Stop aquatic hitchhikers by draining, cleaning, and drying your vessel and equipment between each use, even if you are using it in the same waterway. Visit ProtectKSWaters.org

Respect Private Property:

Respect private property. According to Kansas law, public property is classified as the area below the high-water marks on either side of the Arkansas River. If the land above the high-water mark is private property, then public access is prohibited. If the need arises to traverse private land for emergency assistance, be respectful. This includes refraining from destroying any property and closing any gates you must open. If you need to leave equipment behind, leave a note, if possible, with the date and your contact information. Interpreting the high-water mark is not always easy. Signs of permanent vegetation at a certain spot on the bank probably indicate the highest the river has been in a while. Most people would consider that line as the
high-water mark.

Check the kiosk at the public access point where you enter or leave them river for important information on each park’s rules and important community information, including:

• The park’s operating hours
• Motorized vehicle regulations
• Camping regulations
• Other park rules
• Local police department phone numbers
• Local non-emergency numbers
• The physical address of the public access point where you currently are
• River trail map
• Local facts, attractions, and activities in the community