Buffalo River Field GuideBuffalo River Field Guide
The Buffalo River winding beneath the massive face of Big Bluff

Float trips/Day Trip

Ponca to Kyle's Landing

Photo: National Park Service · Public domain

Miles
10.7
Duration
4–6 hours
District
Upper
Skill
Intermediate

The most popular paddle on the river and the one every Arkansas floater eventually does. Bluff after bluff, Hemmed-In Hollow side hike if you stop, and the tallest cliff between the Appalachians and the Rockies (Big Bluff) towering overhead.

Highlights

  • •Big Bluff
  • •Jim Bluff
  • •Hemmed-In Hollow side trip

Current conditions · Upper district

Too low
3.54ft
53 cfs

Low flow (53 cfs) — expect lots of dragging through shoals.

Heads up: water is on the low side for this run. Expect dragging in shallow shoals — consider a shorter trip or wait for rain.

Source: Buffalo River at Ponca · all gauges

River alerts

Get a text or email when the Ponca section drops below or above floatable levels

No spam, no newsletter. One short message when the river hits go, plus a high-water warning if it spikes.

We'll send your alert closer to your trip date.

Email, phone, or both — your call.

Outfitters that service this float

Local outfitters offering rentals and shuttles for the Upper District.

Other float trips

The Buffalo River along a shallow shoal at the base of Roark Bluff at Steel Creek

Day Trip

Steel Creek to Kyle's Landing

View from the bow of a canoe with Roark Bluff glimmering ahead on the Buffalo River

Multi-Day Trip

Ponca to Pruitt

Misty bluff rising over the Buffalo River at dawn

Multi-Day Trip

Ponca to Woolum