What River Do People Kayak On In Northern Arkansas?

The Buffalo National River, America’s first national river, is a popular destination for kayaking in Arkansas. With 151 miles of high-level water, it is ideal for whitewater rafters and offers a variety of accessible river adventures. The Mulberry River, 62 miles of cold, emerald green water with rapids rated from easy to difficult, is the most paddled river.

The Buffalo National River, a 135-mile long river, flows through the Ozarks and is surrounded by scenic cliffs and forests. It is known for its whitewater destination for kayakers and canoers. Top picks for camping in Arkansas include Horseshoe Bend Campground, Camp at Kyles Landing, Paddle the Buffalo National River from Ponca to Kyles Landing, and Paddle the Cossatot River.

Arkansas has over 9,700 miles of rivers and streams, many of which are perfect for floating, be it by canoe, johnboat, raft, or kayak. Paddling in Arkansas provides opportunities to land a canoe, raft, or kayak in any of these rivers.

The Cossatot River is a whitewater destination for kayakers and canoers, dependent on rainfall. The Buffalo National River offers a variety of accessible river adventures, ranging from trout fishing trips to sections of rugged whitewater paddling. The Caddo River is a great river for all levels of paddling experience, as noted by Gayla Claborn, owner of Caddo River Camping Canoe in Glenwood.

In summary, Arkansas offers a diverse range of rivers and streams perfect for kayaking, with the Buffalo National River being one of the most popular destinations.


📹 Kayaking – Cossatot River – Southwest Arkansas

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Can you kayak the Ouachita River?

Located along the Ouachita River, our kayak rental offering provides guests with the opportunity to enjoy an all-day adventure, relax on a two-hour float, or cruise with the stream.

What river do people kayak on in northern arkansas map
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Can you kayak in the Arkansas River?

River Adventures. Kayaking is a great way to explore the Arkansas River. Whether you’re a novice paddler or an experienced kayaker, the river provides a variety of experiences to suit all skill levels.

For beginners, the calm stretches near downtown Wichita are perfect for getting acquainted with the basics of paddling and maneuvering. The river’s gentle flow in these areas makes it an ideal spot for families and those looking to enjoy a leisurely time on the water. For more experienced kayakers, the Arkansas River presents a bit more of a challenge further upstream and downstream from the city center.

Boats & Bikes. Boats & Bikesis an outdoor fun rental company operating from a 240-foot public dock on the Arkansas River near the Douglas bridge. The operation is run by Wichita State University’s rowing program and among their offerings are youth and adult paddleboards, pedal boats, kayaks and rowing shells (available to rent after taking at least one rowing lesson).

Kayaking Arkansas Buffalo River
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Can you still float the Buffalo River?

Planning and timing. The Buffalo National River is a stunning destination any time of the year, but floating has a season, typically from late March until late July. The river is usually described in three parts: the upper, middle and lower sections. The best months for the upper section are April and May. For June and July, start your float in the middle section for better water flow. If you want to float the whole thing, plan your trip in late spring for the best experience. Remember to keep an eye on water levels and river conditions when planning your trip.

Choosing your gear. Kayaks, canoes, rafts and tubes are all popular ways to float the Buffalo. Choosing the right float depends on several factors, including how far you’re going, how much stuff you’re carrying, and how many people are in your party. Rafts and tubes are good for shorter floats and day trips, especially with larger groups. Canoes and kayaks are fun for any occasion and are especially good for longer and multi-day floats with camping cargo. Whatever you want to try, you’ll find rentals available nearby. Visit the Ozark Mountain Region website to learn more.

Packing essentials. Bring these items along to make your float trip safer and more fun. You can easily find everything you need once you arrive.

Can you kayak the White River Arkansas?

Arkansas White River Cabins now offers 2 separate Canoe and Kayak floats for our guestsand public. Take an 8 mile float on the beautiful Beaver Lake Tailwaters of the White River. We will transport you to the Beaver Dam where you will put in and float to your pull out at Houseman Access. The White River is a gentle entry level float that everyone can enjoy. Choose to fish or just look for the river otters and enjoy what Mother Nature brings you. This float takes an average of 3 to 4 hours to complete.

Kayaking in Arkansas Map
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Can you drink while kayaking in Arkansas?

Fasten Cooler Lids. All food and beverages in canoes, kayaks and inner tubes must be contained. They must be in a sealable or lockable cooler/container that prevents the contents from spilling in the water. This is applied to vessels easily susceptible to swamping, tipping, or rolling. This is to protect our wildlife.

Trash Container. All canoes, kayaks, inner tubes and other vessels carrying food or beverages must have an attached closeable trash container. The container must be of sturdy construction, or it may be a bag of mesh construction. All trash must be safely and lawfully disposed of. A container is not required for people traveling without foodstuffs or beverages. We do, however, recommend taking a container in order to help protect our wildlife from harmful items others leave behind.

Use a Floating Holder for Beverages. All beverages not securely contained in a cooler or litter bag must be held in a floating holder or other device designed to prevent it from sinking beneath the water’s surface. This is to protect our wildlife and others who float down the river after you.

Best river to kayak in Arkansas
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Can you kayak at Devils Den Arkansas?

Nestled in the Ozarks Mountains of Northwest Arkansas, in picturesque Lee Creek Valley, sits Devil’s Den State Park. Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the 1930’s, the park’s cabins and several other facilities were built using native wood and stone from the area. Spanning Lee Creek, the CCC also used native stone to build a dam, creating peaceful 8-acre Lake Devil. Canoe and kayak rentals are available at the park, as well as pedal boats and water bikes for use in the lake.

Hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking are popular activities in and around Devil’s Den State Park, with numerous trails leading to popular features such as the Devil’s Den Cave and Twin Falls. Many trails also lead into the surrounding Ozark National Forest.

Devil’s Den also hosts a horse camp with adjacent access to three equestrian trails totaling about 20 miles altogether. All three trails begin and end at the horse camp.

Seventeen fully-equipped cabins are available to rent at the park, each with a kitchen and wood-burning fireplace. The cabins are available all year long, and fireplaces are available for use from October thru April. The park also has 143 campsites, with 42 of those sites being in the horse camp area. Group camping is also available.

Best kayaking in Arkansas
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Can you kayak the Buffalo river in Arkansas?

Canoeing and kayaking the upper Buffalo National River is absolutely the finest paddling experience in the state of Arkansas. When you plan a float trip here you’ve selected the most amazing scenery in the state as the backdrop for your adventure.

Important Floating Information. Site Launch Details. Our daily launch site is determined by water level which means your launch site cannot be guaranteed when booking. On Saturdays in May, outfitters are required to launch at the Steel Creek access (rather than Ponca), water level permitting. Private boaters, however, may launch at the Ponca access if water level permits.

Season Info:During floating season (March–June), we confirm the launch site each morning on our Buffalo River Level web page. You can also call us at 870-861-5514 to learn the day’s launch site.

Arkansas River kayaking
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Can you kayak down the river Trent?

What to see paddling along the River Trent. There’s lots to see if you paddle on the Trent, and with it being such a long river, it’s a great place for a touring adventure or multi-day paddle.

The historic and much loved medieval bridge at Swarkestone crosses the river near Derby. It’s a very impressive feat and well worth a paddle under!

Newark Castle is also right on the banks of the Trent at, you guessed it, Newark. Plus there’s several areas to mooch at Nottingham. Enjoy the Embankment, which is a thriving area, especially when the sun is out. It’s a good place to get on or stop off. It is close to County and Forest football stadiums and the Outlaw’s Trent Bridge cricket ground.

All in all there’s a lot to see on the river from sprawling countryside to inner city environments.

Is the Arkansas River safe to swim in?

River xman has highly recommends that people do not swim there. However there are other activities. You can do safely we’re going to put kayaks right here on the water.

White River Kayaking Arkansas
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What river can you float in Arkansas?

Here are some of the top destinations for floating in the region:Float Eureka – Eureka Springs, Arkansas. … Gypsy Camp – Illinois River, Siloam Springs. … Kings River – Trigger Gap Outfitters and Kings River Outfitters. … Mulberry River – Turner Bend Outfitter. … War Eagle Creek.


📹 RAW Scenic Kayaking – 3 Days Deep in Arkansas

RAW paddling edit from our 3 day kayak camping trip deep in the backcountry of Arkansas! The Ouachita Mountains are home to …


What River Do People Kayak On In Northern Arkansas
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Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

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7 comments

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  • I watch other kayak/kayak camping articles from all the others—but NOBODY can touch your super high quality productions. Always such a pleasure to watch. Keeps me coming back and wanting more. Your articles are what I prescribe to anyone who asks me about getting into kayaking and camping. Thanks for your hard work!

  • I have now fallen asleep to this article 2 nights in a row, and finally made the time to watch it in its entirety while actually paying attention lolol. Its strange how quite a tough trip down the river can make for such a peaceful and relaxing article, yet here we are haha. It hardly needs to be said anymore with so many people agreeing and echoing the same sentiment, but you knock it out of the park every time man, great work.

  • I’ve never kayaked before, but after perusal 3 of your articles I think I want to get started! Wow, I thought I had seen the most beautiful places that can be seen while long distance backpacking but the spots you’re finding while kayaking are blowing my mind. So cool! Thank you for sharing your adventures

  • Just bought my first kayak a few weeks ago…your articles will make a kayak camper out of me yet! Also I’m a Texan too! Our state never ceases to blow me away. I can’t wait to hit some of these beautiful gems in Texas, and I plan to hit other amazing parts of the US in the future. Love the quality of your vids and am purchasing one of your dry bags. Thanks for the shared adventures!

  • Hello brother how are you doing? Man it looks like I tough paddle but a fun trip. With a lot more water & it would be an awesome trip. But I am glad you all had fun together cuz that is what it’s all about. Thanks you for sharing this article brother. My lil brother Tim just got his first kayak yesterday and he is so exciting. He went out & test it out on the water with his co worker. I was Suppose to go but 20 min after getting the kayak loaded up in the truck we had stopped by a BBQ store and when I got out of the truck my leg 🦵 give out on me & I failed down & my leg 🦵is hurt pretty bad. The X-rays show no Broken bones but I have to get an MIR done to see what is wrong. My lil brother feels bad because he thinks that he pushed me to much to help him pick up his kayak because I only had 3 hours of sleep. I keep trying to tell him it’s not his fault. I think I am done kayaking, kayak camping, fishing, & working for the rest of the year. We will see am hoping that is not True. Take it easy buddy.

  • Dude I have so many questions. I love your content and have been inspired to use a lot of your style in my own. Your articles and style have truly been motivating. Can you do a Q&A sometime? Also I’m about to do the South Saskatchewan in October and I’m dreading it a little. Should be some low water there as well. I’ve done my fair share of shallow river trips and they are not always fun. We’ll make the most of it though. It’s all about the adventure, right? You should come up to Alberta Canada sometime man and we could plan a trip where I’ll take you on a fossil hunting excursion on the St. Mary’s or Red Deer river sometime (look up ammolite) đŸ˜‰ and then check out my Red Deer & St. Marys article. Lots of amazing scenery and geology. Paddle on,

  • Hello! Great article! I am a small Arkansas outdoors blog and YT website and do a lot of kayak articles myself. I didn’t catch the name of this river mentioned in the article. From the looks of it at the 12:00 minute mark, that looks a lot like the Winding Stairs section of the Little Missouri River. Was this from the Little MO? Also I’m gonna check out your dry duffels for my overnight trips. Thanks for sharing!