Top 7 Waters for Floating in Arkansas

Arkansas is a paddler’s paradise. Whether you're seeking calm waters for a leisurely paddle or a thrilling ride down whitewater rapids, The Natural State delivers. These seven rivers offer some of the best floating experiences in Arkansas, each with its own unique blend of scenery, adventure and serenity.

1. Buffalo National River

Meandering through the heart of this nation and the rugged Ozark Mountains of Arkansas is the Buffalo National River, carving a winding, untamed path through 135 miles of breathtaking wilderness that earned it the distinction of being named America’s first national river in 1972. 
For paddlers, it offers an ever-changing experience between chasing the adrenaline of whitewater rapids and the serenity of calm waters within a backdrop of towering limestone bluffs and lush forests full of wildlife, including a substantial elk herd. 

The river's upper section provides swift waters suitable for adventurous floaters, especially during high water. One of the most captivating features in this section is Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls, a 209-foot waterfall that tumbles dramatically into a secluded hollow accessible via a 0.65-mile hike from the river. This natural wonder, the tallest between the Rockies and the Appalachians, offers a picturesque side excursion.

As the Buffalo winds eastward, it slowly sheds its intensity. The middle and lower sections shift into relaxed paddling, ideal for families, beginners and those looking to slow down and soak in the scenery.

Floaters interested in multi-day trips find primitive camping on the Buffalo National River’s numerous gravel bars perfect for resting under the stars, immersed in the tranquility of nature. Additionally, several developed campgrounds managed by the National Park Service are available along the river.

2. Kings River

The Kings River begins in the Boston Mountains of the Ozark National Forest, charting a 90-mile course northward for an immersive journey through pristine waters flanked by massive limestone bluffs, tree-lined banks and sloping gravel bars. Free-flowing and untamed, this river invites paddlers to explore its mix of deep pools and playful riffles, making it a go-to for both relaxed floats and light adventure.

Day trips offer an ever-changing blend of scenery and pace. The water runs cool and clear, reflecting the sky in still stretches before tumbling over rocky shoals. Smallmouth bass thrive in these waters, growing big and strong, making the river a prime destination for anglers who love to float and fish. 

Multi-day trips far from any manmade development let adventurers tune in to the river’s rhythm, where the only sounds are the murmur of the current and the call of distant birds. Gravel bars double as natural campsites, perfect for pitching a tent under a sky thick with stars. 

Even in winter, the Kings River is a destination, drawing bald eagles that roost along its wooded banks from November through March, a sight best enjoyed from the quiet of a drifting canoe. Whether you’re fishing for a trophy catch or simply letting the river carry you, the Kings River delivers an experience that’s both peaceful and wild.

3. Mulberry River

For those seeking an adrenaline rush, the Mulberry River delivers with its exhilarating Class I to II rapids. Coursing through the heart of the Ozark National Forest for 56 miles, this free-flowing river is especially lively during spring. Paddlers navigating its swift currents will be enveloped by narrow canyons, tree-lined bluffs and dense woods. The river’s clear, cool waters cascade over ledges and wind around sharp bends for an engaging and picturesque journey.

Access to the Mulberry is convenient with multiple entry points despite its remote and wild character. Wildlife abounds along the river, including one of the state’s largest concentrations of black bears.

Designated a state scenic river, the Mulberry River delivers an authentic Arkansas experience, blending natural beauty with outdoor excitement.

4. Spring River

Some rivers are at the mercy of the seasons, swelling in the spring and dwindling in flow in the summer. Not the Spring River in north central Arkansas with Mammoth Spring as its beating heart. 
Emerging from deep underground, Mammoth Spring forms a 10-acre lake within its namesake state park before surging into the Spring River. Fueled by more than nine million gallons of 58-degree water hourly, the Spring River is ripe for year-round floating and fishing.

For paddlers, some stretches are all about letting the consistent current do the work, while others feature choppy rapids that keep things exciting. The Spring River is known as the ultimate summer escape when the heat cranks up. By peak season, the river is buzzing with rafts full of floaters laughing, splashing, and bouncing through lively whitewater drops before drifting into long, lazy pools. It’s the kind of summer float that draws a lively crowd and the backdrop— tree-lined banks, lush rolling hills and a few rocky bluffs — adds to the experience.

Trout anglers know the Spring River well. The first 10 miles below Mammoth Spring teem with rainbows, thriving in cold, oxygen-rich water. Walleye and smallmouth bass lurk in the river’s deeper runs.  

5. Cossatot River

The Cossatot River doesn’t do easy. It crashes and tumbles through the Ouachita Mountains, carving a path of churning whitewater and steep rock ledges that challenge even the most experienced paddlers. When the water is up, the river’s most infamous stretch—Cossatot Falls—delivers a thrilling gauntlet of back-to-back rapids that can hit Class IV. Here, the river doesn’t just ask for skill; it demands it.

But the 26-mile Cossatot isn’t just about adrenaline. Between its wild runs, the river settles into deep, clear pools, reflecting the rugged cliffs and hardwood forests that surround it. Smallmouth bass thrive in these waters, making it a favorite for anglers looking to cast in remote, scenic settings. Cossatot River State Park-Natural Area offers primitive campsites for those who want to extend the adventure, letting the sound of rushing water fade into the background as the stars come out.

Few rivers in Arkansas feel as untamed as the Cossatot. It’s not for the casual floater; after all, its name does translate to “skull crusher.” But for those who crave the wild, it’s a river that rewards skill, patience, and a taste for adventure.

6. Caddo River

The Caddo River winds its way about 45 miles through the Ouachita Mountains, its waters shifting effortlessly between glassy pools and gentle rapids before being impounded to form DeGray Lake, home to Arkansas' only resort state park. Below DeGray, the Caddo continues some four miles before joining the lower Ouachita River.

Above the lake, the Caddo is a typical pool-and-drop river, gentle enough for novice paddlers yet with enough Class I and II rapids along the way to keep it exciting. Rafting is popular when spring waters rise. The river hums with canoeists, kayakers and tubers throughout the rest of the floating season. A popular section is Caddo Gap, a narrow, boulder-strewn gorge. The scenery shifts with every mile, from wooded hillsides to rocky outcrops, with homes occasionally dotting the banks as the river moves through more developed areas.

Unlike Arkansas’ wilder rivers, the Caddo is an easygoing float, perfect for a summer afternoon of drifting, splashing, and soaking in the scenery. Gravel bars offer built-in rest stops—ideal for a picnic, a quick nap under the shade of a sycamore tree or a primitive campsite for an overnight trip. The Caddo’s fishing holes are full of smallmouth and spotted bass.

7. Ouachita River

The Ouachita River flows for approximately 177 miles in Arkansas, rolling southward through deep valleys, pine forests, and wide-open stretches of sky before crossing into Louisiana for the rest of its 600-mile journey. It begins in the Ouachita Mountains near Mena and winds through the Ouachita National Forest before being impounded to form Lake Ouachita, Lake Hamilton, and Lake Catherine near Hot Springs.

Its waters move with a steady ease, offering a float that is equal parts relaxation and adventure. Its upper and lower sections each provide unique floating experiences.

In the upper stretch, the river remains wild and scenic, its clear waters tumbling over sparkling shoals before settling into long, tranquil pools. Paddlers weave past towering rock formations, under overhanging hardwoods, and through the deep green corridors of the national forest. Wildlife is everywhere—deer slipping between the trees, wild turkeys rustling in the brush, herons gliding just above the surface.

Below Lake Ouachita, the river’s personality shifts. The flow is briefly interrupted by two dams near Hot Springs, creating the sparkling waters of Lake Hamilton and Lake Catherine before the river meanders southward. Past Lake Catherine, the Ouachita widens and picks up just enough pace to keep things interesting. Gentle rapids add a playful energy, making this a great stretch for families and casual paddlers looking for an easygoing adventure.

Getting There

Local outfitters along all of these rivers make it easy to plan a trip with rental gear and shuttle services. And for those who aren’t ready to leave the water behind, each area's cabins, camping spots, and full-service resorts offer the perfect place to turn a day trip into a weekend escape.