Strawberry River.
The Strawberry winds through pasture and low Ozark foothills around Evening Shade, and it is best known to anglers: this is one of Arkansas's storied smallmouth bass streams. As a float it is gentle Class I to II water through genuinely quiet country, with a chain of AGFC accesses spacing out day trips.
Its USGS gauge at Poughkeepsie stopped reporting flow, which makes the Strawberry the poster child for our radar approach: Creek Watch estimates its state purely from NOAA rainfall over the watershed. With 473 square miles of drainage it holds water a bit longer than the small creeks after a good rain.
Strawberry River float trips.
Tap any two access points on the map to build a float and see the distance between them. The trip list below is the no-map fallback.
Where to camp.
Developed campgrounds are sparse on the Strawberry itself; most floats are day trips from Evening Shade or Cave City. Gravel bar camping exists but land along the river is largely private, so ask before you camp.
While you are here.
The headline act. Bring ultralight gear or a fly rod; the Strawberry is managed with special attention as a premier smallmouth stream.
The tiny namesake town of the 90s sitcom, and the gateway to the best float water.
Timing a rain-fed creek.
Strawberry River only floats after real rain, and drops out within a day or two. Our Creek Watch tracks NOAA radar rainfall over this creek's watershed and flags when a float window is likely opening. Never launch on rising water, and confirm access locally before you drive.
Frequently asked.
Is there a working gauge on the Strawberry River?
Not for flow. The USGS station near Poughkeepsie still reports temperature and rainfall but stopped reporting discharge. Our Creek Watch estimates floatability from NOAA radar rainfall over the river's watershed instead, and labels it clearly as an estimate.
How good is the smallmouth fishing?
Among the best in the Ozarks. The Strawberry is a storied Arkansas smallmouth stream, and the float sections around Evening Shade put you over the best of it. Handle and release the big river fish gently.
How long are the floats?
Hwy 167 to Simstown is 4.7 miles, Simstown to Barnes Bridge 6 miles, Barnes Bridge to Hulett 7.6, and Hulett to Hwy 58 another 2.3. Chain them for anything from a lazy half day to a long full day.
Access points and mileages: American Whitewater reach data and the AGFC access layer (Simstown, Peebles Bluff, Ransom W Smith, Horseshoe Bend, Riverview School). Creek Watch statuses are radar-based estimates, not gauge readings.