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Dave's Paddle Site

I'm Dave Young, paddler. I hope you will like this site I've made about the water.

All of these items are very important to have in the backcountry.

FIRST AID KIT		I recommend bringing a good first aid kit, even the ones with lots of stuff weigh very little.
DUCT TAPE		Perfect for fixing a broken shoe or to fix supports around a broken leg. Even if you don't break your legs or your shoes, duct tape will still come in handy for fixing pretty much anything.
STEEL WIRE		Steel wire is an excellent thing to bring. You never know what you're going to use it for but you always end up using it for something. This is specially true in a wilderness emergency.
CAMPSTOVE		I tried a Stratus Trailstove a couple of years ago and I haven't used anything else since. It's unbeatable, it burns wood which many people seem to think is primitive, I agree it's primitive and it works great. Why should we have to bring compressed gas to the wilderness when people were doing just fine for thousands of years with wood. It weighs less than a pound and costs $19.95, need I say more? Just get one and your paddling will be easier in every way.
WATER		Always make sure you're bringing enough water or have access to water where you are going.
TENT		There is very small difference between expensive tents and cheap tents. A 300 dollar tent is about 10% better than a 30 dollar tent, if you are planning an expedition to climb K2 the extra spending might be worth it, but anywhere below 12,000 feet a cheap tent is just fine.
FOOD		Don't get those dehydrated bags of camping food. Just bring plenty of rice. Just eat beef jerky for meat and some carrots for veggies and your all set.

Making a fire

Gather some wood, a handful of very thin twigs and a couple of handfuls of finger thick sticks will be enough to get things started. You also need to gather a number of larger pieces of wood to keep the fire going for as long as you want to.

Make a ring with rocks on the ground or dig a pit for the fire.

Make a teepee shape with the sticks and twigs, the thinner pieces on the inside and the thicker on the outside, leave a space open on one side of the teepee.

Put some starter material such as some dry leaves into the side opening and ignite.

Once the teepee collapses into a random looking heap of fire you can start adding the bigger pieces.

Buffalo National River

Harrison, AR

The Buffalo River is one of the few remaining unpolluted, free-flowing rivers in the lower 48 states offering both swift-running and placid stretches. The Buffalo National River encompasses 135 miles of the 150-mile long river. It begins as a trickle in the Boston Mountains 15 miles above the park boundary. Following what is likely an ancient riverbed, the Buffalo cuts its way through massive limestone bluffs traveling eastward through the Ozarks and into the White River. The national river has three designated wilderness areas within its boundaries.

Headquarters is located in Harrison, Arkansas, providing administrative services to the national river. The Tyler Bend Visitor Center, the main visitor center for the park, is located eleven miles north of Marshall, Arkansas. The park has two other visitor contact stations; the Pruitt Ranger Station, located five miles north of Jasper, Arkansas on Highway 7, and Buffalo Point Ranger Station, located 17 miles south of Yellville, Arkansas, on Highway 14.

CONTACTS

Email - buff_information@nps.gov

Fax- 870-741-7286

Write to
402 N Walnut, Suite 136
Harrison, AR 72601

Phone
Visitor Information - (870) 439-2502
Headquarters - (870) 741-5443
Headquarters(TDD) - (870) 741-2884
Visitor Information - (870) 449-4311
Visitor Information - (870) 446-5373

TRAVEL BASICS

Getting There
PLANE - airports in Harrison, AR, Springfield, MO, Fayetteville, AR and Little Rock, AR.

CAR - Buffalo National River is a long, narrow park that is crossed by three main highways. Using Harrison as a starting point: To reach the Upper District, visitors travel south from Harrison on Highway 7, or Highway 43; To reach the Middle District, visitors travel 31 miles south of Harrison on Highway 65; To reach the Lower District, visitors take Highway 65 south from Harrison for five miles, then take Highway 62/412 to the east to Yellville, and Highway 14 south.

BUS - bus stations in Harrison, AR, and Mountain Home, AR

PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - no public transportation in the park

Weather & Climate
The winter months of December, January and February are the coldest with an average three and two-tenths inches of precipitation. It can snow in this area. Dress with warm layers. If canoeing during these months, a wet suit or other cold water protection is recommended. The months of March, April, and May are warmer and ususally are the rainiest time of year, so rain gear is suggested. The months of June, July and August bring hot and humid conditions. Dress in shorts and light clothing. Wear lots of sunblock and a protective covering for the head. Fall brings more seasonable weather.

Accessibility
The most accessible area is Tyler Bend. Visitors can obtain more information on park accessibility by calling Park Headquarters.

FEES/PERMITS

Permits
BUFFALO POINT DRIVE IN SITES
$15 for Day
RV and tent use; sites have water and electricity; Late October through April 1: electricity and water not available at site; flush toilets/showers not available; water available nearby; portable restroom avaiable; no charge for camping

BUFFALO POINT GROUP SITES
$20 minimum for Day
minimum 10 people, maximum 50; tent camping only, $2 per person per night; water at site; group sites are closed from late October through April 1

BUFFALO POINT PAVILION
$50 for Day
day use only (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.); pavilions closed from late October through April 1

BUFFALO POINT WALK IN TENT SITES
$10 for Day
tent camping only, water nearby; walk-in tent sites closed from late October through April 1

TYLER BEND DRIVE IN SITES
$10 for Day
RV and tent use; no water and electricity at site; Late October through April 1: no flush toilets, showers, or water available; portable restroom available; no fees charged

TYLER BEND GROUP SITES
$20 minimum for Day
minimum 10 people, maximum 25; tent camping only, $2 per person per night; water at site; Late October through April 1: flush toilets, showers and water not available; portable restroom available; no fees charged

TYLER BEND PAVILION
$50 for Day
day use only (6:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.); Late October through April 1: no charge

TYLER BEND WALK IN SITES
$10 for Day
tent camping only, water nearby; Late October through April 1: flush toilets, showers, and water not available; portable restroom available; no fees charged

CAMPING

Buffalo Point
Open All Year
Modern campground with eighty-three drive in campsites and twenty walk in campsites, available first-come/first-serve. Five group sites (for tent camping groups of ten to fifty) are availible by reservation. Three drive in campsites are accessible. Picnic tables, fire grates, drinking water available year round; showers, flush toilets, water & electric hookups, and dump station available April - October. Three picnic pavilions availible by reservation. Camping and pavilion fees required April - October.
For More Information on this campground please call (870) 449-4311or 741-5443

Carver
Open All Year
Primitive campground with eight campsites, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Picnic tables and vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)439-2502 or 741-5443

Erbie
Open All Year
Primitive campground with fourteen drive-in campsites, sixteen walk in campsites, and ten group sites available first-come/first-serve. One drive in and one walk in campsite are accessible. Picnic tables, fire grates, drinking water, and vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)446-5373 or 741-5443

Hasty
Open All Year
Primitive campground with two campsites, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Picnic tables and vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)446-5373 or 741-5443

Highway 14 Bridge (Dillard's Ferry)
Open All Year
Primitive campground with open camping, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)449-4311 or 741-5443

Kyles Landing
Open All Year
Primitive campground with thirty-three campsites, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Picnic tables, fire grates, drinking water, and vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)446-5373 or 741-5443

Lost Valley
Open All Year
Primitive campground with fifteen campsites, available first-come/first-serve. Two campsites are accessible. Picnic tables, fire grates, drinking water, and flush toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)446-5373 or 741-5443

Maumee South
Open All Year
Primitive campground with open camping, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)439-2502 or 741-5443

Mt. Hersey
Open All Year
Primitive campground with open camping, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Fire grates and vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)439-2502 or 741-5443

Ozark
Open All Year
Primitive campground with thirty-five campsites, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Picnic tables, fire grates, drinking water, and flush toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)446-5373 or 741-5443

Rush
Open All Year
Primitive campground with open camping, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Drinking water, fire grates, and vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)449-4311 or 741-5443

Steel Creek
Open All Year
Primitive campground with twenty-six campsites, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Picnic tables, fire grates, drinking water, and vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)446-5373 or 741-5443

Tyler Bend
Open All Year
Modern campground with twenty eight drive in campsites and ten walk in campsites, available first-come/first-serve. Five group sites (for tent camping groups of ten to twenty-five) are availible by reservation. One drive in, one walk in, and one group campsites are accessible. Picnic tables, fire grates, and drinking water available year round; showers, flush toilets, and dump station available April - October. No water and electricy at the campsite. Picnic pavilion availible by reservation. Camping and pavilion fees required April - October.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)439-2502 or 741-5443

Woolum
Open All Year
Primitive campground with open camping, available first-come/first-serve. No campsites are accessible. Fire grates and vault toilets available. No camping fees required.
For More Information on this campground please call (870)439-2502 or 741-5443

LODGING

Buffalo Point Concession
Open From March 1 To November 30
Located at Buffalo Point, both rustic and modern cabins are available for rental. These cabins are very popular and should be reserved well in advance. Reservations for the current year may be made seven days a week from January 2 through November 30. For more information and reservation policy, contact Buffalo Point Concession, 2261 Hwy. 268 E, Yellville, AR, 72687, or call (870) 449-6206.
For More Information on this lodging please call (870) 449-6206

FACILITIES

BUFFALO POINT CAMPGROUND INFORMATION STATION
Open Memorial Day Weekend through the end of July hours vary, check locally
Phone - (870) 449-4311
Location - 17 miles south of Yellville, AR, on Highway 14/268 in the Buffalo Point Campground
Closures - Days and hours vary. Check locally.
Special Programs - Evening programs are offered daily in the summer at the Buffalo Point Amphitheater. Additional programs are offered, including guided hikes, guided canoe floats, cave tours, and junior ranger programs. Check at the information stations or consult local postings for more information.
Exhibits - none
Available Facilities - drinking water and restrooms

Ranger Stations
BUFFALO POINT RANGER STATION
Open All Year
Memorial Day - Labor Day 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Rest of Year 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone - (870) 449-4311
Location - 17 miles south of Yellville, AR, on Highway 14/268
Closures - Labor Day to Memorial Day - closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day
Special Programs - An 8 minute park orientation video is shown by request. Evening programs are offered daily in the summer at the Buffalo Point Amphitheater. Additional programs including guided hikes, guided canoe floats, cave tours, and junior ranger programs are also offered. Check at the ranger station or consult local postings for more information.
Exhibits - Exhibits depicting the natural and cultural resources of the Buffalo River Valley are offered at no charge.
Available Facilities - drinking water and restrooms

PRUITT RANGER STATION
March - September days and hours vary
Phone - (870) 446-5373
Location - located five miles north of Jasper, AR, on Highway 7
Closures - Days and hours vary. Check locally.
Special Programs - A 17-minute park orientation video is shown by request. Evening programs are offered seasonally at the Ozark Campground on Friday and Saturday nights. Additional programs including junior ranger programs are also offered. Check at the ranger station or consult local postings for more information.
Exhibits - none
Available Facilities - drinking water and restrooms

Visitor Centers
TYLER BEND VISITOR CENTER
Open All Year
Memorial Day to Labor Day 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Rest of Year 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Phone - (870) 439-2502
Location - eleven miles north of Marshall, AR, on Highway 65
Closures - Labor Day to Memorial Day - closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays, as well as Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day
Special Programs - A 17-minute park orientation video is shown on request. Evening programs are offered seasonally at the Tyler Bend Amphitheater on Friday and Saturday nights. Additional programs include guided hikes, guided canoe floats, and junior ranger programs. Check at the visitor center or consult local postings for more information.
Exhibits - Exhibits depicting the natural and cultural resources of the Buffalo River Valley are offered at no charge.
Available Facilities - drinking water and accessible restrooms

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