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Elk River
Noel, MO
Oklahoma Book Bargains!
A Canoeing & Kayaking Guide to the Ozarks
Oklahoma Sportfishing: A Complete Sportsman's Guide (Backcountry Guides)
Kayak Paddlers Supply Store
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OklahomaRoadTrips.com
Family Float Trips In and Near OklahomaNothing cools you down faster than a spring fed river or a crisp clear lake on a hot Oklahoma day. Check out our Oklahoma Canoe and Kayak Paddling Page to learn more! You can read about our most recent float trips on our PaddleTales weblog. Trip Report - 5/25/05 Buffalo River and Illinois River
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The Buffalo River is a beautiful river of crystal clear waters surrounded by high limestone bluffs of purple and orange. In 1972, it was designated by Congress as America's first National River, on the 100 year anniversary of the birth of Yellowstone as our first National Park.
Buffalo River - Arkansas Paddling
It is also just across the Arkansas border from Oklahoma, only a few hours from Tulsa. In the Fall and Spring the Buffalo River offers breathtaking seasonal color. Take your camera...heck take your tripod too on this wonderful river!
The Buffalo is the last major undammed river in Arkansas and is wonderfully pristine, yet well complimented with canoe and kayak outfitters in the surrounding small towns like Ponca, St. Joe, Yellville and Hasty.
We have used both Silver Hill Canoe Rental and Buffalo Camping & Canoeing and I can honestly say they were both first rate. They offer numerous float trips depending on distance you want to travel.
The river is categorized into three parts, the upper, middle and lower. Click the links below to see our list of outfitters for each section of the Buffalo River.
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The upper part of the Buffalo River is located in Boxley and ending in Carver. (outfitters in Ponca, Jasper and Marble Falls, AR)
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The middle part of the Buffalo River runs from Carver to S. Maumee. (outfitters in St. Joe and Gilbert, AR)
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The lower part of the Buffalo River runs from N. Maumee to Buffalo City. (outfitters in Yellville, AR)
The large town in the area is Harrison, Arkansas and offers many fine restaurants, shopping, hotels, motels, cabins, cottages, etc.
Here's a link to a good river map: Buffalo River Map
Sadly, I'm afraid the Buffalo River float trip failed to convert Faithful Son from XBox to paddle junkie as it rained steadily for the majority of our float. Dianne and I were paddling away on the river, so we found the rain to be a cool and refreshing crowd control device, but Dylan darn near froze in the middle of the canoe! Oh well, better luck next time, eh? Thankfully, Gilbert, Arkansas is close enough to Tahlequah to allow us an afternoon float down the Illinois River.
Buffalo River - Arkansas Paddling
Buffalo River Canoe & Kayak Outfitter List
Upper River - Boxley to Carver
Buffalo Adventures
HC 70 Box 136 A Jasper, AR 72641
Phone: 870-446-5406
www.buffaloadventures.comBuffalo Outdoor Center, Inc.
Location: Ponca, AR. 72670
Phone: 800-221-5514
www.buffaloriver.comGordon Motel, Inc.
Location: P. O. Box 60 Jasper, AR 72641
Phone: 800-477-8509
www.gordonmotel.comKeller’s Kanoes
Location: HCR 73, Box 39 Marble Falls, AR 72648
Phone: 870-446-2644
Lost Valley Canoe & Lodging
Location: Hwy 43, Box 10 Ponca, AR 72670
Phone: 870-861-5522
Razorback Canoe Rental
Location: PO Box 1 Marble Falls, AR 72648
Phone: 870-446-2255
Riverview Motel Canoe Rental
Location: P.O. Box 352 Jasper, AR 72641
Phone: 870-446-2616
Middle Buffalo River - Carver to South Maumee
Buffalo Camping & Canoeing (We tried 'em, they rock!)
Location: P.O. Box 504 Gilbert, AR 72636
Phone: 870-439-2888
www.gilbertstore.comBuffalo River Outfitters
Location: Rt 1 Box 56 St. Joe, AR 72675
Phone: 800-582-2244
www.buffaloriveroutfitters.comCrockett's Canoe Rental
Location: P.O. Box 26 Harriet, AR 72639
Phone: 800-355-6111
www.buffalorivercanoerental.comSilver Hill Canoe Rental (We tried 'em, they rock!)
Location: Rt. 1 Box 48A St. Joe, AR 72675
Phone: 870-439-2372
www.silverhill65.com
Lower Buffalo River - North Maumee to Buffalo City
Dillard's Ozark Outfitters, Inc.
Location: 12656 Hwy. 14S - Yellville, AR 72687
Phone: 800-423-8731
Dirst Canoe Rental
Location: 538 Hwy. 268 - Yellville, AR 72687
Phone: 800-537-2850
www.southshore.com/~canoeWild Bill's Outfitters
Location: Jct. Hwy 14 S. & 268 - Yellville, AR 72687
Phone: 800-554-8657
www.ozark-float.com
...Complete Oklahoma Area Float Trip Outfitters List
