Living Our Dream: Buffalo National River

Very pretty area. In the Ozark Mountains, the national river (first national river designated on the 100th anniversary of Yellowstone National Park - the first national park) signed by President Nixon in 1972) is a kayaker, canoeist, tubing dream come true. No white water which makes the river very family friendly. Right now the river is only 1 1/2 feet deep here in Gilbert, Arkansas but in the spring melt or after heavy rains, the river can get over 40 feet deep which makes it a very dangerous flowing river. The Buffalo is also the longest free-flowing river - no dams, many creeks flow into it, ground runoff from rains/snow melt, eventually joining the White River which then flows into the Mississippi River. The river originates in the Boston Mountains in western Arkansas, those mountains are part of the Ozarks, and flows 151 miles eastward until it's confluence to the White River.

This momma deer and her baby stay around our campground

2 years ago it got 45 feet above flood stage

First time to ever see Beauty Berries, different

This box turtle was very quick, did not like us near it

We were told to visit Collier's homestead and go on to the overlook

Collier family homesteaded here until 1937

Could see that the home was used, the wood floors were shiny from use

What's left of the smokehouse

Gilbert is located in the 'middle' section of the river and we have visited some of the launching areas just to get a flavor of what it would be like in the summer when thousands of people flock to the river to float. We also have visited the 'lower' section which is designated as nearing the eastern confluence. We were told by the ranger that we should try to visit Buffalo Point, some pretty scenic views could be found there. And so we did.

Trail behind homestead to Tyler Bend overlook

Dave almost stepped on this guy

We think this area is quite charming, more economically depressed than what we have encountered in our travels, but this is the Ozarks where people live off the land and are pretty self-sufficient. The closest town to do grocery shopping is 12 miles to the south, called Marshall, population 1335, but it has the stores, banks, auto things you need. To do more in-depth shopping you travel north to Harrison or south to Little Rock. We saw some charming cabins, some really hard-luck homes, and yet the people are just so friendly.

The drive to Buffalo Point Rut-roh

So many outfitters in the area

Hard to read - but we made it to Buffalo Point

We drove to Buffalo Point yesterday and we were able to walk along the river bank. There the water level is 3 feet, did not see any boaters, but knew there would be 2 canoes coming eventually, an outfitter picked up 2 couples at the parking lot where we walked down to see the river, and we are assuming he drove them westward probably to Dillards Ferry landing where they could paddle for about 3 miles. Looked like a fun thing to do if we ever would come back.

A group fo Norton/Triumph/BMW/Vincent motorcycles (English) and
all had antique plates on them, on their way to Mountain Home

2 bikes broken down on back of equipment truck

Buffalo Point Overlook, will go down to river next and walk along banks

Dave took some photos of our RV sitting at Gilbert RV Park, we are the lone camper. Have been since Sunday afternoon. The campground is open all year, the owner said that it could get down to 9 below (Gilbert holds the record for coldest place in Arkansas) and hunters are the folks that are here in the winter. Brrrr. No thank you. He said in the summer - he is absolutely slammed with campers.

Down at river level, Buffalo Point

When you are coming down-river, you see signage to tell you where you are

River is low!

I like the reflection in the water

More outfitters, this one is near our campground

The owner also told us that bear, wild pigs, elk, deer, coyotes, bobcats can be seen here in campground. He told Dave of the 84 year old woman across the road who chased a bear through the campground using her car, in her nightgown, screaming at it to -GIT!! Huh. Well, it is very very quiet here but we have to say - we have never been all by ourself in a campground NOR been wakened in the morning with the rooster cock-a-doodle-dooing!

These buildings in Gilbert are original - dates to 1900; the church was the
school and building on right was the Press (paper) building

One of the homes that are original, family still living in it

People came to the Gilbert area in the mid 1800s, and by 1900 the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad came through. The town prospered, mining zinc, copper and ore. Timber was cut and moved down river to Gilbert where the train moved it to the bigger cities to be processed. By 1920 a Christian colony from the eastern states came and built most of the homes that are still standing. At one time 4 stores, 2 banks, a cotton gin, grist mill, 3 doctors, school were flourishing. After the end of World War II, the town began to decline. Today only 33 people live here, but in the summer months, thousands flock to Gilbert to enjoy the Buffalo River.