Paddling near Jasper, AR

Jasper sits in Newton County in the Arkansas Ozarks, and the Buffalo National River — America's first designated national river — is the centerpiece of paddling here. The upper Buffalo runs through dramatic limestone bluffs reaching 300–400 feet, with a mix of mild whitewater and calm floats suited to canoes, kayaks, and rafts. Multiple outfitters based in and around Jasper run shuttles and rentals, making self-guided day floats and multi-day trips straightforward to organize.