On every 3rd Saturday of each month TSRA will be leading a Flatwater to Class 1 paddle trip. Location will be determined a week or two out and updated on the calendar. Basic paddling skills, training and gear are a prerequisite for all registrants. Life Jackets (PFD) will be worn at all times on the water. No alcohol during trip.These trips will all be weather dependent. If conditions are too harsh, we will reschedule as needed.
2024 Arkansas Buffalo River in the Ozark Mountains Valley
March 14th – March 17th. _ (Travel on Thursday 14th and paddle Friday 15th through Sunday 17th).
This is a Class I-II trip with a few easy but exciting class II sections depending on water levels. We will paddle from Ponca to Carver (34.8 mi). See map on link.
In conjunction with this trip, if anyone is new to canoe camping, I can also offer this trip as an ACA River Canoe Camping Course for that individual. Please contact me to discuss course details before registering.
You may convoy with us, or we can arrange to meet you at the hotel or the put in. We can set up arrangements when you pre-register.
The plan is to travel on Thursday March 14th to Russellville Arkansas. Take I-40 to Arkansas Exit 81 and hotel it for the night. There are several hotels at this exit. You must make your own hotel arrangements. Please stay at or near this exit. If possible, please join us for a group dinner near the hotels that evening (place and time to be determined). On Friday morning, we will eat an early breakfast near the hotels. Then convoy due North (70 mi.) to the Ponca put in, drop gear, and run shuttle to the Carver take out, and back. We will be on the river Friday, Saturday and Sunday taking off the river Sunday about noon. Camping is riverside Friday and Saturday nights. Prepare meals and gear accordingly. If you want to fish licenses can be bought at several locations prior to the trip. The fishing is exceptionally good but check local regulations. There is usually time to fish very early before breakfast or late before dinner at the campsite but not much time during the daytime paddle.
If you are kayaking, you are required to have a spray skirt to come on this trip. This river will swamp your boat at several rapids without one.
This is a wonderful trip in a deep and beautiful valley of Buffalo River National Park in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas. This place does not disappoint. It is completely set up for paddling trips of various lengths. Here is a Shortcut to the Nation Park Service: http://www.nps.gov/buff
I have some alternate trips planned in case of severe weather or inadequate water levels.
See the link below for river information including River Levels (upper right button):
Shortcut to: http://www.buffaloriver.com/
Pre-registration is required.
Go to our TSRA web site at www.paddletsra.org .
Go to the calendar, then month of March and 3rd Saturday Paddle (March 16). This trip is March 14-17.
You can contact me by calling, texting, or emailing Steve Morris at 615-308-4059 cell and stevecanoes@gmail.com .
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