Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Hi all, first post here,

Hope some veteran Buffalo paddlers can help me out.
I'll be visiting family in AR in late April/early May 2011 and want to canoe the Buffalo river. I'm a solid intermediate paddler. Probably 2 people on the trip 1 canoe, possibly a second canoe with 2 other solid paddlers/swimmers. We'd want to do at least 2-4 nights on the river, camping out of course. Will be renting boats and needing shuttle service etc.

What sections of the river would you recommend? We won't mind doing easy flatwater, but don't want to be doing all technical runs either.

Right now thinking of starting at Ponca. How far could we feasibly make it downriver in say 4 days? I'd also like to do the lower Buffalo wilderness area, but assume this is impossible in a 4 day timeframe starting in Ponca.

(a side question: how long does it take to do the entire river?)

What's the best trip we can do in this timeframe?
Any and all recommendations kindly accepted!

Thanks much,

john

In a normal year, late April / early May could give you a trip from Ponca to Carver in 3 to 4 days with side hikes included.

Here's the thing, even in a normal year during the spring , you want to keep an eye on the levels at Ponca. Even with the river primed, one week of no rain can drop the levels between Ponca and Kyle's Landing enough that you might not wanna get on it with a loaded boat.

Thanks Randy,

I really appreciate the info and am very excited about the trip, the more I read the nicer it sounds.

Please excuse my total newbie questions here- for example:

Is camping allowed only at designated campsites or can you pick your own site? Any links to regs on campsites?

Thanks again,

john

Below is a link to a four night/five day Buffalo trip report (and some great photos) from earlier in the year:

http://forums.arkansascanoeclub.com/vie ... 52#p100852" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

We averaged about 14 mi/day because we like to paddle :) and the water was at an optimum level to facilitate the distance. You could opt for half that daily mileage if you wanted more time around camp, more side trips, or if the water was lower.

For trip planning, I highly recommend the National Geographic Trails Illustrated maps of the west (#232) and east (#233) halves of the Buffalo. River mileages and access points are shown as well as all the surrounding trails and points of interest. Link below:

http://www.natgeomaps.com/ti_arkansas.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

One of the great things about the Buffalo is that you don't have to camp in designated sites. Below is a link to the NPS page for the Buffalo with additional information.

http://www.nps.gov/buff" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

As Randy said, the Ponca to Pruitt section of the river is very rain dependent even in the spring. The sections below that are floatable for longer periods. Interactive river level map link below:

http://ar.water.usgs.gov/buffaloriver/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hope this helps.

Thank you so much Owl,

Loved the slideshow of your trip and all the info. Those look like fast cruising solos, probably a better choice for the lower river eh? Now I've got options!

That must have been an incredible experience. If only I can have your luck with weather like that. Glad to hear camping is not restricted.

Getting a clearer picture of the river now, you know it's hard from distance and all.

Now I'm surfing real estate in the area, oh boy

john

John,

If you consider moving the date to early April you will have a much better chance to do the upper river sections which are the most beautiful. Best side hikes there too.
You just paddling? Fishing?
Be happy to share info if you have questions. Been enjoying this river for a lifetime and know it from start to finish.

Don
destephe@att.net

Hi BlueHoleDude,

Unfortunately the dates for my trip are fixed, so may have to be content with the lower river. But judging from Owls' and others pics, I'll have no problem staying happy anywhere on the river it seems.

Thanks for the kind offer and for your addy, will be contacting you shortly for more info.

john

You know, Lower River is great for a more wilderness experience. Most of my day trip experience is upper Buffalo but most of my memorable canoe camps experiences have been anywhere from Woolum on down. And it is all spectacular.

Honestly, you might have to leave yourself a little flexibility because the upper river in particular is so rain dependent, but in a normal Spring, anything below Pruitt stays pretty dog-gone reliable unless we have extreme drought. So, Pruitt to Tyler Bend or something ... can't really go wrong.

Thanks JT,

All the info is greatly appreciated and invaluable. I'm seriously considering lengthening this trip to 5 nights, you only live once

john

Because we happen to be in a the midst of a very long dry period right now, I know this isn't at the top of our mind right now, but here's another thing you'll want to be aware of for your Spring trip: flash flooding. The Buffalo can really rise VERY quickly, especially once the Spring rains have already started and the ground is saturated. Heavy localized thunderstorms way upriver in the mountains can cause dramatic river rises further downstream even if you don't see any rain where you are. So it's a good idea to be aware of the weather forecast and patterns on your trip, and especially when choosing your camp each night. Always choose a spot that offers you easy egress away from the river to higher ground (i.e. not with your back up against a bluff!), and if in doubt, use a stick in the gravel to mark the river's level so you can keep an eye on it. A battery operated weather radio depending on the conditions would not be a bad idea. Those are of course recommended practices for any river trip, but the topography around the Buffalo particularly accentuates the flashy nature, so better to be well aware!

You won't regret allowing for a longer trip! It seems no matter how long I stay out there, I'm always sad when that last morning arrives and you realize you won't be on the river again that night.

Have fun, and I hope you'll share a trip report with us!

Hello again,

So my trip is soon at hand. Unfortunately it will have to be short, maybe only 2 nights uggh. I'd prefer not to camp in a NPS or other campground type area if possible. Sorry if I've got the wrong idea about NPS designated areas but, would rather be far from others. Also came upon this info from B.O.C.

Free-Choice Camping
You may camp along the river or hiking trail in a site of your own choosing as long as you stay ½ mile ABOVE or BELOW a designated National Park Service campground. This type of camping is FREE, but certain park service guidelines and regulations do apply such as those relating to trash and fire rings. Check with the NPS headquarters in Harrison at for specific details. Always camp with rising water in mind. Check qualified weather forecast sources before choosing to launch. Choose a camp site that offers an escape out by land.



I can't find any info on this on the NPS site. Is this the law?
Also what's the law on campfires? Is it designated NPS fire rings only?

Thanks again,

John

If solitude is a high priority you can't beat the lower Buffy. The lowest put in is at Rush and there is an outfitter there who can fix you up if you decide to do that float. It's the perfect length for two nights. You'd have time to relax, fish and enjoy the scenery. Camping is permitted anywhere on the river and there are numerous gravel bars to accomodate you. Just use common sense with regard to your campfires. Try to build them where others have before you. That float is class I, so if you're looking for whitewater thrills you'll be disappointed. However, if you're content with solitude, decent fishing and spectacular scenery call this guy and ask him to get you squared away. http://buffaloriverfloatservice.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

oooh sounds good Deuce!

Are there any riffles, rapids on the Lower? Or is it glass like lake flat?

thanks,

john

No, it isn't flat like a lake. Just don't expect any adrenaline rushes. This is a neat page for you to check out when you have time. I find it very useful because it indexes the info that corresponds with each section. The gauge for the lower Buffy is at HWY 14. http://www.troop142bsa.org/buffalo_national_river.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
You should also familiarize yourself with this one at some point. It will give you ideas for other nice floats beside the Buffalo. I went ahead and clicked on Arkansas for you, but there is lots of beta from other states as well. http://southwestpaddler.com/indexAR.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;