lower Buffalo

[onariver]

I am planning a canoe camping trip on the buffalo from Hwy.14 to the white river,first week of october. I would appreciate recommendations on shuttles,take out locations, water level requirements, and any other info that might facilitate the trip.Thanks, Steve

[paddledog]

First off, Great float. Oct. should be a great time on a fantastic river.
I don't know about buying a shuttle as I have always set my own.
On the river level, there is almost no min. for that section as you can always get a canoe to
navigate the shoots between the pools, however, use your best judgement on max. level.
If the outfitters aren't renting think twice before putting on.
When it come to the take out, I prefer to to go down river on the White to Ship's ferry take out.
It isn't that far and the river moves well.
There is plenty of sand bars to make camp on, so get a good map and look for them ahead of time
as some of the pools can be a half mile long or longer.
There is AT&T phone reception at the sweet camp that is at the point of the ducks bill.
Look at the map below Rush, you'll see the outline of a ducks head.......

[kru1]

I have always used Wild Bills (870) 449-6235 for my shuttle. Right on the corner of Hwy 14 and the turn to Buffalo Point. I am sure there are a few others. ~75.00 dollars will save you about 6 hours of driving.

I've now use the private take out right on the other side of the Smith Island. It is only two short ferrys to get there, so no paddling upstream. You can make it to Buffalo City with a little effort if they are not generating, but if they are generating it takes a lot of effort and skill because the water is moving quite swift. Someone else will have to chime in with the name of the private campground/cabin rental place. I can see it on Google Earth (County Rd 638), but they are not listed with google.

There was a great campsite/gravel bar about a mile below Big Creek (~mm 142/Woodcock Bluff), there is a big shoal that provides a swift current and all the beautiful noise you could want. The river may have changed since I floated last. I try not to camp the last 3 or 4 miles of the float because John boats can get up there and it is usually crowded. I always try to camp upstream of Elephant Head Rock.

Paddledog is right on with the levels.

kru

[onariver]

hey, Paddledog and Kru. Thanks for the advice. Will likely get wild bill to shuttle. My only question is - above or below the island? Join us on the trip if you can. rollin,rollin,rollin on a river.

[Lupe]

I think Kru is referring to Riley's Station which is on the other side of the island. Once you reach the White, ferry to the upstream end of the island, then around the tip and then ferry again over to Riley's (check it out on Google earth so you get your bearings).

[paddledog]

I have a trout stamp on my fishing licence.
I like having 5 miles of trout water to finish up the trip.....

but no matter what you end up doing it doesn't really matter
as you are in the best place in the world........

[RussellPresley]

I live up here in Flippin. They been running 7 units 24/7 on the White.

[mohawklady]

what days are you going?

[Yarbrough]

Boy Howdy that is a peaceful lazy stretch of river. When everything else is dry that section of the Buffalo holds water. Big long deep pools with a little rapid at the end of each one. Huge gravel bars to stretch out on. Three days for this section is good,,,,, however four is better. I like to drift down to Shipps Ferry, if they are generating, it will be a breeze.

[onariver]

dear brother and sister boaters,
Thanks for the the info. We hope to leave about the first
"rollin on a river"

[RussellPresley]

Dam Information phone number for Bull Shoals and Norfork 1-870-431-5311