The Buffalo National River was established in 1972 as America’s first national river.  This class I/II river begins near Dixon Ford in the Boston Mountains at the confluence of Main Prong Big Buffalo Creek and Reeves Fork, flowing 135 miles through the Southern Region of the Ozarks to the White River near Buffalo City, Arkansas. This undammed river is known for its massive towering bluffs, countless waterfalls, abundant hiking trails, and vibrant wildlife.

The Buffalo National River is a river for all seasons, where canoeing is a year-round possibility. However; the upper portion of the river is only navigable from March through June, when spring rains keep the river at a floatable level. This river is rainfall-dependent, and floating each section of the river varies from month-to-month. As one of the most scenic rivers, The Buffalo River makes for a very popular weekend river from spring through summer; early reservations for canoes and camp sites are highly recommended, as outfitters book months in advance.

Boxley Bridge and access

Boxley Bridge and access

River Outfitters

UPPER DISTRICT (Boxley to Carver)

Buffalo Outdoor Center
www.buffaloriver.com 1-800-221-5514

Buffalo River Canoes
www.floatthebuffalo.com 870-446-2644

Gordon Motel
www.gordonmotel.com 870-446-5252

Lost Valley Canoe & Lodge
www.lostvalleycanoe.com 870-861-5522

Riverview Motel
www.riverviewmotelandcanoe.com 870-446-2616

MIDDLE DISTRICT (Carver to South Maumee)

Buffalo Camping & Canoeing
www.gilbertstore.com 870-439-2888

Buffalo River Outfitters
www.buffaloriveroutfitters.com 1-800-582-2244

Crockett's Canoe Rental
www.buffalorivercanoerental.com 1-800-355-6111

Silver Hill Float Service
www.silverhillfloatservice.com 870-439-2372

LOWER DISTRICT (North Maumee to Buffalo City)

Buffalo River Float Service
www.buffaloriverfloatservice.com 870-449-2042

Dirst Canoe Rental
wwwdirstcanoerental.com 870-449-6636

Wild Bill's Outfitter
www.wildbillsoutfitter.com 1-800-554-8657

Public Access Points

  1. Boxley 0.0mi

  2. Ponca 6.0mi

  3. Steel Creek 8.7mi

  4. Kyles Landing 16.7mi

  5. Erbie 22.3mi

  6. Ozark 27.8mi

  7. Pruitt 29.9mi

  8. Hasty 36.7mi

  9. Carver 40.9mi

  10. Mt. Hersey 47.7mi

  11. Woolum 56.6mi

  12. Baker Ford 67.2mi

  13. Tyler Bend 71.5mi

  14. Grinders Ferry 72.6mi

  15. Gilbert 76.9mi

  16. North Maumee 88.5mi

  17. South Maumee 89.0mi

  18. Spring Creek 93.7mi

  19. Dillards Ferry 98.3mi

  20. Buffalo Point 99.7mi

  21. Rush 107.2mi

  22. Buffalo City 131.4mi

Campsites

UPPER DISTRICT (Upper Buffalo Wilderness to Carver)

  • Steel Creek: 26 tent campsites, 14 horse campsites, picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook, and flush restroom when in season (March 15-November 14)

  • Kyles Landing: 33 campsites, picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook, trash pickup and flush toilets when in season (March 15-November 14); RVs allowed but no hookups

  • Erbie: 14 drive-in campsites, 2 walk-in sites, picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook, pack-in and pack-out trash, 5 group sites available; no hookups nor running water

  • Erbie Horse camp: vault toilet, no services

  • Ozark: 31 campsites, picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook, vault toilet, trash pick-up, and flush toilets when in season (March 15-November 14); RVs allowed but no hookups

  • Carver: 8 campsites, picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook, drinking water, and vault restroom; trash service not provided

MIDDLE DISTRICT (Mt. Hersey to South Maumee)

  • Tyler Bend: Developed campground open year-round, see website for details https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/tyler-bend-campground.htm

  • Mt. Hersey: primitive campsite open year-round; vault toilet available, trash service not provided

  • Woolum: Primitive campground open year-round; vault toilet available, trash service not provided

  • Grinders Ferry, Shine Eye and Gilbert: gravel bars are open for camping and vault toilets open year-round with limited or no service; trash service not provided

  • South Maumee: 5 campsites open year-round; includes picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook, vault toilet with limited or no service, trash service not provided

LOWER DISTRICT (North Maumee to Lower Buffalo Wilderness)

  • Spring Creek Campground: 12 designated sites open year-round; picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook, vault toilet with limited service, no water or trash services, NO RVs allowed

  • Buffalo Point Campground: 12 campsites; picnic table, fire ring, lantern hook, vault toilet with limited service, no trash service, NO RVs allowed *$12 per night between March 15-November 14*

River Guides

Buffalo River Float Service
www.buffaloriverfloatservice.com 870-449-2042

Cotter Trout Dock
www.cottertroutdock.com 1-800-447-7538

Dally's Ozark Flay Fisher. Inc.
www.theozarkflyfisher.com 870-435-6166

Newlands Float Trips & Lodge
www.newlands.com 1-800-334-5604

Ozark Mountain Takers Hiking Adventures www.hikingadventuresintheozarks.com 870-688-9243

Rose's Trout Dock
www.rosestroutdock.com 870-499-5311

Tim Ernst
www.timernst.com 870-861-5536

White Buffalo Resort
www.whitebuffaloresort.com 870-425-8555

Wild Bill's Outfitter
www.wildbillsoutfitter.com 1-800-554-8657

Reviews

"I loved floating The Buffalo!"

“Of all the floats I had been on so far, this one was my favorite! The scenery was fantastic and just about everywhere you looked was beautiful!”

— Sydney

"Must float river!"

“The Buffalo River should be on everyone's bucket list. The scenery is incredible. From the towering bluffs to the wild life there is a lot to see.”

— Jacob

"WOW!"

“I can't believe this gem is in the Ozarks!”

— Stasia

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