Buffalo National River - Arkansas

[DblD]

This past weekend (April 18-20) was spent with twenty or so of our friends canoeing, kayaking and camping on the upper Buffalo River. No trip would be complete without a pack mule. Here’s a photo of the Rover getting a workout; also a few shots from the float trip.

We hauled nine kayaks, one canoe and camping gear for my wife and I for the weekend. We floated from Ponca Low Water Bridge to Kyles Landing where we had setup camp. If you’re ever in North Central AR check out the Buffalo National River.

dd

 

[KSJeep]

DD,

Looks like a great time, the Buffalo is a "must do" on our list also. How were the water levels, heard they can be pretty low in places??

 

[The BN Guy]

Very cool!

Ya know I lived in Arkansas for seventeen years and we never went to the Buffalo. Heard lots of great things about it though.

My parents floated it a couple of years ago and were stunned at how clear the water was. The river bottom appeared right below the canoe yet it was really closer to twenty feet below!

 

[Dave]

Beautiful river and great pictures! When we went a few years ago, the water was too low to set out from Ponca. I can't remember were we put in, but we took out at Mt. Hersey after a two day float. With all the rain this year, I bet the water levels were pretty good for your trip!

 

[adventureduo]

Looks like fun! Thanks for sharing!

 

[Nullifier]

I paddled that river about 4 years ago as a day trip in august. Paddled about 12 miles down to the town of Gilbert. Spectacular river! we definetly want to go back there again.

 

[DblD]

Usually the upper part of the Buffalo can only be paddled until early June or after a heavy summer rain shower. We’ve had enough rain this spring to keep the river flows up so far. The day we floated the water level was 21 inches below the Ponca Low Water Bridge. That is considered “moderate” water and was perfect for first time kayakers in our group. For anyone considering floating the Buffalo here are a couple good websites that I refer to often.

Buffalo Outdoor Center
http://www.buffaloriver.com/default.aspx

Buffalo River Hydrologic Data System – site goes down often but valuable info when it’s working.
http://www.buffaloriverandrain.com/index.html

The lower Buffalo – below Carver Access is generally floatable year round.


dd