Plan your trip
Getting to Bull Shoals, where to stay along the river and stocking up for race week.
Getting there
The race starts below Bull Shoals Dam in north-central Arkansas, just south of the Missouri line, and finishes 120 river miles downstream in Batesville.
Check-in is Wednesday afternoon at Bull Shoals–White River State Park, below the dam near Lakeview. From there the race moves downstream every day: Norfork on Thursday night, Sylamore on Friday night and Batesville on Saturday.
Each team needs an adult driver who follows the race by road to shuttle paddlers between quick changes, so plan on bringing at least one vehicle per team. Batesville is about a two-hour drive from Bull Shoals, so think about how you'll get drivers and trailers back to the start if you leave anything there.
Turn-by-turn directions for every leg are in the race guide, and the whole course is on the race map.
| Nearest airports | To Bull Shoals | To Batesville |
|---|---|---|
| Springfield–Branson, MO (SGF) | About 2 hr | About 3½ hr |
| Little Rock, AR (LIT) | About 3 hr | About 1½ hr |
| Northwest Arkansas (XNA) | About 3 hr | About 3½ hr |
| Memphis, TN (MEM) | About 4½ hr | About 2¼ hr |
Approximate drive times. Rental cars are available at all four airports.
Where to stay
Every paid entry includes three nights of camping with the race. If you'd rather have a bed, these towns are close to the camps and quick changes. Motels are booked separately and aren't included in the entry fee.
Included with entry
Wednesday at Bull Shoals–White River State Park, Thursday at Quarry Park above Norfork Dam, and Friday near Sylamore. Tent sites have picnic tables and electric hookups, with showers and restrooms nearby.
Camping detailsNear the start · Wed & Thu
The biggest town near the start, about 20 minutes from both Bull Shoals Dam and Norfork, with the most motels, restaurants and grocery stores on the route.
Mountain Home lodgingThe start · Wednesday
Small lake towns right by the dam and the state park, with lake resorts and cabins. Handy if you want to be close to the start on Thursday morning.
State park infoFriday quick change
A small river town under the bluffs it’s named for, with a fishing motel right by the launch.
Near the day 2 finish · Friday
A few minutes from the Sylamore finish, with inns, cabins and the Ozark Folk Center State Park. Known for live music on the courthouse square.
Mountain View visitor guideThe finish · Saturday
The finish town, with hotels and restaurants for families staying the night after the awards dinner.
July is busy on the lakes and rivers around Bull Shoals, so book rooms early.
Food & supplies
Entry includes four evening meals, Wednesday through Saturday. Breakfast and lunch are up to each team, and race mornings start early: boats need to be at the water by 7:30 AM, and there's no time to go back to camp after the start.
Mountain Home is the best place to shop before the race starts. Mountain View and Batesville have grocery stores later in the week. Bring coolers, plenty of water and ice, and snacks the drivers can hand off at quick changes.
Fill up the gas tank before each day. The roads between quick changes are rural, and drivers need to beat the boats to every stop.
Off the water
The race finishes early enough most days to enjoy the Ozarks. Families and support crews have even more time while the boats are out.
The White River below Bull Shoals Dam is famous for trout, and the first two afternoons are free. Anyone 16 or older needs an Arkansas fishing license, available online from the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission.
The river stays around 50°F, so swim at Bull Shoals Lake, Norfork Lake on Thursday, or Blanchard Springs Recreation Area on Friday.
The recreation area near Mountain View has swimming and trails. Blanchard Springs Caverns closes for renovations after the 2026 season, with a reopening expected in 2028.
The state park in Mountain View celebrates Ozark music and crafts, a short drive from the Friday finish.
A race tradition: ice cream in Calico Rock or Mountain View on Friday, and cookies from the Calico Rock 20/20 Club at the quick change.
Thursday night at Quarry Park. Singing, skits, comedy and “other things,” with an award for the winners. Have your act ready.