#intermediateFloat
Turner Bend to Campbell Cemetery on the Mulberry River
Floating Turner Bend to Campbell Cemetery on the Mulberry River had been sitting on my adventure list for years. Having floated the Upper Mulberry stretches from Wolf Pen and High Bank to Turner’s many times, this middle section had been calling to me like an unfinished story. When I finally made the trip, it did not disappoint. I expected it to follow the pattern of many rivers – fast and splashy upstream, slowing to a gentler, lazier pace as it winds toward the lower end. Instead, this stretch threw my assumptions overboard. To my surprise, the current stayed quick and playful, delivering the same thrill as the upper Mulberry. With several exciting class II rapids and even more natural beauty, this was not the float I expected—it was far better. Quick Glance Distance: 10.1 mi...
Floating the Little Missouri from the Narrows Dam
We have reached that part of the Summer where floatable rivers can be a little hard to find. Outside of the lower Buffalo and a few others, most of the popular rivers get too low without any rain. That leaves us with the spring-fed rivers of northern AR and southern MO, and several dam-fed rivers flowing from lakes. Examples of these would be the Little Red, lower Caddo and lower Ouachita, which I have written about. And last weekend, I learned all about floating the Little Missouri from the Narrows Dam at Lake Greeson. Floatable rivers may be a little hard to find this time of year, and whitewater is even harder. But when the Narrows Dam starts releasing water into the Little Missouri River, buckle up and hang on! No, I don’t mean crazy rafting whitewater like you might see in Color...
Floating High Bank to Byrd’s on the Mulberry River
For those seeking a fast and fun paddling adventure in the Arkansas Ozarks, a float trip on the Mulberry River is a must. Floating High Bank to Byrd’s on the Mulberry River is one of my favorite sections of river in the state. I love it because the steady flow and swift rapids make this river so much fun. And this particular section has some of the best rapids. At only 4.7 miles long, this short float is loaded with lots of fun action. It is a great option for a quick and exciting half-day float. Or combine it with Wolf Pen, or maybe float on down to Redding for a longer, full-day float. The great thing about the Mulberry – there are so many options for different float combinations. Combine all that with the natural beauty of the area, and the Mulberry River is easily one of th...
Floating Ponca to Kyle’s Landing on the Buffalo River
Floating Ponca to Kyle’s Landing on the Buffalo River is one of the classic day floats in Arkansas. This stretch of the Upper Buffalo has almost everything people hope for when they plan a Buffalo River trip: fast-moving water, emerald pools, towering bluffs, rocky shoals, and some of the most iconic scenery in the state. This is also one of the most water-dependent floats on the Buffalo. When the level is right, it is hard to beat. When it is too low, it quickly turns into a long day of dragging. So while Ponca to Kyle’s Landing should be high on the list for anyone wanting to float the Upper Buffalo, the river level needs to make the final decision. At a Glance Distance: 10.1 miles Difficulty: Moderate Ponca Access: 36.021230, -93.354789 Roark Bluff: 36.043796, -93.343878 Ste...
