White River Float Camping

[Deuce]

Thinking about floating from Calico Rock to Guion at the end of September. Ideally I'd like to camp two nights, but I'm wondering to what extent camping opportunities will be impacted by water conditions. Does anyone know how gravel bar camping is on that stretch? I've been up from Boswell Shoals to Calico Rock and down from Boswell Shoals to Mount Olive many times at many different levels, but always in a john boat while camped at Boswell, so I don't really remember what the river camping situation is. I don't want to be mid-way through the trip and find I can't camp because everything but private river bank is inaccessible.

[Richard]

River right from Buffalo City to Allison is national forest. Unfortunately inholdings (private property) have taken all of the potentially good camp spots except for Boswell Shoals. The AG&FC has launch areas and camping is allowed at some of these. Mt Olive is one. I have not been beyond Allison so I am not familiar with that section.
For that reason, when I have done two night trips, I have put in at Norfork, camped at Red's Landing and at Boswell Shoals and taken out at Allison.

[Deuce]

Really like to introduce a youngster to sand/gravel bar camping. Is there none to be had between Norfork and Calico Rock? Maybe camp somewhere in that stretch the first night, second night at Boswell, then take out at Sylamore on day three thereby putting the longest day in the middle of the float?

[southsidefire29]

if you can wait till around 13 or 14th of october planing a float trip from norfork to guion

[southsidefire29]

richard is Red's Landing on the left bank or right bank

[Richard]

Between Norfork and Calico Rock there are two camping options; Reds Landing and Chesmond Ferry. Both are on river left and both are owned by the AG&FC. Each has a caretaker that collects camping fees. There are some islands along the way but I would not suggest camping on them.
If you want gravel bar camping, nothing beats the Buffalo.

My three day floats on the White have always been:
Day 1: 7.6 miles - Norfork to Reds Landing
Day 2: 16.9 miles - Reds Landing to Boswell Shoals
Day 3: 9.9 miles - Boswell Shoals to Allison

Right now there is good flow. Once the lake levels dip into the conservation pools the generation will be reduced and the flow will slow. I floated in November a few years ago and getting from the river to Reds landing required dragging the canoe over a very rocky and dry river bottom. Therefore I would suggest going while they are still generating.

Also, keep in mind that the river turns south at Calico Rock and you most likely will encounter canoe spinning headwinds from there to Allison.

[Deuce]

Buffy would definitely be my first choice, but I'm doubtful there will be enough water. If I turn out to be wrong we'll be headed up there lickety split.

[wally]

duece,
you are planning too far ahead. i just returned from a beautiful 3 day two night trip on the buffalo from grinders ferry to south maumee. this was made possible by the rain this past wekend which raised the river by a foot. be prepared and when the rain comes in september, load up and go. every section of the buffalo has numerous gravel bars that offer excellent camping, swimming and bathing. the gravel bars are also home to racoons so make sure you have some rope for hanging food. they won't disturb you but will not miss a stray candy bar or cracker left in the tent or laying around. i hope you have a great time and yes gravel bar tent camping is incomparable to campground camping for the solitude and the beauty and on the buffalo you are never far from a magnificent bluff view.
best wishes,
wally

[Jim Krueger]

I would suggest that the floating conditions may well change by the end of September, so I'd sure plan for the trip wherever it may be, but do wait until a week or so before to narrow the destinations. Your first inclination was The Buffalo, and that would be what I'd try and go for too! IMHO.
If it remains too dry, The Ouachita River from Rockport to Arkadelphia will be floatable, and with good gravel bars, but the Buff. would be my first choice.

Best Regards
Jim