Buffalo Outdoor Center

Buffalo Outdoor Center works the upper Buffalo National River from Ponca, at the head of the stretch that draws floaters to the tall bluffs of the river’s wilderness reaches. The season follows the water: the company runs 8am to 6pm from March through October, when the upper river carries enough flow to float, and drops to 8am to 5pm from November through February. Fishing here means smallmouth, Ozark bass and longear sunfish worked along the gravel bars and rock ledges. The same trip can be built out with hiking, mountain biking, zipline tours and wildlife viewing, and an on-site store and deli covers whatever a party forgot.