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Bartrum Canoe Trail Wilderness Paddle in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta

52 Weekends on the Water
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Bartrum Canoe Trail Wilderness Paddle in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta
Region

South

Bodies of Water to Explore

Tensaw River, Apalachee River, & Blakely River

Best Season

Summer

Skill Level

Paddles: 1 – no skill, desire to learn; 2 – moderate, knowledge needed; 3 – advanced, know what’s up

Distances

6.4 Mile Paddle

Trip Duration

1 Day

Recommended Put In & Take Out
  • Put-In: Cloverleaf Landing Boat Launch
    • 6200 Cloverleaf Landing Road, Bay Minette, AL 36507.
    • Coordinates: 30.75492, -87.91693
    • Fee for using Cloverleaf Landing is $5.00 per vehicle.
  • Take-Out: Five Rivers Delta Paddling Center, Bartrum Landing
    • Coordinates: 30.67436272, -87.93359139
Recommended Outfitter

These Outfitters will deliver kayaks to the Five Rivers Paddling Center & Bartrum Landing Kayak Launch

As this trip is primarily on Alabama State lands camping can be reserved by visiting the Alabama State Lands Canoe Trail Reservations Website.

Trip Summary

Explore the vibrant and diverse Mobile-Tensaw Delta, on this 6.4-mile paddle through an area rich in natural beauty and teeming with wildlife. This one-day trip can be enjoyed year-round, with moderate navigation and paddling skills recommended. Begin your adventure at Cloverleaf Landing Boat Launch and navigate through the intricate waterways to the Five Rivers Delta Paddling Center.

Rules and regulations for exploring this area more thoroughly can be found HERE.

Claiborne Dam river stages ranging from 6 to 19 feet on tailrace reading provide optimum water levels for this route. River stages above these values should be considered hazardous. For water level information at Claiborne Dam, call 1-888-771-4601 or check the USGS water-levels at Alabama River Bel Claib. L&d NR Monroeville, Al. – 02428401

Consider exploring the full Bartram Canoe Trail by visiting the Alabama State Lands Canoe Trails website. 

Trail Highlights

Day 1

Total Paddle is 6.4 miles down through the delta to get to the Five Rivers Delta Center. You can use this interactive map provided by the Bartram Canoe Trail through the Alabama State Lands Canoe Trails website.

  • Stop 1: Put-In at Cloverleaf Landing Boat Launch, Coordinates: 30.75492, -87.91693
    • Fee for using Cloverleaf Landing is $5.00 per vehicle.
  • Stop 2: Paddle only a short way to Blakeley State Park which has a Kayak Launch
    • The park is open 365 days a year from 8 AM until dusk. Trail users are asked to call the park gatehouse prior to arrival to register; 251-626-0798. Fees: $5 launch fee, $3 per night parking fee. www.blakeleypark.com
  • Stop 3: From Blakley Park on river left to the Mudhole Creek shelter on river right is about 3 miles and should take you about 1.5 hours. Great fishing can be found at Mudhole Creek.
  • Stop 3: Yancey Branch Campsite
  • Stop 4: Five Rivers Delta Paddling Center, Bartrum Landing
    • Coordinates: 30.67436272, -87.93359139
    • The Bartrum Kayak Landing is just across the Blakely River on river right and a little under 3 miles from the Yancey Branch Campsite. You should reach the Landing about an 1.5 hours after leaving the Yancey Branch Campsite.

Bonus Sightings

The area habitat is loaded with biodiversity just waiting to be explored. For information on the wildlife check out this habitat description from the Alabama State Lands Division:

  • Brackish marsh influenced by river flows from the north and by tides from Mobile Bay to the south. Except for occasional cypress stands, this area is largely without tall trees. Expansive marshes shelter a great number of species of fish, crustaceans, marsh and wading birds, flood-tolerant mammals, reptiles, etc. Please beware of Alligators as they are known to inhabit this area.

Side Ventures & Optional Activities to Add to Your Trip

Non-Paddler Recommendations

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