I have seen a lot of requests lately asking what is the best float for beginners. I have seen this asked in various social media groups and been asked several times directly. There are a lot of great floats in our state that are great for beginners. And maybe one day I’ll devote a whole article to that list. But there’s one float that comes to mind that I recommend more than any other. The Tyler Bend to Gilbert float on the Buffalo River is, in my opinion, the best float for a first time or novice paddler.
Why is that? I’m glad you asked. It’s a combination of several reasons. First, it’s an easy float that is safe for beginners. But it also has beautiful scenery, and enough swift water to make it fun. Next, it’s location makes it the quickest on the Buffalo to reach from Central AR, but also not too far from Northwest or Northeast AR. (Sorry, South AR folks). Also, the put-in and take-out points are a short drive, making it easy to self-shuttle. But there are also multiple outfitters right there, ready to rent or shuttle for you. Another thing making it ideal for beginners is that you can actually get a phone signal for a majority of the float. So if there is an emergency, you can get a call out. And finally, this is a short float – perfect for someone that just wants to give paddling a try. More details on all this below.
Quick Glance
Distance: 5.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Points of Interest Coordinates:
Gilbert General Store and Canoe Rental: 35.988897, -92.715696
Baker Ford Access: 35.981080, -92.813694
Tyler Bend Access: 35.989258, -92.766767
Grinder’s Ferry Access: 35.984702, -92.744279
Shine Eye Access: 35.987979, -92.734507
Gilbert Access: 35.986922, -92.715126
(Copy/Paste Coordinates into GPS or Google Maps search bar)
Directions
This area is 10 miles north of Marshall, and around 5 miles south of St. Joe. If you’re self-shuttling, a vehicle will need to be dropped at the take-out, which is just down the road from the Gilbert General Store. From there, its a 15-minute drive to the put-in at Tyler Bend Campground. If renting or paying for a shuttle, there are several outfitters right on Hwy 65, as well as the Gilbert store. You can map to the put-in and take-out points below.
What to Expect
First off, it’s the Buffalo – so of course the scenery is top-notch. This float has some of those gorgeous bluffs that the Buffalo is famous for. Maybe not as many or as tall as the Upper Buffalo, but enough to see what it’s all about. There’s no shortage of photo ops on this float. You’ll find some fun class I-II rapids. But there’s not anything too crazy or technical for a beginner to be afraid of. There is also enough flat water on this float for a beginner to work on paddling.
The Tyler Bend to Gilbert float on the Buffalo is only 5.6 miles. That’s a pretty short float that can easily be done in just a few hours. So if a new paddler decides it’s just not for them, at least it won’t last too long. But there are plenty of cools spots to stop and make the float last longer if you want (and you probably will). There is a small grotto style cave you can paddle into and hang out in the shade. That’s really cool. Just watch out for people jumping off the rocks up above when paddling out of there. They may be splashing down just outside the cave! You may even want to take the plunge yourself.
This is one of the most easily accessible float trips on the entire Buffalo River. Because of that, it’s also one of the most popular. If you go on the weekend, expect to see a lot of paddlers. The put-in at Tyler Bend can get pretty crowded, so be prepared. Don’t let that deter you though. Once everyone gets on the water, people disperse pretty well. And it does make it one of the more social and festive sections of the river. Be sure to check out video below to see some of the sights along this float. Skip ahead to Part Two in the chapters if you only want to see Tyler Bend to Gilbert.
Plan Your Trip
Since this is a short float that’s quick and easy to get to, there’s no need to get there super early if you are self shuttling. But for anyone renting and/or shuttling with an outfitter, you’ll want to be there by 11 or 12 to ensure getting a boat. You might even want to reserve ahead of time. There are several outfitters between Hwy 65 and Gilbert to choose from. I don’t play favorites, so I won’t list them all here – just Google “Outfitters near Tyler Bend AR”.
As I mentioned, cell service here is pretty good, so it’s easy to coordinate with groups. If you want to spend the night or weekend, there are plenty of options for that. In addition to the Tyler Bend campground, there are two campgrounds and an RV park in Gilbert. There is also a ton of cabins and vacation rental properties in the area. But you better book those well ahead of time. They usually are booked at least a month out in the summer. For anyone that likes a good post-float dinner, there are plenty of dining options between Marshall and St. Joe.
Allow yourself 3-6 hours for the Tyler Bend to Gilbert float on the Buffalo, depending on how much you want to stop and hang out. Be sure to bring food and drinks for the river and remember – NO GLASS! If you are a new paddler, please read our Paddling page and be sure to check out the Paddling Tips and Gear List on that page. This section of the river gets a lot of visitors, so please do your part to leave no trace. Be prepared to pack out any trash you have. If you see trash in the water that’s not yours, pick it up anyway. This is how we take care of this gift we’re so lucky to have. Be safe and enjoy the float. We’ll see ya on the river!
