Big Creek Whitewater Trip
March 21 @ 8:30 am – 5:00 pm (Free – $11.50)
Big Creek is a tributary of the St. Francis River flowing about 19.2 miles between the Highway K bridge just west of Annapolis through Sam A. Baker State Park to its confluence with the Saint. Starting in Iron County, Big Creek ends in Wayne County near Lodi and US Highway 67. This narrow “crick” can be a docile lamb at normal to low water levels or a roaring lion in high water conditions. Its rapids are exciting, especially considering the tight nature of the creek and the control necessary to avoid creek banks, trees, brush and obstacles that may occasionally find their way into the streambed. It is a canoe and kayak only stream – rafts would be just too bulky and awkward for this small waterway. It is gorgeous with a capital “G”, so bring your camera and take a lot of photos.
Meeting location: We will meet at the store at Sam A Baker State Park at 8:30 am and shuttle up to Des Arc. We will paddle 10 miles to the low water bridge at Sam A Baker.
Camping options: Sam A. Baker State Park.
Big Creek is a Class II River, sometimes getting to a Class III during high water.
Class II: Straightforward rapids with wide, clear channels which are evident without scouting; occasional maneuvering may be required, but rocks and medium-sized waves are easily missed by trained paddlers; swimmers are seldom injured and group assistance, while helpful, is seldom needed.
Class III: Rapids with moderate, irregular waves which may be difficult to avoid and which can swamp an open canoe; complex maneuvers in fast current and good boat control in tight passages or around ledges are often required; large waves or strainers may be present but are easily avoided; strong eddies and powerful current effects can be found, particularly on large-volume rivers; scouting is advisable for inexperienced parties; injuries while swimming are rare; self-rescue is usually easy but group assistance may be required to avoid long swims.
Skill level required: Paddlers should have intermediate skill level (paddlers should be comfortable in the water as well as on it, know a wide variety of paddling strokes, can navigate around hazards, be proficient in class II moving water, knows eddy turns, and can help in rescues.)
Possible hazards or difficult sections of water paddled (other hazards may also be encountered on the trip): This section of Big Creek has 2 rock gardens that are easy to portage around if you feel you cannot paddle them. There are also rapids, two rock gardens (significant rocks that are in the way of the paddler and create obstacles to paddle around, thru, and over), a low water bridge, obstacles to navigate around, possible strainers, creek banks, trees, brush and obstacles that may occasionally find their way into the streambed, among other hazards.
Type of Boat: Whitewater boats are not required but your boat should be plastic and under 15 feet in length.
Participants must bring:
- HELMET (NOT a bicycle helmet)
- a complete change of clothes in a dry bag, if not wearing a dry suit.
- lunch and drinks
- U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD (life jacket)
- “pealess” whistle
For a list of items to bring that might be helpful for new paddlers, here is a link: Kayaking Gear for Every Trip
How to dress: Dress for immersion. A dry suit or wetsuit is needed or change of clothing in a drybag.
Minors are welcome if accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
Please check out the Club Sanctioned Trips forum for additional information, or to ask questions or post comments. Club Sanctioned Trip Info & Comments – St. Louis Canoe & Kayak Club
Risks involved: Paddlesports and related ACTIVITIES INVOLVE RISKS AND DANGERS OF DAMAGE TO PERSONAL PROPERTY AND SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, INCLUDING PERMANENT DISABILITY, PARALYSIS, AND DEATH. These Risks and dangers may be caused by my own actions or inactions, the actions or inactions of others participating, leading, or helping in the Activity, and the condition in which the Activity takes place. There may be OTHER RISKS AND SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC LOSSES either not known to me or not readily foreseeable at this time.
Tip leader. Dave Haessig (314)-304-7970.
You must reserve a ticket for each person attending (see tickets below).
This provides the trip coordinator with important information for safety and communication and gives the club important information we need for reporting to ACA.
If you purchase a ticket for this trip but decide you cannot attend, PLEASE contact the trip leader to let them know.
- If you are an ACA member, please make sure you have an annual waiver signed on their website and have linked your account with St. Louis Canoe and Kayak Club. You must have re-signed this waiver since January 1, 2026 because they have updated their website. Here are instructions: Linking your ACA account to St. Louis Canoe and Kayak..docx
- If you are not an ACA member (American Canoe Association), you will be asked to sign a paper waiver from ACA at the meet-up location.