We love providing day trip inspiration for summer activities in the Natural State, from water wonderlands to unique natural wonders to explore on all-day hikes. Short excursions are fun, especially for the youngest Arkansans, but there’s one epic adventure that can easily take up a couple of weeks and will definitely make your summer complete: Buffalo River tubing. Whether you enjoy this adventure all in one go by tackling the whole river or just take a couple of point-to-point floats over a few weekends to enjoy with the family, there’s nothing like a Buffalo River tubing in Arkansas float trip.

The Buffalo National River is perhaps the most iconic piece of Arkansas nature. It's more than just a pretty place to look at though: this river is a gateway to endless adventures, including some of the best tubing in Arkansas.
Steven Rodriguez/Flickr
It's easy to see why the beloved Buffalo became the first designated national river in 1972. The Buffalo is also one of the few free-flowing rivers left in the country, which means it's a prime river for paddlers and floaters. A good place to begin our floating journey is at the far west side of the river, near the Buffalo Outdoor Center. Nothing compares to a Buffalo River, Arkansas float trip.
The river can be divided into three portions; the upper, middle, and lower Buffalo. Each has its own flair, but all have an unrivaled beauty.
Google/Chris Williams
The entire river is nearly 150 miles long, so there's plenty of options for multi-day float trips. The Ponca to Pruitt in the Upper Buffalo is one of the most popular. Just this one point-to-point float takes a weekend to complete, or longer if you want to explore shore side.
The Middle Buffalo flows from Pruitt to about Gilbert. This is where you'll find some of the most beautiful campsites and famous bluff formations.
Google/Patrick Caple
Pictured is the Skull Bluff, part of the "Nars" in the Middle Buffalo. This section is about 50 miles long and has plenty of trip options. Float for two days from Pruitt to Mt. Hersey, take a swimming day at Woolum, or set up camp at the Tyler Bend Campground. The river in this section is pretty mild, with only class I and II rapids to keep up the flow.

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The Lower Buffalo is the most calm of the sections, which makes it perfect for new paddlers.
Google/Minh Dinh
The Lower portion is just under 50 miles and runs from Gilbert to Buffalo City, where it joins the White River. This slower-paced flow is great for swimming or a lazy float. You'll find the ghost town of Rush along this portion as well!
So no matter if you're taking a solo kayak to reconnect with nature...
Flickr/Buffalo Outdoor Center
...or a group float to reconnect with friends, the Buffalo National River has the adventure you need!
Google/Anton Korolev

Check out this handy Buffalo River tubing map. You can learn more from the Buffalo Outdoor Center website.

Have you ever enjoyed Buffalo River tubing in Arkansas? Share your experiences in the comments! You can also add your float photos in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’s stunning nature.

Of course, the mighty Buffalo River is home to more than just floating and tubing trips in Arkansas! Stay at the state’s most beautiful campground and explore the rest of this national treasure.

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buffalo river arkansas float trips

Sarah M. | July 08, 2022

What are the best adventure outfitters for tubing in Arkansas?

There's nothing quite like a day spent tubing in Arkansas along the mighty Buffalo River. The river offers unparalleled water recreation within the Arkansas Ozarks, with some of the best kayaking in the country. Buffalo Outdoor Center, which we profiled above, organizes myriad adventures down this resplendent river, from half-day floats to multi-day journeys. Regardless of your your rafting acumen, opportunities abound for all to experience one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the country. The Buffalo National River, albeit a truly treasured Arkansas gem, is not the only place to float your boat in the Natural State. An underrated float trip you may have missed is along the Caddo River. Caddo River Camping and Canoe Rental offers canoe, kayak, tube, and raft rentals, and it is also home to a river campground where you’ll have an unforgettable tubing adventure along a natural lazy river in Arkansas. These outfitters are just the tip of the iceberg, though -- here are several more places that offer epic tubing in Arkansas!

Is the Buffalo National River the best river in Arkansas?

The Natural State is, pardon the pun, a natural beauty. And the Buffalo National River is truly one of its crown jewels. The Buffalo National River flows freely for 153 miles through upper Arkansas, beginning in the Boston Mountains and ending in the White River. Established in 1972 as America's First National River, this beautiful body of water is one of the last remaining undammed rivers in the Lower 48. The river offers unparalleled water recreation within the Arkansas Ozarks, and truly is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the country.

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Buffalo National River Park Road, Buffalo Nat'l River Pk Rd, Arkansas 72634, USA