Okatoma
The Okatoma River is probably the most well-known destination for paddlers in South Mississippi and possibly in the whole state. It has its headwaters all the way up near MS Highway 540 and Blackwell Rd. to the East of Mendenhall, and winds about 50 miles until it empties into Bowie Creek, turning it into the Bouie River. (See, Ernest Herndon, Canoeing Mississippi (2001).
The river gets its name from Choctaw words meaning "Shining Water". (New Choctaw Dictionary, First Edition, 2016. Oka -water, Tomi - shine)
We, along with Herndon don't consider the River navigable until it reaches the vicinity of Collins, MS. We have paddled the Okatoma in three sections from Collins to the Bouie with the exception of a small section from the Okatoma Outdoor Post in Sanford to the Lux Road bridge.
The Okatoma River is popular because, in a fairly short stretch of river is hosts numerous rapids with a few Category 2 rapids. There are at least 2 well-known outfitters that do a booming summer business renting canoes and kayaks, the Okatoma Outdoor Post and Seminary Canoe Rental. Both run pick up and drop off points from the Seminary bridge to their own private river front landings near Sanford. And for a small fee, they will allow you to use their landings as pick up and drop off points for your own canoes.
Click Below for NOAA Okatoma River Water Level at Sanford, MS
LANDINGS - DIRECTIONS
Collins to Seminary
OKATOMA CREEK
COLLINS, MS TO SEMINARY, MS
Launch – Kola Rd., Collins, MS (Gravel drive to concrete boat ramp)
Take Out - E. Main St., Seminary, MS (Gravel road to primitive sandbar)
Distance -6.4 miles
Time - 3 hours
Features (in order)-
Collins Waterfall - @ mile 0
Dunk Branch - @ mile 1.15 On Left
Kelly Creek - @ mile 3.77 On Right
Unnamed Stream - @ mile 6.15 On Left
Railroad Bridge - @ mile 15.45
Take Out on Left
Drive from Hattiesburg Train Station to Kola Rd. Launch - 27 miles (33 minutes)
Drive from Kola Rd. Launch to E. Main St. Landing - 6 miles (7 minutes)
Drive from E. Main St. Landing to Hattiesburg Train Station - 22 miles (30 minutes)
The Okatoma River/Creek at Collins crosses Kola Rd. at a beautiful, although small, waterfall that stretches the span of the river. Recently (2019) the site at the bridge was improved, and a small concrete landing was constructed.
When we paddled this section of the Okatoma, it was plagued with numerous logjams, but it was beautiful and pristine. When we made the run, we did not encounter a single other boat.
SEMINARY TO SANFORD
OKATOMA CREEK
SEMINARY, MS TO SANFORD
Launch – E. Main St., Seminary, MS (Gravel drive to primitive sandbar)
Take Out - Okatoma Outdoor Post or Seminary Canoe Rental (The canoe rental outfits charge a fee for taking out at their landings)
Distance -9.8 miles
Time - 4-5 hours
Features (in order)-
Big Swamp Creek - @ mile .1
Unnamed stream - @ mile .9 On Left
Double Branch - @ mile 1.46 On Right
Military Branch - @ mile 2.26 On Left
Taylor Branch - @ mile 2.45 On Right
Neely Branch - @ mile 3.68 On Right
Brownie Branch - @ mile 4.4 On Right
Mooney Branch - @ mile 4.84 On Right
Birdie Branch - @ mile 5.9 On Right
Curry Creek - @ mile 6.51 On Left
Bullock Creek - @ mile 9.62 On Left
Hwy. 598 Bridge - @ mile 9.7
Take Out on Right
Drive from Hattiesburg Train Station to E. Main St. Launch - 22 miles (28 minutes)
Drive from E. Main St. Launch to Canoe Rental Landing - 8 miles (10 minutes)
Drive from Canoe Rental Landing to Hattiesburg Train Station - 16 miles (24 minutes)
The section of the Okatoma from Seminary to Sanford is probably the most popular paddling destination in Mississippi, primarily because of its class 1-2 rapids and successful commercialization by local outfitters.
There is a public landing with a concrete boat ramp and a roomy sand bar at the Hwy 590 bridge across the Okatoma. There are take outs at Fairchild Landing which is privately operated by the Okatoma Outdoor Post and at the privately operated Seminary Canoe Rental Landing a little further downstream. Both canoe rental places will allow you to take out at their respective landings for a fee. Last time I checked, it was $5.00 per boat. However, if you want to go it alone without paying the commercial outfits, you will have to paddle all the way to Pep"s Point road or make arrangements with private landowners along the river. We have done this in the past and avoided paying the outfitters.
SANFORD TO LUX
OKATOMA CREEK
SANFORD TO LUX
Launch – Okatoma Outdoor Post or Seminary Canoe Rental (The canoe rental outfits charge a fee for taking out at their landings)
Take Out - Lux Rd. Bridge (Private dirt drive to primitive sandbar - must get owner’s permission)
Distance -5.3 miles
Time - 2.5-3 hours
Features (in order)-
Nichols Branch - @ mile 1.1 On Left
Shelton Creek - @ mile 5.3 On Left
Take Out on Right
Drive from Hattiesburg Train Station to Okatoma Outdoor Post or Seminary Canoe Rental - 16 miles (26 minutes)
Drive from Okatoma Outdoor Post or Seminary Canoe Rental Launch to Lux Rd. bridge Landing - 4.7 miles (7 minutes)
Drive from Lux Rd. bridge Landing to Hattiesburg Train Station - 15 miles (24 minutes)
LUX TO PEP'S POINT RD.
OKATOMA CREEK
LUX TO PEP’S POINT RD.
Launch – Lux Rd. Bridge (Private dirt drive to primitive sandbar - must get owner’s permission)
Take Out - Pep’s Point Rd. (Gravel drive to parking area & concrete boat ramp)
Distance -6.3 miles
Time - 3-4 hours
Features (in order)-
Empties into Bouie River - @ mile 1.5
Providence Creek - @ mile 5.3 On Left
Take Out on Left
Drive from Hattiesburg Train Station to Lux Rd. bridge Launch - 14 miles (24 minutes)
Drive from Lux Rd. bridge Launch to Pep’s Point Rd. Landing - 4.6 miles (8 minutes)
Drive from Pep’s Point Rd. Landing to Hattiesburg Train Station - 10.2 miles (17 minutes)