The Buffalo River, a 125 Mile Float

An hour long video I made while floating 125 miles from Ponca to Buffalo City on the Buffalo River over seven days. It was an incredible trip. So get you a cup of coffee, turn up the volume, sit back & enjoy a float down The Beautiful Buffalo River in HD.
Thanks for watching.

[@ep5005]

Absolutely stunningly beautiful video. I was totally captivated. 👏👏👏👏👏

[@lachlanm3439]

Thank You. A video about The Buffalo River that wasn't about you, your gear or The Camping Food Channel...just starring The River. Magnificent, well done! So much beauty in one place. And great tunes.

[@garyarazorback1]

Thanks and I appreciate your kind words.

[@SafetyMentalst]

WOW! IT TAKES A BUFFALO RIVER 125 MILE FLOAT TO RELEASE A LIFETIME OF STRESS! THANK YOU PAL !

[@garyarazorback1]

You are welcome. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@DG-fn7qg]

Seriously, great video! Good mix of music and sounds of water. I like the camera angle as well. Thank you for sharing!

[@glindadriver9850]

Great scenery.. I have made float trips down the Buffalo nearly every year since 1997.One of the members of our group made his first Buffalo float in 1954. We usually make the float in jon boats starting from Rush. I've never had a bad float.

[@garyarazorback1]

Glinda Driver We saw several folks in guided Jon Boats from Maumee down. Maybe one day I will give that a try.

[@brickogden]

I grew up NW Arkansas. I floated this river from small child until late teens when I joined USMC. Haven't seen it since. Memories of teen years- weekends at the swing on Jim's Bluff. This vid almost brings tears bro. Thank you for the work you put into this.

[@garyarazorback1]

I glad you enjoyed the video & hope it will encourage you to get back to the river soon.

[@kelseabeasley6286]

Ok, so the turn at 5:30 is where a large lady and her scrawny boyfriend flipped. He couldn’t get a foothold so we had to get him and their stuff. The funniest part of the whole thing was her yelling at us saying, “get my boyfriend!” 😂😂

[@mcmc8496]

Videos such as this remind me of how lucky I am to live here!

[@jeffstull2534]

Great video, thanks for sharing your trip. My wife and I have vacationed in Jasper many times and love the Buffalo around Jasper and Ponca and in between. Low Gap Cafe is an amazing place to eat.

[@eaf27]

great video! as john said thank you for sharing. I got married on the buffalo at the ozark access it's nice to see it through others eyes. if only there were more people like you on youtube! again thank you so much and safe travels sir.

[@garyarazorback1]

eaf27 Thank you :-)

[@Dragracer612]

Man, I'd love to do this float. I used to live in Harrison...sure do miss that river. It is a very special place.

[@jameslane2667]

Really good canoeing video one of the best I've seen James KCMO

[@garyarazorback1]

Thanks James. It was a great trip & I am glad I made the video.

[@mobydickhead1]

I was gonna ask when you did this, but the answer is below. nice, thanks for filming it, I've only did a day near ponca, I found this river on accident taking back roads from Oklahoma city to Illinois. this place is unlike any other ive hiked or floated. You've inspired me to do the whole thing or at least as much as I can without soaking all my gear.

[@probono1330]

Thank you. Excellent vid. honestly youtube hasn't altered my life, but this vid... its on the bucket list, already alter some life plans... thnks for postding this. kudos, thanks,

[@garyarazorback1]

Thank you for your kind comment. I’m glad you enjoyed the video. I enjoyed making it and watching it myself. It definitely takes me back to the trip. And what a great trip it was. Bucket list for me too. ✅😎

[@ClaytonWells]

Who would down-vote this? Cool video and cool trip.

[@The79woody]

right. ..I haven't even watched it yet and I gave it a thumbs up.

[@garyarazorback1]

I know I had someone say that it had too many shots of myself in the video. To which I replied that 1st & foremost I made this video for my family & I hope that one day my kids will want to watch it & can one day show it to their kids. I think how cool it would be to have a video like this of my dad or my grandpa. Thanks for watching!!

[@ClaytonWells]

Some people!

[@markseabaugh4157]

exactly some people will bitch if there ice cream is cold my son and i are doing a channel for just this reason check us on theozarkexplorer great vid

[@saksa8937]

I am really really really really really really really really really really really really jeαlous of you!!!!! Perfect trip!

[@cesdailylife6903]

Very impressive, nature lover here. The river is so clear.

[@ronthomas7892]

Very good video, thank you. I will be doing this float to Rush the last week in May 2021.

[@mooreoutdoor9841]

Beautiful Trip! Loved the eagle photos!

[@cabinman]

Great video! Me and some friends went down the lower section last september...Rush to Buffalo City. Didn't video it. Just wanted to say thanks for doing the video and compliment you on a great job!

[@garyarazorback1]

+4familyfun Thank you. It was a wonderful trip. I'm glad that I took the time to make this video myself.

[@1456Sassy]

I've only watched Day One, so far and am lovin it! This is amazing! You even chose the perfect music!

[@garyarazorback1]

+Sassy Frassy Thanks & keep watching :-)

[@1456Sassy]

+Gary Alderson Thank you for taking me along on your journey! I enjoyed that tremendously! I never had the opportunity to go when I was younger, now this old body probably couldn't handle a trip like that! How many hours were you in the canoes each day? I've always loved the Ozarks and the natural beauty here in everything, be it, the rock formation, the rivers, the wildlife and all that goes with it!

[@markseabaugh4157]

nice job can't wait to see the current river

[@NoTrail]

Beauty!...Looks like you had good water and great weather.

[@garyarazorback1]

+Patrick Caple (No Trail Required) Almost perfect!!

[@deaton123able]

This is cool man ! Thanks for sharing..

[@garyarazorback1]

Thank you I'm glad you enjoyed it. It was a great trip & one I look forward to doing again.

[@buckskin88]

Beautiful Trip!! I hope to do this!

[@gkarjala]

This is cool, i applaud you. Thx for the trip down the Buffalo, I'd like to make it one day but so many rivers, not a whole lotta time. this river is on my map though.

[@garyarazorback1]

Thank you :-) The Buffalo River is as good as it gets as far as floatin' goes. I'm lucky to have it just right here in my neck of the woods.

[@marydouglas5096]

Thank you!

[@themarcusallen]

Awesome video. Thanks!

[@tradarchery3]

Very well done...! Thank you for posting the video.

[@garyarazorback1]

+Missouri Sheepdog I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@Cpresoz]

I can't believe I never commented on this, Gary. The whole thing is like a dream. Great video! Curtis P.

[@garyarazorback1]

Curtis I’m so glad that I got the chance to to it and I am very glad that I made this video. It’s like a dream for me too.

[@lordkestlerful]

fantastic video thank you

[@garyarazorback1]

Thank you

[@williamgibbs71]

Nice footage. Thanks

[@mobydickhead1]

very nice photo at the end.

[@garyarazorback1]

+MobyDickHead thank you, That one made the Calendar for next year. In fact it is the Cover Photo :-)

[@JFish-df2ep]

This is awesome

[@garyarazorback1]

Thank You!!

[@DeafPaddler]

good video, i am looking forward, myself soon in fall

[@garyarazorback1]

It is a great river anytime of year.

[@toddsiebert9265]

We just did this trip. Steele creek to Buffalo City(rileys outfitter). 125 miles in 12 days.

[@weengreen]

Awesome video Gary! Quality is great for using free software. Way better than my GoPro vids. Epic journey.

[@garyarazorback1]

weengreen Thank you It was Epic & the weather was perfect!

[@christopherfitzgerald7294]

Great video! Me and a buddy are going to do the same this June! looking forward to it!

[@garyarazorback1]

Thanks! I hope there is enough water for you in June.

[@DucNguyen-wz8iz]

wow! so peaceful.

[@bukkyoo]

Simply beautiful. I've floated the entirety three times and haven't begun to scratch the surface of this place. Can I ask. what music did you use for the soundtrack?

[@garyarazorback1]

+Geoff Zahn Thank you & I used lots of different artist for this film. You can see them listed at the end of the film in the credits.

[@thewonderingelectrician]

awesome video and beautiful views. Wish the view from my vids was as nice but they have their own beauty. thanks for the video

[@garyarazorback1]

Thank you

[@ryverhyker5400]

Great video. I am in SW MO and still have not been down to float the Buffalo River. But, I am going to at least 3 times this year. I really appreciate the camping opportunities as most of the rivers here in MO are bordered by private property (including the stream bed and it is enforced by some landowners. I really think that is crazy, but it makes even gravel bars in the river possible trouble). Thanks for a preview of what it would be like in so many points on the river...totally comprehensive. PS if you do decide to make it an open annual event I would Love to join in if I would be welcome.

[@michaelbandeko3519]

Ryver Hyker Most streams in Missouri are navigable, there for owned by the public. As long as you stay below the mean highwater line you are allowed to canoe the stream in MO.

[@ryverhyker5400]

Thanks for the reply. The problem in MO is that the laws here in MO are a HIGH shade of gray. I am originally from Ohio so I know what you are speaking about with the "High Water Line". That is what we followed there and it was enforced 100%, but here in MO that is not the case and it has been debated for at least the 35+ years since I have been here. (Even the Dept of Conservation officers will tell you to pack up and leave a gravel bar if confronted by a property owner. I am waiting now to see the outcome of a murder trial of a property owner who shot a man for just this issue) Anyways.....Wishin' You Safe Floating.....

[@garyarazorback1]

Ryver Hyker It's hard to beat the Buffalo River in many ways. It is my favorite river by far.

[@michaelbandeko3519]

+Ryver Hyker They gave that guy 25 years and 2nd degree murder. I am sorry to hear you have had problems on the river. One of the great joys of living in MO is being able to float our free flowing streams.

[@Kingsduelingpianos]

Absolutely wonderful video! Thank you so much for sharing this. I am planning a trip this may and I am wondering if you were paddling a tandem canoe? If so, what measures did you take to trim it so that it paddled efficiently? Thanks in advance!

[@garyarazorback1]

I used a solo canoe, but one of my buddies did use a tandem canoe. He turned the canoe around so that the front seat becane the back seat & had a big yeti cooler in the middle that he sat on sometimes as well.

[@probono1330]

❤

[@TakesbyJake]

Gary, this is one of my favorite vids on all of KZbin. But question: Do you have any sort of packing list or food list of everything you took on this trip? I'd like to do this trip myself one day in my sit on top kayak.

[@garyarazorback1]

I hope you have or a still planning on doing this trip sometime. I do not have a food list. But I can tell you I prepared a lot of it before hand and we ate good every night. Sandwiches and such for lunch and simple breakfast items as well.

[@gundamearl]

Great video! What month and year was this taken?

[@douglasfry5455]

Plan to go to the Al. Coast from Franklin NC on the first of May. Any thoughts. Still looking for a traveling partner.

[@alixroosen8947]

Great! I'm planning on floating the whole river myself if the timing (aka water level and my time of work) is ever right! How long did it take you?

[@garyarazorback1]

We did it in 7 days with good water all the way

[@kt050501]

Im planning a 2 day trip and was trying to figure out the best/most scenic section to float if your only going for two days. Would you suggest the upper or lower section or a particular section we should hit? Great video by the way.

[@Dragracer612]

Ponca to Pruitt is a good one...about 24 miles. I like to stop a lot so it's pretty easy to make it last 2 days. Early spring when the water is up is a good time to go. The Buffalo River is a magical place.

[@shinklehomestead6962]

Great video. I wouldn't mind seeing more of the camps, if you're still making videos. It looks like you averaged over 20 miles per day for the first 6 days. Do you feel like this was difficult? That's about twice as much as the outfitters list. Thanks!

[@PeteBraginton]

Awesome trip...I'm really digging your videos! My friend and I are planning the same trip sometime this fall and I was curious if you recall the gauge ht./ river levels when you left Ponca? And /Or if the levels changed much over the course of the trip....looks to me like it was about perfect (maybe 4.5 ft.?) Water levels also looked pretty decent through the Lower Buffalo Wilderness, that can be a long haul with low water:) Any info. would be much appreciated...subbed ya!

[@garyarazorback1]

+Pete Braginton Thanks & I hope that you have a great trip, but I am not sure you will have enough water in the fall to make a Ponca float to be honest. I also know of several places that the river goes underground in the dry season. Just past Woolum the river goes dry for several miles this time of year. Now that is not to say that we couldn't get some rain & the river will come up. The river was a little low at Ponca when we put in. (about 20 inches of air space I believe) We did catch up to the crest & had some nice water about Woolum on down. The lower section was the best I had ever seen it in fact. We made 28 miles one day.

[@53slyder]

The video is totally awesome Gary. Have you given any thought to making this an annual event where others were able to join in? Put me down as ready to go

[@garyarazorback1]

Larry Taylor I thought about making it an annual event before I even made it to Kyle's the 1st day :-)

[@53slyder]

Gary Alderson I would love to participate . Ive made a few long trips myself .

[@laithstafford6211]

Hey great stuff, do you mind telling me what kind of camera you had?

[@garyarazorback1]

+Ciarán Stafford Thank you, I used my Gopro Hero 3 Black camera for the video & my Nikon D90 for the still shots.

[@chrisritchie573]

what is the most scenic portion of the river and what part is best for fishing? I'm looking to do a 3-4 day float but am not sure what will have the best of both.

[@garyarazorback1]

It all really scenic. The upper end & the lower end have the tall bluffs. The fishing is good all the way.

[@gibsondanekas1415]

Awesome video! I am planning a similar trip for the spring... What did you do for water? Filter or carry it?

[@garyarazorback1]

I carry a Sawyer mini filter. I have another video posted here on my ychannel of my filter setup.

[@garyarazorback1]

Chris Yorgey, I did this at the end of April & the 1st of May of this year 2015

[@gregjones6833]

Great Video! A friend and I are heading down in 2 weeks, planning on doing 4 days. Water is low, probably won't be able to put in much higher than Maumee. How did you manage batteries for your GoPro.

[@garyarazorback1]

Thank you. I have a couple of gopro batteries & a couple of external batteries that I use to keep the camera going.

[@nancifouquier5749]

I read through all the comment, unless i overlooked it, i did not see exactly what time of year this was. Please tell me.... thanks!

[@garyarazorback1]

I did this trip at the end of April beginning of May. Weather & river was perfect.

[@lovelightsmith5309]

Enjoyed it and am jealous of not only the trip but High Def. How do you get that on You Tube? I loose that when I compress the video. Can you share your secret? C

[@garyarazorback1]

LoveLightSmith Thanks & I'm glad I record in HD as well. I use a GoPro Hero 3 Blk Edition set to record at 24 fps in 1080p I use the GoPro Studio Software to then edit the clips. When I am converting the clips I had to change the default settings from Medium Quality to High. This was done in the advanced settings. Then again I had to change the default settings to high once I saved the edited clips. I also saved them in the best quality for editing again. So that the edited clip is saved at the highest quality available & looks pretty close to the original. I then use the MS Movie Maker program to drop in the clips & make what you see here. I then again had to make sure & save it in the highest settings I could find which was for Playback in HD. It's a lot of work & I am sure there is an easier way. I just use the FREE software that I have.

[@katzschernitz482]

i am wanting to go down the buffalo river this spring! what is the weather usually like early april? would a float that early in the season be ok?

[@coachbrandon01]

The weather is cold to cool in the afternoons. Possibly wet. Would a float be ok? I will tell You my experiences I go with a group of ten, to Ponca, to ride the spring thaw/rain down the mountain. We are experienced and safe, but the river can be too dangerous at that time, some years. We have cancelled because the white water was more than we could manage. It was more of a flood. We go because it is difficult and requires lots of skills and knowledge. It is as much a dangerous event as it is fun. The water is very cold and dangerous, in my opinion. I wouldn't rule out hypothermia. I was told that You only go to the upper 15 miles, in April, if You are experienced enough to handle the conditions. I would never send a first timer, on their own, to the top, in April. I wouldn't send an average boater up there, either. It is rough and wild. You will have to determine that, for yourself, actually. We do not know if we are floating until we arrive and figure it out. We expect and look forward to white water. As You go lower on the river, there are more recreational and popular floats. Being from Missouri, it is similar to our floats, but has its own unique features. All part of the Ozarks. If You go, you should try to get to Hemmed in Hollow. It is a hike, about a half mile from the river, up to the area. It is a must see, if You are in the area. You wont find it without help, though. another note.. my understanding is there is water on the upper portion, only early in the season, and that is why we go, in April.

[@garyarazorback1]

Flooded this week badly & will again this week. April is a tricky month. I got lucky on my trip. I few days before it was flooded & it flooded again a few days after we got off the river. But was perfect when we went. I was hoping to do again this year, but it looks like I will not.

[@kelseabeasley6286]

We go the third week of April. Sometimes it’s flooded, other times, not. We usually only float from Ponca to Kyles. Just don’t be dumb. If it’s flooded, don’t float.

[@poopandshowa]

What time of year is this river floatable with an inflatable raft (not to turbulent but also enough water)?

[@nataliecollins3120]

Early Spring/Very Early Summer. There is a place called Dirst Canoe Rental & Log Cabins. The owner is an honest and a lifelong resident of the area. You can call and talk to her. She will let you know as far as when it is safe to float with kids as well.

[@TheOutdoorSeeker]

Nice river, which state is this?

[@garyarazorback1]

Arkansas

[@garymulder144]

Is there much for whitewater other than a class 1 0r 2?

[@garyarazorback1]

Yes above Ponca the Buffalo offers some great whitewater

[@DucNguyen-wz8iz]

Did you setup camping along the way?

[@garyarazorback1]

Yes I camped every night. Sometimes in a campground along the river & some nights I just set up camp on a gravel bar next to the river.

[@Grandpa_RLP]

Could you tell me what you mean by 20" of air space when speaking about the river level?? I would like to do a float on the Buffalo but do not want to drag my boat. How did you keep battery power for this long of a trip?? Did y'all float and paddle all day every day or did you have time to fish or pull over to bank for lunch and stretch legs?? What time did you head out in the mornings and what time did y'all stop to make camp?? Did you start your trip right after a rain??

[@garyarazorback1]

I have a couple of external battery packs I use to keep all my gear charged. 20 inches of air space is measured at the Ponca low water bridge. It just a rough gage as to the water level. We had enough water that I only dragged twice at the very beginning. Check out the Buffalo Outdoor Centers website for more info on air space vs. water level. Great folks over there.

[@Grandpa_RLP]

Thanks for the response Gary. I figured out the 20" of space deal. I watched another video where a guy actually showed the bridge and the space under it. Saying was about 13" of space. I understood what you were saying then. :) I take it you are saying your canoe dragged bottom and not saying you had to drag your canoe. You looked to have it pretty loaded so a less loaded canoe or kayak probably doesn't drag?? I am sorry to pester you with these questions but one other one is how many miles could you casually make in a day with these water conditions??

[@garyarazorback1]

+Rickey P no problems. Yes when I say I dragged I meant MY CANOE DRAGGED BOTTOM :-) I did have my little canoe loaded up pretty good & I'm no small guy by any means. Over all the water was almost perfect. We caught up to the faster water about mid way thru the trip & had great water on the lower end. We made 28 miles one day & did several 23 mile days. I set out for about 18-20 miles a day. We finished a whole day ahead of schedule because of the extra miles.

[@Grandpa_RLP]

One lastquestion for now. :p Did you have your GoPro running all the time or just run it here and there?? Was it set to come on and off automatically if so??

[@garyarazorback1]

No I did not run it all the time. I had it mounted in front of me & would turn it on only as needed. I also have it where it shuts off after 3 mins of no use. So that I could save the battery life. I have also found it much much easier to edit short 2 or 3 min clips vs 20 or 30 min clips, Much less one clip of all day. That would be a nightmare for me. Over all I had about 4+ hrs of video of every major shoal, hole, bluff or the historical places. I had a hard time trimming it down to just this one hour long video :-)

[@brickogden]

What we got playing at minute 18:00 brother?

[@garyarazorback1]

Brick OGDEN that great tune is called "Vivid nights" by Wooden Ambulance. Make sure & check them out. They have some great stuff.

[@23erskin]

Can you build a fire to cook on the rock bars?

[@garyarazorback1]

Yes you can :-)

[@wil950]

That my old stomping ground i grew up around my judea area.

[@suzannedickson6004]

Hey bro....Me and a friend are going to do the entire Buff this year. I plan to make a video about it. Would love to talk with you.

[@garyarazorback1]

+Suzanne Dickson I will be glad to help ya in anyway I can

[@suzannedickson6004]

Thanks for getting back with me. I will be in touch.

[@650gringo]

Damn the music! I want to hear water splashing against the hull.

[@MrKenny1955]

what were your expenses?

[@garyarazorback1]

As far as cost to float the Buffalo River & camp on the gravel bars. That part is free. The thousands of dollars worth of equipment that I have bought over the years is not a small one. My canoe was about $1500+, camera equipment is will over $2k, a $400 tent & another $400 sleeping bag you can see it ads up fast. Great thing is I have bought this gear over many years and have used it many times & we continue to use it. As far as everything else. I had to build a trailer to haul our 3 boats, I payed a buddy to shuttle us & gas for the truck. I spent a hundred dollars or so on food & drinks. If you do plan to camp in the park campgrounds then you mat have to pay for a campsite.

[@rivertimeable]

it looks great, why dont you shut off the music so we can hear the sound of the river.....

[@schnauzerloversmom]

Gary, are you Ray’s son? I knew him.

[@garyarazorback1]

I am not. But I would bet that we were related.