Buffalo National River: Tyler Bend to Gilbert

by Danielle · May 15, 2019

I think it’s safe to say that our float trips have become an annual tradition. Each year our group gets larger and we gain new experience. In preparations for this year’s float trip I realized that I forgot to post about our 2018 float…..so, here goes!

A Beautiful Day

The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and the air felt warm providing perfect contrast to the chilly water of the Buffalo National River. The river levels were running slightly lower than usual due to minimal rainfall so we opted to float a little further East on the river where the water usually runs a bit deeper. We set out on the river around 9 am to allow ourselves plenty of time to reach Gilbert before dark. We have learned to allow a few more hours than the expected float time especially with a growing group because breaks to eat, swim, or fish are common. This particular stretch on the river is 5.8 miles long and, if on task, takes 3-4 hours. We like to play so we planned for 6-7 hours. It’s always better to estimate more time when planning a trip down the river.

We don’t always listen to music, in fact, music isn’t allowed in some areas, but when it’s on….WE DANCE!

Be Prepared

It’s important to always bring a cooler full of water/sport drinks because being out in the sun all day can really dehydrate you and you don’t want to be sick out on the river. Sometimes you have miles in between river access points. We also brought fruit, chips, granola bars, and sandwiches to snack on. The water was flowing steadily so we didn’t have to work too hard paddling our kayaks. The sun got a little intense but we came prepared with hats, sunscreen and a few extra shirts in our dry sacks. I always bring sunglasses because the sun can be very bright reflecting off of the water.

Use Caution

There were a few rapid areas but they were fairly mild. We did see a few water snakes. They like to stay in the areas of the river that have slower water flow or brush/trees at the water’s edge or bends that create little nooks/crannies for them. Always be on the lookout for wildlife or things that might be dangerous when you are on the river.

So Much Fun

Overall it was such a great day. We swam in the crisp, clear water, lounged and picnicked on the rocky beaches, gathered moss and gave ourselves mustaches for silly photos, a few of us did some fishing, we all had moments with mini conversations with each other in addition to loads of group conversations, and new memories made. The water washed away our anxieties, sparked our sense of adventure, and left us all feeling a special bond strengthening our friendships.

Continued Adventure

We decided to camp that weekend knowing we wouldn’t feel like driving far after a full day on our kayaks. Luckily, we found a spot at the Tyler Bend campground that Friday night which had already nearly reached capacity by the the time we arrived. It is a small, but well kept campground with flush toilets and showers which is a rare find along the river. Primitive camping is much more common in this area. We enjoyed spending time around the campfire and having the option to shower before calling it a night.