[River Map]  

HELPFUL HINTS

1. Obtain river condition information prior to trip from LOST VALLEY CANOE SERVICE at (870) 861-5522.

2. Be sure to make reservations for trip in advance with LOST VALLEY CANOE SERVICE at (870) 861-5522.

3. Always bring plenty of warm clothes and an extra set to be stored in dry buckets.

4. Tie all gear into canoe.

5. Camp on high ground and secure canoes well.

6. Always wear lifevest and exercise caution.

7. Contact the experts at LOST VALLEY CANOE SERVICE to assist you in the preparation of an enjoyable and safe trip.

MILES FROM

     PONCA         DISTANCES AND RIVER NOTES

                6    -    Boxley to Ponca

                0    -    PONCA LOW WATER BRIDGE (Arkansas High­way 74) One lane concrete bridge used as the most common gage of determining river conditions. The  lowest floatable level is about 32 inches of airspace between the bottom of the bridge span and the water  level. No airspace is considered dangerous and down river access is prohibited. This access is by far the most desirable by most whitewater enthusiasts but is restricted in its use on Saturdays because of congestion.

           0.3    -     FIRST BLUFF on left then shoal to right followed by large gravel bar on left, which is a good campsite.

            1.1    -    BEE BLUFF just downstream of 100 yard rock garden.

            1.2    -     UPPER STEEL CREEK ACCESS on right at top of shoal is rarely used.

            1.5    -     WRECKING ROCK is at midstream. Be alert!

            2.0    -     ROARK BLUFF on left is the longest bluff on the river and one of the most beautiful.

            2.6    -    STEEL CREEK ACCESS on right with camp­ground. Buildings are visible to the right above Steel Creek which enters on right just downstream.

            3.2    -     FISHER POINT on right.

            4.6    -     BIG BLUFF is the highest (over 500 ft.) and one of the most magnificent bluffs to be found anywhere. Opposite big bluff is a good camping gravel bar. The goat trail is a ledge, which extends the length of Big Bluff, 350 ft. above the river.

           6.5    -    JIM BLUFF on left with large overhang has smooth rock with easy access from river for picnicking.

            7.1    -    SNEEDS CREEK on left marks beginning of Horseshoe Bend. just downstream is Suck Hole where about.25% of the low water flow on the Buffalo runs underground shortcutting Horseshoe Bend. 1.5 mile access to Hemmed-in-Hollow is here although not recommended due to much easier access at mile 7.5.

            7.5    -     HEMMED-IN-HOLLOW on left is a narrow dead-end canyon extending north. The approach is recognized by a low flat rock ledge along the right river bank. .5 miles up canyon path is a beautiful 200 ft. waterfall, the highest in the Ozarks.

           7.8     -     FISHTRAP HOLE and just downstream is stone ruins of a cabin. The underground flow from Suck Hole returns to the river at this point. Then, downstream is a 60 yd. rock garden with nice camping on left up high and a good gravel bar on the right bank.

           8.3     -     LICK FORD with an S-shaped shoal.

           8.4     -     BEAR CREEK HOLLOW is a spectacular walk up a winding creek with cascading waterfalls filled with moss and ferns on left.

           9.8     -     INDIAN CREEK. Just where the south running Buffalo River turns back to the north, Indian Creek enters the Buffalo behind a gravel bar and is easy to miss. Acclaimed by many to be the most picturesque area in the entire Ozark Mountain Region. It is a narrow twisting canyon with caves, waterfalls and under­ground tunnels.

           9.9     -    GRAY ROCK SHOAL or more commonly referred to as The Haystacks consists of 200 yds. of high cresting white caps and waves which is a thrill to go through as you approach Gray Rock.

         10.0     -     GRAY ROCK. The infamous Gray Rock which has caused many canoes to capsize, usually in a harmless fashion. In any event, canoeists who have already been by the rock which juts into the river course from the left, usually stop to enjoy the spectacle of their successors and their success or lack of. If you bear to the right and hug the inside curve of the right hand bend, no difficulty should arise.

       10.3      -     KYLES LANDING. A major access and primitive campground on right utilized by LOST VALLEY CANOE SERVICE which provides for excellent stopover on a two-day float or a perfect take-out for a one-day float. Road to Kyle's is somewhat rugged and is not recommended for RVs or buses. LOST VALLEY CANOE SERVICE is fully equipped to provide shuttle service of any kind into Kyle's Landing.

        10.5      -    A BLUFF immediately downstream and on the left following Kyle's Landing is followed by a long pool running toward the face of Buzzard Bluff; then the river turns left toward Gar Hole Bluff, which is yellowish and then Camp Orr.

        11.9      -    CAMP ORR is a Boy Scout camp and the old access is downstream of the camp buildings on the right bank with an island on the left.

       14.8       -    GOAT BLUFF is on left bank just before right loop in river course.

       15.5       -     ERBIE FORD and recently developed Erbie Campground are used as a limited access point.

       17.4       -    BUCKING FORD just before a right turn has a series of broken ledges.

       20.3       -    OVERHANGING BLUFF is a usually spectacular sight with tipped strata.

       22.0       -    OZARK CAMP AND ACCESS is an excellent camping and river access facility equipped with toilets and water with beautifully situated campsites. RVs and buses can easily negotiate the Ozark Access road from Highway 7. On the left bank across from Ozark Camp is Picture Bluff and just downstream is Briar Bluff.

      24.0       -     OLD PRUITT ACCESS AND HWY 7 BRIDGE. The Pruitt Ranger Station is uphill on right before bridge.

      24.3       -     PRUITT ACCESS is on left sweeping bend on left. No camping is available at either Pruitt locations.

      28.4       -     LITTLE BUFFALO RIVER joins the main course at this point contributing a substantial amount of water flow on right. Good camping gravel bar is to be found on left just below confluence.

      31.6       -     HASTY LOW WATER BRIDGE is a commonly used access point. Portage is necessary and easier to the right. At high water, the bridge is not readily visible and can cause a hazardous situation if caution is not observed.

      35.4       -    CARVER'S 123 BRIDGE overhead is readily visible with take-out and primitive camp on right.

      35.6       -     BIG CREEK on the right with good camping on left side gravel bar.

      39.9       -    FALLS BLUFF on left is one of the longest bluffs on the river with several beautiful waterfalls in wet weather.

     42.4       -     MT. HERSEY is on left just at a small gravel spit as river turns right at Davis Creek.

      46.0       -    JOHN REDDELL BLUFF is visible for almost a mile upstream. Base of bluff is a local fishing spot. The next good camping spot is down­stream on right by Cane Bluff.

      49.0       -    THE NARROWS or THE NARRS BLUFF is on the right and is most unusual because of its shape. The bluff appears to be about 100 ft. tall with a lower neck extending off to the right.

      49.4       -    SKULL BLUFF has large depressions on the water line.

      50.8       -     WOOLUM FORD ACCESS A rugged access from U.S 65 which is unimproved.