Customer Reviews

A Canoeing and Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks (Canoe and Kayak Series)

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I was looking for a guide to the many rivers and creeks to take multi-day excursions with my family in Arkansas and the close by rivers to Texarkana where I now live. I am a beginner paddler and need to have details but as any person who is overwhelmed by information, a concise and clear presentation is very helpful. On both counts, this book delivers. Having GPS coordinates is particularly helpful and the maps are very clear. The book is divided by regions, and this is also helpful. I can recommend this book without question.

Kennon's Ozark Whitewater was by far the best whitewater guidebook for the Ozarks (and the only one to find information on many streams), and it neve left my shuttle vehicle. It is in tatters now, so the timing of his updated guidebook is perfect timing for me. Though I will always refer to this and any of his books as "Ozark Whitewater" the new name reflects the fact that this is a big upgrade from version two. Much more up to date info, extremely good maps (much improved from the last version), and many new streams (some I've never heard of!). If you're a paddler in Arkansas, Oklahoma, or Missouri, Kennon has again produced the must have book for your paddling library. My copy is already on its way to being destroyed in the back of my shuttle rig! Highly recomended!

Thus far I'm quite happy with this book. The number of places where kayaking is available AND legal is great. I come from a state where landowner rights trumps everything and places to do any river kayaking is skimpy to say the least. I haven't run any of these rivers yet but I think this guide that tells me where to put in, where to take out and what to expect in between will be invaluable. I wish it had some info on how to arrange for vehicle shuttle or kayak shuttle, however there is a lot of contact information for canoe and kayak organizations that might be able to point me in the right direction. The thing I liked are the sections about obstacles to avoid or be aware of. If you're looking for a state to go kayaking in, this might be the book for you.

If you are needing a comprehensive guide for canoeing the ozarks this is a good book. It doesn't, however, have an overall map. The ozarks are spread across many states and this book explains where the rivers are but without any overall maps it requires a lot of cross-referencing with maps and other guidebooks.

I really like this book for it's no non-sense practical descriptions of the streams listed in the book. I have been to a couple not listed in the book that I wish he would have covered, so I could compare my experiences (Black River by Lesterville thru Sam Baker State Park for example). But that said, this is a comprehensive guide, very helpful.