City: East Hannibal, IL
County: Pike County
Type: Boat Ramp
Location: 39.71869000, -91.35271900
Air Temp: --
Location
Live Webcam
Nearby Gauge Conditions
Real-time data from USGS Water Services
Whitewater Runs on Mississippi River
1 run
There are no whitewater runs within 50 miles of this access site.
These whitewater runs are on the same river but located more than 50 miles from this access site.
Difficulty Classes
I Easy
II Novice
III Intermediate
IV Advanced
V Expert/Extreme
VI Unrunnable
Whitewater data from
American Whitewater
About This Access Site
John Hay Recreation Area offers day-use boat access to the Mississippi River in East Hannibal, Illinois, located just south of the I-72 Mark Twain Memorial Bridge and accessible via Illinois 106. This Corps of Engineers site features a boat ramp, pit toilet facilities, and a small campground along the riverbank with views across to Hannibal, Missouri. The site is ideal for kayakers, canoeists, and boaters launching onto the Mississippi.
The Mississippi River at this location is a major waterway with substantial flow (averaging over 685,000 cubic feet per second) and moderate current velocity around 11 feet per second. Paddlers should be prepared for a large, powerful river with significant water movement. The river's relatively gentle gradient (0.8 ft/mile average) means you're well downstream from its headwaters, making for generally stable conditions typical of the lower Mississippi, though current and traffic from larger vessels are always considerations.
Note that the site has undergone renovation work in recent years, so it's advisable to confirm current access and facility status before visiting. Check locally for any seasonal closures, facility updates, or parking information. The site provides a convenient launch point for exploring the Mississippi's sandbars, sloughs, and backwater areas in this historically significant region.
The Mississippi River at this location is a major waterway with substantial flow (averaging over 685,000 cubic feet per second) and moderate current velocity around 11 feet per second. Paddlers should be prepared for a large, powerful river with significant water movement. The river's relatively gentle gradient (0.8 ft/mile average) means you're well downstream from its headwaters, making for generally stable conditions typical of the lower Mississippi, though current and traffic from larger vessels are always considerations.
Note that the site has undergone renovation work in recent years, so it's advisable to confirm current access and facility status before visiting. Check locally for any seasonal closures, facility updates, or parking information. The site provides a convenient launch point for exploring the Mississippi's sandbars, sloughs, and backwater areas in this historically significant region.