Paddle Erbie to Ozark

A paddler in a blue kayak floats past an undercut rock feature on the Buffalo River.

NPS

A serene, 5.4-mile stretch of the upper Buffalo carries paddlers from Erbie to Ozark. From Erbie Access, a chute sweeps left against a small, undercut wall of sandstone to begin a long thread of shaded pools and swimming holes named for and by the farmers who used to reside nearby. About halfway to Ozark, Porch Bluff juts out over the water on river right, immediately before the mouth of Sawmill Hollow. This drainage is teeming with wildflowers in early spring, and it has some of the biggest sycamore trees you’ll ever see. After another mile, the canopy opens up dramatically, and large rock shelves offer a nice area to sunbathe on river left. The river makes a sharp bend to the right just before the takeout. Briar Bluff towers over a deep, crystal-clear swimming hole, and Ozark Campground is just uphill from the sandy beach on river right. Shuttle time between Erbie and Ozark is approximately 30 minutes.

Details

Duration

3-4 Hours

Depending on river conditions and paddling experience, this trip takes the average paddler 3 to 4 hours

Activity

Paddling

This serene stretch of the upper Buffalo carries paddlers from Erbie to Ozark. From Erbie Access, a chute sweeps left against a small, undercut wall of sandstone to begin a long thread of shaded pools and swimming holes named for and by the farmers who used to reside nearby. About halfway to Ozark, Porch Bluff juts out over the water on river right, immediately before the mouth of Sawmill Hollow. This drainage is teeming with wildflowers in early spring, and it has some of the biggest sycamore trees you’ll ever see. After another mile, the canopy opens up dramatically, and large rock shelves offer a nice area to sunbathe on river left. The river makes a sharp bend to the right just before the takeout. Briar Bluff towers over a deep, crystal-clear swimming hole, and Ozark Campground is just uphill from the sandy beach on river right. Shuttle time between Erbie and Ozark is approximately 30 minutes.

Pets Allowed

Yes

• Leashed pets are permitted on gravel bars up to 100' from the water's edge.
• Pets may not be left unattended. Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dog, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively.
• Pet excrement must be collected by pet owners, and disposed of in trash receptacles.

Activity Fee

No

There is no fee to paddle the Buffalo River in your own boat. However, if you need a vehicle shuttle or a rental boat, authorized concessionaires offer these services for a fee. See https://www.nps.gov/buff/canoe-rentals.htm for more information.

Location

Erbie Boat Launch

The Erbie Boat Launch is located approximately 6 miles down the Erbie Campground Road from Hwy. 7 near the town of Jasper, AR. The boat launch has picnic tables, a vault toilet, and an emergency phone. Erbie Campground is adjacent to the boat launch and offers walk-in and drive-up tent camping sites.

Reservations

No

Reservations are not required to paddle the Buffalo River in your own boat. However, if you need to rent a boat, authorized concessionaires encourage reservations. See https://www.nps.gov/buff/canoe-rentals.htm for more information.

Season

Year Round

Private boaters can paddle this section year-round if conditions allow. However, rental boaters must adhere to the season established by the authorized concessionaire from whom they rent. See https://www.nps.gov/buff/canoe-rentals.htm for more information.

Accessibility Information

This activity is accessible to those who can get in and out of a kayak or canoe and maneuver the kayak or canoe in swift water with sharp bends and occasional obstacles. This section of the Buffalo River is not recommended for beginners.