Plan your Trip

The National Park Service states that the Buffalo National River is viewed as a Class I river, which is generally accepted as the least difficult river rating. However, our section can move into the Class II rating in times of high water.

For Saturdays and the days of Memorial Day weekend, you will want to reserve your canoes and/or kayaks in advance. If you plan to float during the week, we still recommend you making a reservation.

A non-refundable deposit of $15 per canoe or kayak / per day rented is due at the time of booking. For rafts, the deposit is $15 per person, per day. A valid Visa, MasterCard, Discover Card, or American Express is required to hold your reservation. If a boat reservation is made within 72 hours of your scheduled launch date, full payment is required. Customers may cancel a boat reservation(s) 72 hours or more in advance of your date of arrival without penalty, less the non-refundable deposit of $15 per boat/per day. The exception to this policy is Memorial Day weekend May 25 th – 28 th. A boat rented during this holiday time frame must be canceled at least 7 days in advance of arrival in order to avoid payment, less the pre-paid deposit. For example, a Friday reservation must be canceled by the close of business on the Monday of the same week. To cancel, call our office at 1(870) 446-2644 by the close of business hours. Email and or voicemails will not be an accepted form of cancellation.

You will come to our store 5 miles from Jasper on Highway 74 West. first to complete your National Park Service rental agreement and acknowledgment of risk, as well as arrange for your car shuttle should you need one (most folks do, especially if they are traveling in only one vehicle). Once you’ve completed your contract, you will drive to the launch site (we’ll be sure to give you directions) where you and your party will receive a safety talk, then be issued your boat(s), paddles, PFDs, and mesh trash bag(s).

Water level dictates our launch site, which is either the access at Ponca, Steel Creek, or Pruitt. 

• Ponca – Kyles Landing, (10.7 Miles). One of our more popular float trips is the stretch from Ponca to Kyles Landing. It is well known for its scenery and whitewater action. This section is 10.7-miles long and takes around 4 to 6 hours to complete, depending upon the individual, the river level, and the amount of time you spend enjoying the scenery along the way.  Roark Bluff at Steel Creek is just one of the beautiful bluffs on this stretch of the river. Another benefit of this float is the opportunity to float to the trailhead of Hemmed in Hollow and hike to the gorgeous 225-foot waterfall from the river. We run this float every day when water permits.

• Steel Creek to Kyle’s Landing (8 miles).  When river conditions are too low to launch in Ponca, we move 2 miles downriver to the Steel Creek launch (10 minutes from Ponca on Hwy. 74) where you will canoe 8 miles to Kyle’s Landing.

• Pruitt to Hasty (6.8 miles). When upper Buffalo National River conditions are too low to canoe from Steel Creek, we then move downriver to the Pruitt launch (on Hwy. 7, about 5 miles north of Jasper), where you will canoe about 7 miles to Hasty. The day-trip float on this section of the river takes about 4 or 5 hours to complete. A great trip for a family adventure & fun for all ages!  There are lots of great swimming holes on this float. Fishing on this stretch is exceptionally good as well.

With average river conditions, you can generally factor a speed of about 2 mph, which equals around 4 to 6 hours of paddling time for the typical 8- to 10-mile float trip. This, of course, also depends on such factors as water level, one’s paddling skills, and how much extra-curricular activity (such as fishing or hiking) one does along the way.

Depending upon the month, launch times may vary somewhat. For example, in March when days are shorter, the latest launch time may be Noon or earlier. In April, May, and June, when there is more daylight to be had, we may launch boats as late as 1:00 PM.

For your convenience, we shuttle your vehicle to a pre-set take-out access while you enjoy your float trip. In most cases, you come to the BRC store to arrange your shuttle. Once your paperwork and payment are complete, you will drive to the launch site and leave your car keys with our river staff. We then move cars in the order in which the keys have been handed to us (basically, a first-come/first-serve process). PLEASE NOTE THAT ON HIGH-DEMAND SATURDAYS & MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, ALL OUTFITTERS CAN EXPERIENCE DELAYS IN MOVING VEHICLES. So, take your time on the river—that is what you came for anyway! Also, our shuttle drivers are carefully selected—all have good driving records and are versed in BRC policies regarding property that is placed in our care.

We suggest a person be at least age six and able to swim, although there is no official age limit on the river.