[Bayoukid]

Just wondering how many folks on here are into the outdoors? Anybody here like canoeing and/or kyacking the scenic rivers of Arkansas? Or camping and/or hiking along the many miles of trails in Arkansas?

When I was a kid, here in North Louisiana, my parents had a tradition of going camping in Arkansas. Whether it was Albert's Pike or Devel's Den or any place inbetween, it was always something new every year. Now that I am grown with a 15 year old son, I continue that tradition of being a part of the great outdoors and I get my son involved in it as well. We have actually chose to go canoeing and camping over going to the white sands of Ft. Walton and Destin, Flordia. My son has actually chose to go kyacking over going to Six Flags over Texas.

For the past 10 years, I have been hooked on the Buffalo River. I have almost been the entire length with the exception of the Rush to the White River section. The longest trip was a 72 mile trip from Ponca to the landing just below Tyler's Bend that we did in 5 days. Normally, we do a 3 day/2 night trip over the weekend that may consist of about 22 miles or so. I love fishing for smallies in the current with an ultra lite with light gear, catch and release of course. I have been checking out some of the other rivers that Arkansas has to offer, such as the Mulberry, Spring, Big Piney and even Cadron Creek. I am ready to move up to a Class II/III.

If you are into the outdoors, there is just sooooo much to do in Arkansas. And what I love about it is, it doesn't cost an arm and a leg to do it. With the cost of gas prices these days, it really can make a difference on someone with a low budget.

So, anybody here want to share any camping stories and/or pictures of vacations along the rivers of Arkansas?

[firebll31]

Although we live in SW MO, we love to go to Ark. for outdoor activities as well. We are into hiking and kayaking (recreational, not whitewater). We have floated the Mulberry and are planning a trip on the Buffalo for June. We have also hiked in Devil's Den and Petit Jean State Parks and plan to do more. My hubby took me on a surprise trip to Crater of Diamonds on Valentine's Day. Unfortunately, we didn't find any keepers!

We will be needing a good outfitter for our June trip-probably 10 canoes and shuttle for our 2 kayaks-can you recommend one?

[Bayoukid]

Originally Posted by firebll31

We will be needing a good outfitter for our June trip-probably 10 canoes and shuttle for our 2 kayaks-can you recommend one?

I have used the same outfitter, Wild Bill's Outfitter - Home , for about 10 years now, with no complaints. They are located a couple of miles West of the Hwy 14 bridge, at the turn off to Buffalo Point. There are quite a few along the Buffalo and it really all depends on where you want to put in and take out and the amount of time you would like to spend on the water. Depending on the river level, you may be able to put in further up stream in June. However, if the water isn't right, you will be dragging. The scenery, in my opinion, is much better on the upper to middle part of the Buffalo. The bluffs seem to be a little taller and more often. However, the middle to lower end has beautiful scenery as well and is perfect for a casual float trip. North Maumee to the Hwy 14 bridge is a pretty good day float.


Will yall be camping somewhere, staying in a cabin or motel? About how much time do you want to spend on the water? A day trip? A couple of days? Will you be fishing? If you can answer those questions, I can get a better idea of what you need.


Below is a link to ALL the outfitters on the Buffalo:
Buffalo National River - Canoe Rentals (U.S. National Park Service)

And here is a link to watch the river gauge:
Buffalo National River Hydrologic Data System (broken link)




This shot was taken from the side of the camping area at Buffalo Point:





This is a pic of the swimming area at Buffalo Point:





And this pic is at the put in at North Maumee:

[Capt. Dan]

Will be camping/fishing Lake Greeson and The Little Missouri River in the middle of May with my grandson. CANT WAIT!!

[luvarkansas]

Yep, another Arkansas nature lover here. My family has a small cabin in Arkansas. We go there as much as we can. My kids love it, too. We've never been to Six Flags, Disney World, or even Branson, but the kids have been just as happy as they can be to be out in the woods at the cabin, and I don't feel they've been "deprived" at all....just the opposite, as a matter of fact.

We haven't had a chance to float anything yet, although my brother has, and he loved it. We would love it, too, I know we would, and we will do it someday.

To me, the best part of the Buffalo River is around Ponca. The bluffs at Steel Creek are the highest and longest continuous bluff line on the river....driving down to Steel Creek campground and catching a glimpse of the bluffs through the trees on your way down is positively awe-inspiring.

The Mulberry River is beautiful, too...everybody go on up to the Turner Bend General Store and rent a canoe from Brad and give him some business! There is also a campground, or if you're not into roughing it (I'm not!) he also has a few "cabins" for rent....they're really more like little townhouses, VERY nice! He recently bought some more land right on the river and is making another rental. I think it is supposed to be finished pretty soon, if not already. Here is the web site for that: Arkansas Whitewater Rafting Mulberry River Canoe Rental Mulberry River Kayak Rental Mulberry River Arkansas Rafting Rental Whitewater Canoeing Mulberry River Stock up before you get out there if you plan on making your own meals....the closest grocery store (besides the basics at Turner Bend) is 17 miles away! There is a little cafe in Oark....it does a lot of business, but I haven't enjoyed the 2 times I've eaten there. But they have live music on the weekends, I think, and make hot lunches and have fried fish and such. It's a pretty good drive out there from Turner Bend, but the drive follows the Mulberry for most of the way, and it's worth the drive just for that! It's just beautiful. Just a couple of miles further, past the Oark General Store, is another little "town" (haha) called Catalpa, and there is a General Store there also that serves plate lunches....and they are WONDERFUL! We ate lunch there on a Sunday last time we were in Arkansas (they have them every day, though)....roast pork loin, mashed potatoes, country vegetables, huge, delicious yeast rolls, homemade pies for dessert....the kids got burgers and curly-Q's and said they were great. Now, if you're not into nature and "rustic", all this will not interest you. Both places are clean, though. The guy who runs the Catalpa General Store is very "hillbilly" looking, but clean and friendly....not to mention a great old-fashioned country cook!

Just north of the Turner Bend Store a few miles is the "Pig Trail"....an Arkansas scenic drive...and it IS scenic. If you just keep on driving for a little more than an hour, you'll be in Eureka Springs, and the drive there is half the fun! In Ozark (south of Turner Bend) there is a good flea market on the river, in a neat old building. I'm not remembering what it's called, but it's right on the river next to the old train depot that they turned into a museum....not hard to find. Also there is a BBQ place in Ozark that is supposed to be very good....can't remember the name of it. Ozark is a neat little town....the bridge over the Arkansas River is a pretty bridge, and lit up at night....drive east out of town a little ways and go up to the Army Corps of Engineers site....there is a park on top of a bluff there with an overlook that gives you a good view of the bridge and the dam, which is also interesting.

These are the kinds of places we like best....out of the way, off the beaten path, relatively unknown. But the Turner Bend/Oark area is so beautiful, and the food at the Catalpa General Store so good, I just had to tell y'all about them.

There is just no end to the things to do outdoors in Arkansas. In the area our cabin is in it is a pleasure just to make a trip to the store! And every season brings a new kind of beauty. I would love to retire there someday, have a little homestead, grow a garden, have a few chickens, and just spend most of my time outside enjoying the mountains.

I guess I went on a bit long, but I just love Arkansas!

[txgal0919]

Originally Posted by Bayoukid

I have used the same outfitter, Wild Bill's Outfitter - Home , for about 10 years now, with no complaints. They are located a couple of miles West of the Hwy 14 bridge, at the turn off to Buffalo Point. There are quite a few along the Buffalo and it really all depends on where you want to put in and take out and the amount of time you would like to spend on the water. Depending on the river level, you may be able to put in further up stream in June. However, if the water isn't right, you will be dragging. The scenery, in my opinion, is much better on the upper to middle part of the Buffalo. The bluffs seem to be a little taller and more often. However, the middle to lower end has beautiful scenery as well and is perfect for a casual float trip. North Maumee to the Hwy 14 bridge is a pretty good day float.


Will yall be camping somewhere, staying in a cabin or motel? About how much time do you want to spend on the water? A day trip? A couple of days? Will you be fishing? If you can answer those questions, I can get a better idea of what you need.


Below is a link to ALL the outfitters on the Buffalo:
Buffalo National River - Canoe Rentals (U.S. National Park Service)

And here is a link to watch the river gauge:
Buffalo National River Hydrologic Data System




This shot was taken from the side of the camping area at Buffalo Point:





This is a pic of the swimming area at Buffalo Point:





And this pic is at the put in at North Maumee:

where is this at? It is beautiful! I would love to go there

[luvarkansas]

Originally Posted by txgal0919

where is this at? It is beautiful! I would love to go there

Buffalo Point Campground is at the very bottom of Marion County, off of Hwy. 14. The river in the Steel Creek area is much prettier and more dramatic, but the Steel Creek Campground is more primitive and isolated....just water, no electric or sewer. There is another campground not far away in Ponca, but not sure if electric or not, but it's right in the middle of "town". haha I've only been there to use their bathroom facilities. Maumee is in the top of Searcy County, just a little south and west of Buffalo Point. I've never been there, so I don't know about the camping facilities there.

Truth is, the whole of the Buffalo is beautiful, even at its least pretty part!

[Bayoukid]

luvarkansas, you have hit a nerve, in my stomach, lol! The next time I go that way, I will be looking for that General Store that serves the country cookin'! That sounds like it is right up my alley!



Lt. Dan, The Little Mo is small in size but, large when it comes to scenery. I can't say much about the fishing there but, I know the hiking trails are something to see. From the campgrounds all the way up to Little Mo Falls. They have nice campgrounds, running water, hot showers and a toilet facility. Here are a few pics of the Little Mo and Little Mo Falls:




txgal0919, as luvarkansas said, those pics are from the Buffalo Point Campground, just NW of the Hwy 14 bridge that goes over the Buffalo. It is nestled in the valley between Yellville and Marshall. Most campgrounds along the Buffalo are primitive. I know that Tyler Bend and Buffalo Point has campgrounds where you can get a hot shower. The others, I believe, just have running water and vaulted toilets. However, all the campgrounds are on the river and are nice. Just to mention a few of those campgrounds on the upper section would be Steel Creek, Hasty, Ozark, Kyles, Carver, Woolum and Erbie, not in that order. Below is a link that will show you a breakdown of the river, what you will see and what services and campgrounds are there:
GORP - Buffalo River - Arkansas

Also, as luvarkansas said, the upper region on the Buffalo is "more scenic" than the middle and lower but, that is to take nothing away from the lower end. The bluffs are closer and taller in the upper region and is a sight from the water. There are many things to see along the river in the upper region such as Hemmend-n-Hollow, Richland Creek and the Little Buffalo. However, if you are going to fish and looking for those smallies, I would suggest the middle to lower region.

Here is a pic of a bluff in the upper region. I can't remember exactly where:

[Capt. Dan]

Bayoukid--thank you for the pics! Just wondering. Have you or anyone else reading this ever fished the Caddo River?

[Bayoukid]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Bayoukid--thank you for the pics! Just wondering. Have you or anyone else reading this ever fished the Caddo River?

I haven't personally. I have walked the banks at Caddo Gap scouting and seen fish but, never wetted a hook there. I've been wanting to make a run down the river and haven't got to do that yet either. It is a very interesting area with some great history.