Suggestions for Float Trips in AR

[cappuccino]

Anyone have any suggestions of best places to go for a float trip in AR? Buffalo, Spring, others? It's been a very long time since I've been to either river. Would like some personal opinions on good places to go (and on which section of the river to start and how to get back to car, equipment rental, canoes vs floats, etc.)

Planning a day trip from LR sometime this weekend. I'd assume we're not the most experienced crew in a canoe, but would like to have some 'rapid' fun either in a boat or on a raft/innertubes!

Thanks!

[Jean-Paul]

Buffalo is wonderful. Stay at the BOC... Buffalo Outdoor Center. Beautiful cabins with really nice kitchens and huge fireplaces. Great paddling. If you like camping (and saving some $$) I recommend Byrd's on the Mulberry. They have really nice shower facilities and - again - some of the most beautiful landscapes in the state, if not the country. It has tons of great places to pull off and cook out, rope swings hanging off branches so you can swing into the water, lots of great swimming holes. I love the Mulberry!

[ODB]

Here is a link to the best info on float trips in Arkansas:

Arkansas Canoe Club

They have links to water levels and the message board is teeming with people talking about where to go next weekend.

My recommendations if the water level is right -

Caddo River and Buffalo if you are inexperienced and taking children. If you want some more excitement the Mulberry is great. There is also a place on the Ouachita River called Dragover where you can camp and your put in is less than a quarter mile from the take out so you don't have to shuttle and you can run it as often as you like.

Be aware that all these places particularly the Buffalo and Spring will be crowded this weekend.

Keep your paddle wet and your head dry!

[gregl515]

Any suggestions if you don't really like your children?

[bkred]

The Buffalo should be good thanks to all the rain. Several rental places in the Gilbert/Marshall area are good.

The Spring is COLD.

[chaoticfun]

You might want to check out the King's river up by Eureka Springs. King's River Outfitters is a great place to use for floating the river. They offer onsite camping, transfers, and canoes etc. Ernie, who owns KRO, is a great guy who loves for people to have a good time. I don't know how many rapids you will find, but the small mouth bass are supposedly biting great! BTW, I am headed up there to float on Sunday!

[cappuccino]

Thanks for the great suggestions! Sounds like lots of votes for the Mulberry, which is new to me. Also sounds like I need to plan a 2day trip!

[ODB]

If you are going to do the Mulberry check out:

Byrd's Adventure Center

They are really nice people and put on one of the best adventure races in the state every year. They also have a nice campground on the river and canoe and shuttle services.