Top Buffalo River Floats.

The Buffalo River, “The First National River” flows freely for 151 miles. Floating the river in a kayak, canoe or raft is the easiest, best and fastest way to see more waterfalls and Bluffs than any other way.  We have Floated all the way from Hailstone/Boxley to all the way down at the Buffalo Point/Rush area in a kayak, canoe and raft. Typically, the paddle season begins on the upper Buffalo in the spring. More water makes this section attractive for floaters seeking a higher level of challenge with whitewater kayaking or rafting. The season moves downstream with the months, varying from month to month with rainfall. The rapids are from class 1 on the lower portion to class 3+ with 4 consequences on the first run known as hailstone. The concessioners do not rent boats for Hailstone so you will need to have your own gear and shuttle car to do it. Aside from Hailstone all other sections range from class 1 to 2. This is what makes the Buffalo River a perfect river for the whole family.

The river runs narrow and fast on the upper end during spring and early summer. Plan and prepare for a fun and challenging kayak, canoe or raft trip. In the middle section the river is slower, but the season is a bit longer. You can float these class 1 and 2 rapids from the spring and early summer and fall in a kayak or canoe but a raft would be to slow and lots of work. Visit the lower end of the river for slower class 1, year-round paddling opportunities. A kayak, canoe or tube would be good for this section, again I would stay away from the raft.

The “best time to go” really depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re after the best whitewater, you’re better to go in the spring months and go as far upper as you can. If you want a good rowing exercise or want to go in a tube, the lower end is where the paddling’s at but also where a longer floating season is.

The Upper Buffalo River water levels fluctuate more than the other two sections. There may not always be enough water to float in this area. See our River Put-in pages to see the ideal water levels and find the current water levels 

Rafting, kayaking, canoeing or tubing the Buffalo River is a trip of a lifetime for many due to the incredible array of wildlife, bluffs, waterfalls, fascinatingly beautiful geology, and exciting rapids the area has on offer.

Top Buffalo River Floats

Top One-Day Float

They are all good, but for me I would choose Boxley to Steel Creek. This 8.7-mile float in my opinion is the best float on the whole river. Its faster so less paddling, and it has the most and largest bluff in the area.

Top Two-Day or Multi-Day Float

Well, I’m not going to surprise you with this one. Again, start at Boxley but this time stay in untill you get to Kyles or Erbie. This is a 16.7-mile float or a 22.3-mile float. You have the faster water so less paddling; it has the most and largest bluff in the area, and on top of that, Hemmed in Hollow is a short hike off the river. This is the fastest way to get to the waterfall and at 209 feet high, Hemmed-In Hollow Falls is the tallest waterfall between the Appalachians and the Rocky Mountains.

Seven-Day

Just do it all! Depending on water levels you can float the whole river in a week.

Other “Best Floats”

I am biased to the upper sections as I like the adventure and speed of it but when the water is low, I usually find myself doing the following floats:

Tyler Bend to Grinder’s Ferry – This is a nice easy short (1.1 mile) float that is great for all ages and all skill levels. If we bring folks that aren’t sure and have never been before, but you really want to float the Buffalo River, this is a great place to start.

Mt. Hersey to Woolum (8.6 miles) This is a good section for floating the Buffalo River if you want to see some beautiful bluffs but can’t float the Upper section because the water is too low. On this float you will get the opportunity to see Skull Bluff which is cool to paddle through. The biggest drawback is Mt Hersey is over 5 miles down a gravel road and Woolum is 7.4 miles down one.

Dillards Ferry to Buffalo Point (1.4 miles) or Rush (8.9 miles) – If the water is too low to float the upper and middle section of the Buffalo River then I recommend this float. Taking out at Buffalo Point is a hike so you will have to haul your canoe for a few hundred feet uphill but a whole lot less paddling. You can stay in your kayak and go all the way to Rush landing, 8.9 miles if you would rather paddle than hike out. Keep in mind there will be a lot of paddling on this lower section so all in all its going to be less exhausting to get only do the 1.4 miles.

How many miles can I do in a day?

I’ve done Hailstone in 3 hours, and I’ve done it in 6. That’s 15 miles. Aside from Hailstone, on most of the upper part of the river you will go 2 MPH. So, divide the distance in half and you have your hours. If you are floating at the higher range of the suggested floating water level you will go slightly faster, 2.5 MPH, and vis versa, if the water is at the lower rang of the gauge you can go 1.5 MPH or less. If you are on the lower part of the river, I would use 1.5 MPH as my average speed (again, a little faster if the water is higher and a little slower if the water level is lower). See our Floating levels and gauge links on the put in pages https://www.ozarkexperience.com/canoeing-kayak/upper-buffalo/

Where are the launch areas?

The Buffalo River is located in north central Arkansas near a little town called Jasper. See our Put-in locations page to get directions.

What time of year can I float it?

The water levels are much more consistent than the Upper Buffalo River so the Middle Buffalo River can usually be floated year-round and there is less paddling than the lower section.

Lower Buffalo River Float Trips – The Lower Buffalo River offers an ideal location for leisurely floating trips. Unlike the Upper Buffalo River, this section boasts a gentler pace, making it a popular choice among floaters. While the bluffs may be less dramatic, the relaxed waters provide a soothing and enjoyable journey but be prepared to paddle!

The best Buffalo River float trips or even the best section of the Buffalo River in general is the further upstream you go the more scenic it is. With that said, Hailstone is ONLY for experienced folks on a raft, kayak or canoe. The Middle and Lower sections of the Buffalo River are often floatable year-round making them great sections to float and see the fall colors in and around October.

If you’re looking for big epic bluffs and a few rapids, then definitely go to the Upper Buffalo River. Just check our specific “put-in” page to see what water level you need and use the link to see if there is currently enough water to float.

If there isn’t enough water to kayak or canoe in the upper, then go downstream until there is. Again, the views are typically better the more up you go.

Most Outfitters will rent a variety of equipment (tubes, rafts, canoes, kayaks, etc.)  Tubes are more for the lower section of the river. Rafts are for the upper or to throw a bunch of smaller kids in it for a worrie free experience. If you have your own gear you can still use an outfitters to shuttle your vehicle for you (for a fee of course).

In an effort to keep this site advertisers free we didn’t list any of the rental places, but you can quickly do a google search for one.

Visit out camping page for a list of camping sites in the area

Keep in mind there is really no cell phone service if you’re floating the Buffalo River. You might be able to get a text out at a couple campsites. So be safe and never float alone.