While there are usually some islands just after the bluffs, this is the point that you will start to see many more islands with trailing sandbars. On a busy weekend in the summer you will find tents on many of them so you need to stop early or be less fussy. . As mentioned, no glass bottles are allowed on the river so there is very little broken glass in the area. For this reason you can walk and swim in the water without fear of cuts. I like to float on the fast currents between islands.
Sandbars are also great spots to stop for lunch or just to explore.
I will camp on these first islands when I am doing an overnighter using the shorter Arena pickup. . If I am going on to Spring Green, I will use the islands just beyond Arena for camping. I like sites that are back from the water and protected from the wind if I am uncertain of the weather, but which will get sun in the morning. Remember to use at least 10 inch tent pegs in the sand in case a wind comes up. . The umbrella is for shade.