WHERE TO CANOE TRIP--Amateur and need some TIPS

[dustin304]

Good Morning..I have never been to Arkansas for a Canoe trip but me and 4 friends are planning a trip at beginning of June for a multi day canoe and camp trip. Can you give me your opinion of the best place in Arkansas to do that. We will be coming from Dallas. I see mostly the hotspot is Buffalo River and i dont know if this is most popular or ONLY place--To be honest we have never been canoeing and just looking to have a good time, drink some cold beers and do some camping on the banks. Any recommendations or tips would be great. Thank you!!

[Jaytee]

If you are new canoeists looking to start out by paddling loaded boats on moving water, that's a tad ambitious. But I don't hold ambition against anyone.

You'll want to pick a Class I river that has reliable water levels in June. Generally, the middle and lower Buffalo (I'd say don't put in any higher than Woolum or so) would give you beginner water conditions and reliable water (except in an extreme drought year, and we're not having one). The Buffalo isn't the only option, but it is famous for good reason, and early June the middle and lower Buffalo are pretty reliable.

There are also outfitters in that area to shuttle your vehicles and rent you gear and give you advice, which is nice for your first outing.

I don't know the south Arkansas rivers but perhaps others can pipe in on some options the other side of I-40.

[joeanddestiny]

My recomendation for a nice float to hang with friends and drink beer would be the spring river. It is spring fed and pretty much floatable all year. June is when I start heading up there because everything else dries up. Depending on your "party" level there are several camps to choose from and they offer canoe rental, shuttle, campfire wood and supplies for a really great price. Google it and check it out on youtube. I think you will be impressed. Note* memorial day, labor day, 4th of july are Crazy! Don't go then unless you're down with Mardi Gras on water! Beads and all!

Feel free to message me if you have any questions.

Joe

[Deuce]

The Spring's not that good for gravel bar camping, which sounds like an integral part of your plan. If so, you won't beat the lower Buffy for the best combination of good gravel bars and easy water for canoe camping, not to mention an abundance of liveries who can outfit your entire trip if necessary. Scenery is outstanding too. That said, there are other options. Check out this link for inspiration. Good luck. http://southwestpaddler.com/indexAR.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[fishhomer75]

You might try the south fork of the spring if you want less crowds. Easy float with great smallmouth fishing. Not the same level of scenery as the buff or king's but still very nice. I have never floated it as late as June, but I think it has steadier water than most of our streams. Josh at south fork resort has camping, canoes, shuttles, whatever you need. And is a great guy to boot. 870 895 2803

[Deuce]

You might try the south fork of the spring if you want less crowds. Easy float with great smallmouth fishing. Not the same level of scenery as the buff or king's but still very nice. I have never floated it as late as June, but I think it has steadier water than most of our streams. Josh at south fork resort has camping, canoes, shuttles, whatever you need. And is a great guy to boot. 870 895 2803

True story. However, not really suitable for float camping. If you did decide to base camp instead you could do the Spring one day and South Fork another. Pretty good hike from the big D though. The Buffy is too, but it's such a treasure that if I were driving that far to float there would be no debate.

[Jaytee]

The way it's raining right now (over 7 inches in the last week, most area rivers well above flood stage) it feels like you'll be able to float wherever you want until December!

But seriously, just see as your time draws closer. Middle and lower Kings often stay floatable after upper Buffalo is too low (call Kings River Outfitters as time gets close; they are a great resource for both Kings River info, War Eagle Creek, etc.... you can find 'em on the web) and ask here closer to trip time.

[deakin]

The lower Kings river by Eureka Springs is a nice camping float and should be class I depending on the rains. I agree about the lower Buffalo though, that's a good float. Will be crowded in June though. The Kings might be easier and Ernie is a nice guy.
I'll be headed up there somewhere in May to try and beat the crowd. I'm hoping to catch the upper Buffalo with the right amount of water. I've only done from Gilbert down to Schipp's Ferry.

David

[Deuce]

Didn't know the lower Buffy ever really got crowded like the rest of the river, but I'm not exactly an expert. I guess it's all relative.

[deakin]

I forgot, my definition of crowded is somewhat different than most. I like having my pick of gravel bars...:)

[Deuce]

I forgot, my definition of crowded is somewhat different than most. I like having my pick of gravel bars...:)

Roger that. Are you a Houston native, or a transplant? Ernie's place is quite a hike from the Lone Star state.

[deakin]

I'm a native Texan but all my relatives are from Arkansas. I floated the Caddo when I was a kid 40 years ago and I still have an aunt in Glenwood.

I found Ernies place on the web though. I like to do 5 or 6 day solo trips and the Kings sounded interesting. Great fishing too. I normally kayak but I just bought a Old Town Appalachian canoe and looking to a trip with more "stuff"...

David

[Deuce]

Oh yeah, the King's is nice. If you ever decide to go up there let me know. I've got a buddy who knows it like his firstborn and is always looking for an excuse to go. Have we officially hijacked dustin's thread yet?

[deakin]

Ha, ok. Yeah, I did the last 65 miles or so before Table Rock. I'd like to get a little further up river if there's water in a couple of weeks. Of course there might be too much which leave me with a whole new problem. There's nothing in Texas right now. I heard that the Rio Grande is already pretty much shutdown from no water. Next week I figure I'll start calling around to see how things look.

Ok, yeah it's officially hijacked...:)

[Deuce]

Ok, yeah it's officially hijacked...:)

That's the risk one takes.