I once wrote that Tyler Bend to Gilbert on the Buffalo River is my top recommendation for beginner paddlers. I think it still is. But Baker Ford to Tyler Bend comes in a close second in that category. This short section of the Buffalo is a perfect lazy river float for a beginner to get a taste of Ozark paddling. With no dangerous rapids, the steady current carries floaters downriver without too much paddling required. All while experiencing the majestic bluffs and crystal-clear waters that keep us all coming back.
The only thing that makes Tyler Bend to Gilbert a slightly better option for beginners is the ease of self-shuttling. The driving distance to the put-in is much shorter to Tyler Bend than Baker Ford. Aside from that, it’s about the same floating conditions and scenery. This is a float I have done years ago on a weekend. But I recently had a chance to float Baker Ford to Tyler Bend on a weekday. It was the first time I’d had a chance to float the Buffalo without the weekend crowds. And wow, what a difference! On a Monday in May, this float was so quiet and peaceful, I didn’t want it to end. Luckily, I planned ahead and floated on down to Gilbert. But I won’t be saying much about Tyler Bend to Gilbert in this article. You can read all about that section here.
Quick Glance
Distance: 4.3 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
The road to get to the put-in at Tyler Bend is about 10 miles north of Marshall, and around 11 miles south of St. Joe, off Hwy 65. Whether you are driving north from Marshall or south from St. Joe on Hwy 65, you can’t miss the sign. Follow Tyler Bend Rd. past the visitor center and through the campgrounds. At the intersection just before the public restrooms, turn left. This short road will lead to the put-in at Tyler Bend. To get to Baker Ford from Tyler Bend, go back to Hwy 65 and turn left. Drive north for 11 miles. When you reach the community of St. Joe, turn left on Hwy 374. Go one mile and stay to the left at the fork with Woolum Rd. Here, it becomes Baker Ford Rd. Continue on for 3 more miles until you reach the Baker Ford Camping area and river access. You can map to the put-in and take-out points below.
What to Expect
Floating from Baker Ford to Tyler Bend is only 4.3-miles. This short float is ideal for beginners. If they don’t like it or have problems, at least it’s over with pretty fast. And it can easily be extended out to 5.4 or 9.7 miles by continuing on to Grinders Ferry or Gilbert. In fact, if you’re considering floating Tyler Bend to Gilbert, which is only 5.6 miles, this would be a good add-on if you want a longer float. Baker Ford is not as crowded as Tyler Bend. So you’ll avoid a little bit of the crowd, at least until you reach Grinders Ferry. But if you want to completely avoid the crowds, plan this float on a weekday. There’s a good chance you’ll have the river all to yourself for a while. If so, it will be a quiet, peaceful float with a musical accompaniment of wild bird songs and rushing water. Be sure to check out the video below for highlights from this float in Part One. Or skip to Part Two where I float on down from Tyler Bend to Gilbert.
The flow range for this area of the river is 3.5 – 9.0 feet. On the day of my float, the level on the Hwy 65 gauge was 4.45 feet. At that level, floating solo, and making 2 quick stops, I did this float in just around 2 hours. I had a steady current for most of the float, with only a few places that required any paddling. There are several fast-moving shoals along this section. But nothing that I would call “rapids”, and certainly nothing above Class I. Once again, ideal for a beginning paddler.
Scenic Beauty
The Buffalo National River boasts an impressive array of geological wonders. The Baker Ford to Tyler Bend section is no exception. There’s a lot of that packed into this short float. Along the way, you’ll encounter stunning bluffs rising from the water. You’ll see unique rock formations with intricate shapes and vibrant colors, and an occasional cave. There is also no shortage of nice gravel bars to stop and hang out on. You’ll want to do that if you’re only floating this section. And for anyone overnight floating through this area, you’ll find some good spots for river camping. Also, I’ve seen a bald eagle twice here between Arnold Bend and Tyler Bend.
Plan Your Trip
As with all floats, it’s important to check river levels before you go. You can do that on American Whitewater or the RiverApp. The minimum level to float Baker Ford to Tyler Bend without dragging is 3.5 ft. Allow yourself at least two hours for this float if paddling straight through. You’ll need to stop a lot if you want to drag it out to 3-4 hours. If you want to extend the float on down to Gilbert, allow an extra 2-4 hours depending on stops. If you need a rental or a shuttle, there are several outfitters between Hwy 65 and Gilbert to choose from. I used Gilbert General Store for shuttling on this float and others, and have always been pleased with them.
Cell service here is mostly 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 are 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.
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 pack out your trash and leave no trace, preserving the pristine beauty of the Buffalo National River. From serene waters to towering bluffs, this stretch of the river offers something for everyone. So grab your paddles and life jackets, and embark on a journey through one of America’s most scenic and treasured waterways.
