Before we begin, I highly recommend you read the National Park’s website on safety while being on the Buffalo River.
The Buffalo National River, located in north central Arkansas, is a 153 mile long river known for its stunning beauty, crystal clear waters, giant limestone bluffs, & diverse wildlife. It was designated as the first national river in the United States preserving it for recreational activities such as hiking, kayaking, canoeing, & camping. Only 1% of the Rivers in the United States are left “wild” & natural, the Buffalo River is one of those. The river is divided into multiple districts for different experiences!
The River Districts
The Buffalo National River is divided into three distinct districts- Upper, Middle, & Lower- each offering unique landscapes, activities, & experiences for visitors to explore & enjoy.
Upper District
Ponca: Known for it’s stunning bluffs & elk viewing opportunities. Popular for hiking trails.
Steel Creek: Offers scenic views & a great spot camping & launching canoe trips. Also great for its multiple swimming holes.
Kyle’s Landing: A popular access point for river activities & home to various hiking trails.
Middle District
Tyler Bend: Features a visitor center with exhibits, as well as trails. It’s a great spot for camping & for river access.
Buffalo Point: The most developed area of the river offering cabins, a restaurant, & numerous hiking trails.
Gilbert: A historic town with charming accommodations & easy river access, ideal for those looking for a quaint base for their adventures.
Lower district
Dillard’s Ferry: A lesser-known but beautiful area for fishing & quieter river experiences.
Rush: A historic mining town with abandoned mines & structures, perfect for history enthusiasts & those interested in exploring unique, less-crowded areas.
Buffalo City: The confluence of the Buffalo & White Rivers, great for fishing & peaceful river views.
Where to Float on the Upper River
Ponca to Kyle’s Landing: 10.7 Miles, 4-6 Hours
This is one of the most popular floats in the Buffalo River area, with massive scenic views of the famous bluffs, particularly Big Bluff, & the largest waterfall between the Rockies & the Appalachians, Hemmed-in-Hollow. There are a lot of places to stop & swim along the way, feel free to meander down the river.
Pruitt to Hasty, 6.8 Miles, 4-6 hours
This is a beautiful float that also features some gorgeous views of the scenic bluffs. There are also a lot of places to stop & swim along the way, so you can make this as long as you want as well.
Keep in mind, if you’re renting canoes & using a shuttle service, they will have requirements on where they can put boats in based on water conditions & water levels. Private boaters can launch where they want, but need to be aware of safety guidelines.
Where to Float on the Middle River
tyler bend to gilbert, 5.5 Miles, 4-6 hours
This can take about 4-6 hours, but we stretch it out to be closer to the 6 hour mark. There are a few notable places to stop, one of them being Grinder’s Ferry. There’s a sweet spot for swimming & jumping off of some big rocks here.
Mt. Hersey to Woolum, 8.6 miles, 4-6 hours
There are some cool bluffs to see & it’s a great spot for floating or tubing.
Where to Float in the Lower River
Spring Creek to Dillard’s Ferry, 4.6 miles, 2-3 hours
This is a good float if you want an adventure but don’t want to be on the water all day. You can make it last as long or as short as you want. At moderate levels, the float can go 2-3 hours. Shuttles aren’t running services here, so a private input would be the only way could float this trip.
Dillard’s Ferry to Rush Landing, 9 miles, 6 hours
In the summer, this tends to be a very calm float. If you want a short float, you can get out at Buffalo Point, but if you want to keep going & spend the day on the water, you can head to Rush Landing. Rush is an epic spot because you can visit the preserved ghost town at Rush & explore the trails there. Great way to learn Buffalo River history! But!! Don’t miss the output at Rush, there’s not another let out spot for 25 more miles.