Any Members in Arkansas?

It was good. Short, maybe 25 yard, walk from parking lot to the sand bar. We got there about noon on a weekday and there were more people than I expected but I guess with COVID and summer people have more time to spend time in nature. It was by no means crowded though. There is some good scenery and the water is plenty deep enough for swimming. I'm short but it was over my head in a couple of spots. There is an in-ground latrine at the parking area. Wife wants to go back and camp on the river.

 

So camping is allowed on the gravel bar?

 

Not 100% certain that it's allowed but some friends from ours camped on the gravel bar about a month ago and didn't mention anything about anyone giving them a hard time. I know I've seen people camping on other gravel bars along the Buffalo but they're usually ones you can access with a vehicle. I did not see anywhere that Shine Eye could be accessed with a vehicle.

Edit: Looks like gravel bars are good to go as long as you follow Leave No Trace guidelines. See 6th bullet under "Camping":
https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvi... person or party is,are on a durable surface.

 

From the NPS website:

Grinders Ferry, Shine Eye, and Gilbert gravel bars are open for camping and vault toilets will be open year round with limited or no servicing. Trash services are not provided. No fees charged.

 

Just be careful camping right on the river. That river can come up very quickly even if it’s not raining right where you are. My dad and a friend of his were camping along the buffalo a couple of weeks ago. He just had a cot about 8 feet from the river and when he woke up about 3 am the water was almost to the feet on the cot, and it wasn’t even raining on them. It was raining upriver. They packed up and moved real quick. Good rule of thumb to put a stick at the waters edge when you set up camp so you can tell if it’s rising or not.

 

I was floating the buffalo during a rainfall right before and during a flood stage back in '89 when I was way younger and dumber. We'd stop on gravel bars, taking our time and our boats kept trying to float away. Took us while to realize water was rising. After a couple hours we were in quite a mess, and I was honestly scared but we made it back to our take out. The guy from the rental place was there pacing, waiting and told us someone had drowned up stream that day and how lucky we were. He was about to call SAR to come locate us. I gained tons of respect for waterways after that. I've seen Richland Creek rise over the low water bridge and into the upper campground. Situational awareness for water, animals and lots of other un-friendlies while out is very wise advice. I spent many a night camped high side of rivers in the mountains in Mexico when water was too high to cross during monsoon season. Water don't play.

 

New Tacoma owner (2019 TRD Pro) from Central Arkansas. Native Arkansan!! Love our state and the forest roads.

 

Welcome!

 

Thanks. Looking into more off road camping etc maybe this fall and winter. I live in Central Arkansas but love to roam up around Pelsor. I went to college in Fayetteville and loved going to White Rock on the weekends. Need to make a White Rock trip soon.

 

Woo Pig!

 

Ha, I am in NWA, and when I meet the crew from LR we usually meet up in Sand Gap or somewhere close to there.

 

Welcome to the Woodz...what part of Cent AR, you shouldn't be to hard to spot with the Shnorkle...

 

I have not been to White Rock but from some of the pictures @MatthewMay1 has posted I'd like to get up there.

 

Snorkel people are the only people that get "the wave" from me.

 

I am just south of Little Rock. I work in Little Rock and live in Bryant.

 

Planning on taking a little trip tomorrow. Does anyone know if you can cross at woolum right now in a stock tacoma?

 

Not much rain up North, you should be good. Send pics or a SOS, I can be there in 2 Hrs...




Really, walk it first. If it’s knee high, stock is probably a no go.

 

My new copilot went to get his puppy shots today.



Given how we lost our breakfast, we apparently aren't too sure about driving around yet...

 

Cute pup, what's his name? Did you move your caps off the dash so he could see out the windshield

 

Alright will do. Yeah I will definitely walk it first thanks