Marble to Marshall Ford on the Kings River

We are so fortunate here in Arkansas to have so many beautiful rivers to float, fish, and hike on. If your goal is to float them all, it can take a while to get to some of them. Especially when you have some favorite floats that are hard to stray from! The Kings River is one that’s been on my list for a while. But due to distance (and competing rivers), it has eluded my paddle for years. So this year, I made the Kings River my top priority. But my buddies and I weren’t satisfied with just any section of the river. We wanted the best water and most scenic. So my 2022 float season started with a float from Marble to Marshall Ford on the Kings River

I recruited two of my best buddies, Eric and Neil to join me on this one. We were going to camp, but with rain in the forecast that Saturday night, we opted for a cabin at Eddy-Out Outfitter. The owner there, Vick, gave us all the info we needed for the float. So after a good breakfast we dropped our shuttle vehicle at the take out and got our float started. We would find out quickly that we chose the right section of the river to float. There may be other floats that have better rapids or better fishing. But some of the coolest river bluffs I’ve seen in the state are found from Marble to Marshall Ford on the Kings River. I’ll get into that a little further below.

Quick Glance

Distance: 11 miles
Difficulty: Easy/Beginner
Put-in (Marble): 36.143817, -93.594222
Kendall Bluff: 36.163037, -93.628120
Hazard (2nd Low-Water Bridge): 36.184675, -93.660097
Take-out (Marshall Ford): 36.189250, -93.652194
(Copy/Paste Coordinates into GPS or Google Maps search bar)

Directions

From the Hwy 412 intersection north of Huntsville, head east on Hwy 12 for 7.9 miles. Turn left on Madison 1919. After crossing the narrow bridge, the parking area is immediately on the left. Madison 1919 Rd is easy to miss, so I suggest using the Google map below to navigate there. From Kingston, go north on Hwy 21 for 7.2 miles to Hwy 412. Head west on Hwy 412 for 2.4 miles. Turn right on Madison 1919.

What to Expect

The float from Marble to Marshall Ford on the Kings River is 11 miles. It Took us around 5.5 hours, but we stopped a lot and took our time. We also had a strong headwind for several sections that slowed us down. At 5.9 ft on the Riverapp, we had a great water level to float that day. The ideal range for this section is 4.5 – 9 ft. Although, we did drag in a couple of shallow spots, so maybe 5.5 ft would be my recommended minimum. At this level there really weren’t any rapids. There were some quick shoals and swift-moving water, but nothing above Class I. In fact, they were barely even Class I. However, even without rapids, the flow was great all day, with little to no flat water. The only times we really had to paddle was when the wind was in our face.

There were a lot of downed trees on this float, perhaps from a recent storm. Surprisingly with all the trees, there were no bad strainers. There is one major hazard on the float from Marble to Marshall Ford on the Kings River. Just past the swinging bridge, at the 10 mile mark, you’ll come up on the second low-water bridge. DO NOT go over this bridge. At the bottom of it is a hydraulic that will suck you under. If you don’t know how to get out of one, you won’t. So portage around it to the left. Please watch the video below, or at least go straight to the 17:52 mark so you’ll recognize this spot. All in all, I consider this a beginner-level float. With the exception of having to portage around the low-water bridge, it’s a super easy float.

Bluffs, Bluffs, Bluffs

Like I said, some of the coolest river bluffs I’ve seen in the state are found from Marble to Marshall Ford on the Kings River. The only float I’ve done that can compete in that category is Ponca to Kyle’s Landing on the Buffalo. Yes, other sections of the Buffalo have cool bluffs too. But I’m not sure any other float has as many as this one. Or as many that span such long stretches of the river. Or as many that are so close to the water, or that you float under . And these bluffs are all kinds of crazy shapes, sizes and colors.

There are so many interesting bluffs, but the crown jewel of this float is undoubtedly Kendall Bluff. We’re talking about a majestic beast of a bluff that rises at least 100 above the water. It spans a good quarter mile along the river, bending around a long curve. Because it’s in a curve, the water has carved it’s way into the side of it, creating a half tunnel. The water flows swiftly under it as it passes by. You don’t have to paddle under it…but come on, why would you NOT? I was completely in awe of Kendall Bluff and it was easily my favorite part of the float. You can check it out in the video below at the 7:53 mark.

Plan Your Trip

The float from Marble to Marshall Ford on the Kings River is somewhat rain dependent. The best thing to do for any float is to check the river level on the RiverApp or at American Whitewater. If the section is in green on their site, you’re good to go. If you’re still not sure, call one of the outfitters to get real-time info on the river conditions. Again, around 5 – 9 feet is recommended for this float. This is an easy float to self-shuttle. Almost all of the roads you need are paved, and the access points are less than a 20 minute drive apart. Both access points are marked in the Google map above. But if you need a shuttle, give Vick at Eddy-Out Outfitters a call. Their property is literally right next to the put-in.

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 a few options for that. Eddy-Out has a campground and a few cabins. There are some other campgrounds a little further away, along with cabins and vacation rental properties in the area. Also, this is a river that you can overnight float and camp on the riverbank. Just be sure not to get too far off the river onto private property. For anyone that likes a good post-float dinner, there are several dining options in nearby Huntsville.

Allow yourself around 4-7 hours on the river, 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 there. Remember your PFD and trash bag, and please do your part to leave no trace. Be safe out there and enjoy the float. You’ll want to take a camera for this one!