THE ARKANSAS SCENIC RIVERS GREAT CIRCLE ROUTE

Highlights

• 513 mile Hike and Paddle beginning and ending at Dwat Mill, MO the northern trailhead of the Keystone Section
• This is a late spring only hike and paddle or year round with good water.
• You will hike 233 miles of the BRT and OHT sections
• You will float/paddle 169 miles of the Buffalo and White Rivers
• 18 miles of bushwhacking are involved
• Plan to stay in the Upper Buffalo wilderness(Ponca) to view the tallest waterfall in Arkansas.
• Figure 60 days if you don't laze around fishing and swimming.

The Trails

1. The route begins at Dwat Mill, MO
2. Hike 78 miles of the Keystone Section of Missouri and Arkansas. The section is only partially complete.
3. Road walk 6.5 miles between the Norfork dam trailhead and Matney Know trailhead of the OHT Sylamore Section
4. Hike all 29 miles of the OHT Sylamore section.
5. Bushwhack or road walk all 18 miles of the OHT East section.
6. Hike 27 miles of the Buffalo River central section from Grinder's Ferry to Woolum trailhead of the BRT central section.
7. Hike all 59 miles from Woolum trailhead to Ponca landing of the BRT west section.
8. Float 67 miles of the Buffalo River from Ponca landing to Tyler Bend Recreation Area
9. Float 25 miles of the Buffalo River from Tyler Bend Recreation Area to Dillard's Ferry
10. float 43 miles of the Lower Buffalo River and a 12 mile segment of the White River Norfork River rd landing
11. Float 34 miles of the White River from Norfork River rd landing to Allison landing
12. Hike all 22 miles from North Sylamore Creek trailhead to Cripple Turkey road trailhead of the OHT Sylamore Creek section
13. Hike 22 miles from Cripple Turkey road trailhead to Norfork River rd landing of the OHT Sylamore section
14. Road walk 6.5 miles between Matney Know trailhead of the OHT Sylamore Section and the Norfork dam trailhead
15. Paddle 80 Miles of the Norfork Lake from the QUARRY MARINA to Tecumseh landing on Norfork Lake.
16. Hike 6 miles from Tecumseh, MO landing to Dwat Mill, MO on the Keystone Section

River levels can change drastically and quickly on the Buffalo River depending on rainfall, making passage and maneuverability more difficult. During high water conditions this river can be treacherous. The upper Buffalo River is not floatable in late summer and fall.

The White River segment is floatable year round.

• Coordinate with outfitter at Buffalo Outdoor Center or other outfitter along the river to have canoe waiting at Ponca landing.
• Coordinate with any one of the outfitters serving the BRT central section.
• Coordinate with outfitter at Wild Bill's or Buffalo River Float Service. You may have to change outfitters at Buffalo Shoals.
• Coordinate with outfitter at Lemley's Cedar Rock Inn or Anglers White River Resort to have canoe waiting at Norfork River rd landing.

Lemley's Cedar Rock Inn
phone: (870) 297-3474

Anglers White River Resort
phone: 870-585-2231

Wild Bill's Outfitter
phone: 870-449-6235

Buffalo Outdoor Center
phone: (870) 861-5514

Buffalo River Float Service
Phone: 1-870-449-2042

During April and May the nights are chilly but when the sun is out it is comfortable for hiking. The OHT and rivers are remote. You may encounter river otters, feral hogs, bears, bobcats, elk and other things that go bump in the night (opossums, raccoons)

Most of the traffic you will see on the White River is recreational. And most of this traffic will be fishermen. Watch out for their wakes. Keep your bow pointed into the oncoming wave and make sure your gear is secured and boat balanced. At night, be sure to have the required white navigation light clearly displayed. If you see a boat approaching at night, it wouldn't hurt to get the flashlights out and make sure they can see you. Also, you can use a whistle or an air horn to signal.