Arkansas Canoe Club Forums

Planning a trip on the Buffalo down to the White. Where is the best place to take out on the White? I've heard that you have to paddle upstream to Buffalo City? How far is this upstream and how difficult would it be with a fully loaded canoe?

I've heard some about Shipp's ferry? How far is this downstream?

Also, is there a good, safe place to leave a vehicle 6-7 days?

Thanks for the help!
Josh

When I did my trip ending at the White, I left my car at Riley's Station which was a secure location. They are located directly across from the mouth of the Buffalo River on the White. If you go to Riley's Station, County Road 640, Mountain Home, AR on Google map and look at the satellite view, you can see the location. To get there, you do need to paddle just a very short distance up stream and then ferry across to the island that is in the middle of the White. Then work a little bit further upstream to cut across the top of the island, and then paddle/ferry on over to their dock. Since the island between the Buffalo and their location is so long, even if the White was flowing strong, you would have the whole length of island to make your ferry and then worse case get out and line your boat up the island to the tip. When we did it with loaded boats it was a very easy ferry though. Since you can't actually see Riley's Station from the Buffalo (because of the island) you just need to know ahead of time how to navigate over there. Nice folks there, and no worries about the cars being left there. Call them for their parking fees, but I recall the rates being quite reasonable.

I'll second everything Ms. Heather says and also recommend Aaron at Buffalo River Float Service if you need a shuttle.

And I'll second Aaron at Buffalo River Float Service. The few times we've used them, the service has been top notch.

Thank you for the info!

A few more questions:
1. Any idea how much a shuttle would cost to Ponca?
2. What is the average/max mileage I should expect in a day with pretty constant paddling?
3. Has anybody floated from Ponca to the White? How long did it take?

Richard,

You're up.

I have done Steel creek(3 miles below Ponca) to the white river three years ago. I did 12-15 miles a day at a relaxing pace you can do more but i was out to enjoy the experience it took a week. it depends also on river flow, weather etc, i took out at rileys nice people. use caution when ferrying the white river, the water is very cold and fast if you flip.
0

A few years ago I took 7 days to do the 100 miles from Pruitt to the White River. I did not push myself but kept a steady pace. Water level is critical. On my trip it was on the lower end of "Ample", which is probably consistent with the term the NPS now calls "Moderate".

I also recommend closely monitoring the weather forecast. The Buffalo like most Arkansas streams can and does flash flood regularly. Several years ago the Buffalo came up 40 (yes, forty) feet overnight. Cell phone service can be spotty. I had a hand held weather radio and was able to get a signal throughout my trip.

The Buffalo is a fantastic place. Wishing you a good trip.

"Stan" (AKA Margaret Bartelt)

A few more questions:
1. Any idea how much a shuttle would cost to Ponca?
2. What is the average/max mileage I should expect in a day with pretty constant paddling?
3. Has anybody floated from Ponca to the White? How long did it take?

1. No idea. I self shuttle but since you are doing the entire river you can arrange shuttle with any of the outfitters.
2. It is all about water levels. 2010 two of us did Ponca to Norfork on the White. Levels were good. Wind was bad. We averaged about 20 miles a day. 7 days. first week in April.
3. see #2.