Need help with canoeing trip...

[JohnBDawg]

Me and several guys are interested in coming to Arkansas memorial weekend canoeing. We would like to camp at least one night on the river. We want to hit the rural, senenic areas where there is a chance to see wildlife.

When I look for places to canoe is Arkansas there are so many, I dont know what to choose. Where is the best places to go and where can you access them?

[Clif]

You got your own boats? or need to rent?

[Owl]

There should be a lot of "wild" life on the Spring River that weekend...

Serioulsy though, the middle or lower Bufalo would be my recommendation. Below is a link to one of the outfitters in the area:

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

[mb]

The Memorial Day weekend is why it is thought that Jesus walked on water. It looked that way from a distance. He was really walking on canoes and kayaks.

[Trismegistus]

Cadron Creek may be what you're looking for -- certainly no crowds, nice scenery and ample opportunity to observe wildlife. Two days: Put in at Highway 124 bridge, paddle down to Batesville Mt., camp overnight and complete trip by taking out at Highway 65 bridge. For a third day -- spend a second night at the Alum River Camp and finish out the next day by taking out at Highway 285 bridge. You'll likely have most of the river all to yourselves -- spirited but generally safe Class I+/II run -- a bump up from the Buffalo -- and generally runnable during Memorial weekend. If interested -- drop me a line and I can make arrangements for boats and shuttle if needed.

[ggman]

The Buffalo River is a beautiful place to be in the spring!! Just the toughest thing to get by is Grey Rock but what the HAY I made it by Grey Rock 30 years ago and I am 35...I wished!!!! LOL ok maybe 10 years ago ...seriously..your troop will love it..plenty of exploring and fun for the young guys..plenty of stories for a lifetime for everyone!!!

[scott yarbrough]

If you want to party go to Spring River. If you want to have a beautiful, nice and relaxing float on Memorial Day Weekend go to the Buffalo. More specifically, if you have your own boats put in at Mt. Hershey and float down.(Not many outfitters service that area of the river because the shuttle is so long) The long shuttle lessens the crowds on that part of the river and Mt. Hershey on down "usually" still has water by the end of May. Enjoy.

[JohnBDawg]

Thanks!!! I will have to rent canoes so what is a good company on the Buffalo and Spring. What towns are they in or close to.

[mb]

It depends on which part of the river you plan on floating. The most popular area seems to be Ponca and Jasper. In Ponca there are two renters/shuttle companies. Lost Valley 870-861-5522. I think this one has been there the longest.

Buffalo Outdoor Center; They have a web site. However, the web site just plain lies about telling people that the river is floatable when it is not.

[fettsway]

Don't intend to hijack this thread, but like the OP I am hoping to float a spot like the buffalo as well.

I want to float a section of the buffalo this spring or summer that is scenic, peaceful and absent of the party goers. I have my own kayak and would like the outfitter to shuttle me (and my boat and small dog) up river and then float down to my vehicle at their campsite, and then I would camp out of my truck. Hopefully my truck would be safe at their site. Just a day float in somewhat gentle to moderate river flow.

http://www.buffaloriveroutfitters.com/canoes.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Looking at the access point choices in the shuttle rates chart, what would you guys recommend?

[Eric Esche]

Richard McFadden and many others in ACC could and will probably chime in here, but from what I have seen so far, the Carver to Baker's Ford sections are some of the least traveled sections of the Buffalo. I've only done parts of those sections, but they were all very scenic, quiet, and worth doing again. I also liked the Maumee to Dillard's Ferry (HW 14 Bridge) section, that we did for the fall river clean up. The ranger that accompanied us on this section said it isn't very heavily used. Definately get Ken Smith's book, Buffalo River Handbook, and the waterproof National Geographic east and west maps of the Buffalo if you are going to paddle the Buffalo. They are references worth having and keeping. Bet you wind up doing several sections of the Buffalo and will want to see the others.

Never have had a vehicle security issue yet on the Buffalo and base camping while paddleing over there works well.

Eric