Monroe County
Robe Bayou Water Trail
- From I-40, take exit 193 in Prairie County and go south on U.S. Highway 63 for 2.5 miles.
- Turn east on U.S. Highway 70 and travel 20 miles.
- Turn north on Dagmar Road at the Sheffield Nelson Dagmar Wildlife Management Area sign.
- Bear left at miles 1.2 and 1.6; travel 2.2 miles to the access.
Quick Facts
- Download the free Avenza Map app from the App Store on mobile device.
- Choose a trail and tap on the geo-referenced map.
- Tap on the map again and choose “Open in Avenza Maps” or choose “More” and tap on the Avenza Map icon.
- Map is saved in Avenza Map app.
- A blue dot marks your location on the map.
- The trail map uses the phone’s GPS. If cell reception is poor, put phone on airplane mode to conserve power.
- Download the free Avenza Map app from the App Store on mobile device.
- Choose a trail and tap on the geo-referenced map.
- Tap on the three dots in the upper-right corner.
- Choose “Send File” and tap the Avenza Map icon.
- Map is saved in Avenza Map app.
- A blue dot marks your location on the map.
- The trail map uses the phone’s GPS. If cell reception is poor, put phone on airplane mode to conserve power.
Water Trail Length
4.5 miles (Robe Bayou flows south)
Float Time
Expect to travel 1-2 miles per hour.
River Conditions
Robe Bayou usually is a flat-water float, although heavy rain and high water create dangerous conditions. Watch for snags and logjams. Paddle upstream or downstream from this access. The trail ends at a weir that holds water in the bayou near Interstate 40. Respect private property marked by fences, signs or purple paint.
Warning
A footbridge blocks the channel about 1 mile north of the boat launch. Portage around this bridge to paddle farther north on the bayou.
Don’t Get a Ticket
According to Arkansas law, children 12 and under must wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket and anyone in a boat must have one ready to use. Vessels 16 feet and longer must have a throwable life preserver aboard. Glass containers are illegal in boats such as canoes and kayaks that can be easily swamped. Paddlers must securely fasten cooler lids, use attached litter containers and use floating holders for beverages.
Important Numbers
Monroe County EMS
911
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office
870-747-3811
AGFC Brinkley Regional Office
833-345-0283
Cache River National Wildlife Refuge
870-347-2614
Stop Poaching Hotline
833-356-0824
Watch for barred owls, prothonotary warblers, red-headed and pileated woodpeckers, great blue herons, wintering bald eagles and a variety of waterfowl. Beavers, muskrats, deer and raccoons travel and feed in and around the bayou. Cypress-tupelo brakes are scattered throughout low-lying areas; some cypress trees are more than 850 years old. The forest is sweetgum, and overcup, water and Nuttall oaks. Bottomland hardwood forests have become fragmented. The Cache-Lower White Rivers Wetland of International Importance includes Sheffield Nelson Dagmar Wildlife Management Area and Cache River National Wildlife Refuge.
The bayou offers fishing for crappie and bream. Minnows, jigs, spinners and light line are recommended. Fish for catfish on the bottom with worms, minnows and stink baits. Check AGFC regulations.
Hunters pursue deer, waterfowl and small game on the area. Boating hours are limited during waterfowl seasons. Furbearer trapping is permissible on the WMA. Check the current Arkansas Hunting Guidebook for details and wear hunter orange when appropriate. Leash pets for their safety.
Check weather forecasts and file a float plan; tell someone where you’re going and when you expect to return. Plan your trip so your paddling skills are equal to the water conditions.
Lake Hickson, Bayou DeView and Apple Lake Waterfowl Rest Area offer other local paddling opportunities (check AGFC regulations for seasonal access). Check out nearby Bayou DeView Water Trail.