Jasper Buffalo River
The beautiful Jasper Buffalo River flows for 135 miles and begins up in the Boston Mountains. It had its first appearance on maps back in 1807 and has now become one of Arkansas’s greatest attractions. The wildlife surrounding the buffalo river is why many people enjoy visiting our Jasper AR Cabin Rentals. Even to his day, Jasper is the Elk Capital of Arkansas.
The Jasper Buffalo River became the first National River in the United States of America back in 1972. The river boasts beautiful views and sits below picturesque bluffs where hikers gaze from above. You will experience rapids and even peaceful pools of still water.
The river is lined with life. Whether it is beautiful trees, the abundance of wildlife, or people who come from far and wide to enjoy the beautiful views. The options are endless along the Jasper Buffalo River for each and everyone in the family. There are hiking trails for everyone and there is an experience around every corner.
Make sure to grab your camera if you come anywhere close to the river. You will see countless sights that will take your breath away so you want to ensure you bring your camera to capture all of them! The great thing about the Buffalo River National Park is that you can make your own adventures that you will never forget! Yes, you can tag along with a tour or a trail but just remember, it is a national park! You are free to explore and create your own unique memories with your loved ones!
The river is great for everyone of all age ranges. You can find a perfectly peaceful pool of fresh water and enjoy a cooling swim. Swimming holes are scattered all along the river which makes for a perfect day to relax or have fun with the kids! If you are more of the adventure type, there are plenty of rapids along the river waiting for you to conquer them! The Buffalo River rushes through the Ozark Mountains just waiting for you to enjoy it!
The drive to the Buffalo River is one of my favorites. Wherever you decide to go along the river, part of the adventure is getting there! Every road, every bridge, and every curve is beautifully etched into the mountains with a breathtaking view. Many of the main attractions of the Buffalo River are the trails that follow along it. You will find some of the most beautiful bluffs and cliffs in this great state. While you are here to visit, don’t miss out on the great hiking trails! While on the trail, find the perfect tree near a bluff and snap a photo from a vantage point! You can get some of the greatest views of the Buffalo River while up on one of these great trails. To learn more about to local trails, click here:
Waterfalls
While you are on your hike, you are sure to come across some of the most beautiful waterfalls in the country. Arkansas boasts grand falls that are etched into the sides of the Ozark Mountains. With falls stretching up to 200 feet tall, you are sure to not be disappointed. To learn more about where to find these waterfalls, click here:
The most common reason for Jasper AR Cabin Rentals visitors to visit Jasper is to float or paddle down the beautifully clear river. If you are looking for more information on just how to get onto that river, here is some useful info:
When to Float?
If you are looking for the best time to float the Jasper Buffalo River, you will find that the months March, April, May, and June are the best times of the year to float the Buffalo river. Occasionally we will receive rainfall later in the year that will keep the river rushing all the way through July. If you would like to enjoy time on the river in July, please call ahead to find out the river levels. If you have any questions about the Buffalo River during your stay, feel free to reach out to us!
Where to Launch?
The site where you launch from will oftentimes be determined by the water level of the Buffalo River. There are some restrictions through the National Park Service on launching during the month of May at the Ponca low water bridge. If you would like to launch closer to Jasper, there are less restrictions. We recommend that you check out NPS.gov for more information on where to launch from.
When to Launch?
Launch times will differ between a few hours depending on the time of year. If you are launching earlier in the year, the days will be shorter so you will want to launch earlier into the day. If you are launching off in the middle of the summer, you will be able to enjoy much more daylight. During that time of the year, you should not be surprised to see launch times after noon or until 1:00 P.M.
Where to Rent?
You are more than welcome to bring your own kayak, canoe, or raft onto the Buffalo River as most people do. If you would like to avoid the hassle of hauling your craft to Boulder Bluffs, then from there to the Jasper Buffalo River, do not fret, there are multiple options for boat rentals nearby. First, you must decide whether you are looking to rent a kayak, canoe, or a raft. Locally in Jasper there are multiple places to rent a canoe. You can choose from the many options Rio Buffalo Outfitter has. They rent anything from canoes, solo kayaks, tandem kayaks, and even rafts. They also provide great discounts if you rent the craft for more than three days.
If you do decide to rent a craft, you will indeed be in need of some way to get to the river. Thankfully, there are multiple shuttle services in Jasper. Rio Buffalo Outfitter offers multiple shuttles and shuttle times. There are also more local shuttles in Jasper.