Hello from Arkansas

[Okraman]

We are both 75 and have been canoeing for 50 years. First canoe was a 17’ Coleman, that I bought used from a friend. Second canoe was a 15’ Coleman that was a freebie when we bought our Coleman pop-up camper, in 1985. Our main canoe is a 16’ Nova Craft Prospector. We also have two Old Town Loon Anglers (12’6”) kayaks. Currently waiting on delivery of a We-no-nah Wilderness solo UL canoe (30 lbs). The Buffalo and Big Piney are our two favorite rivers to canoe. I’m getting the Wilderness so I can fish and explore some nearby flat water. The Coleman’s are barges, but great for family and friends who have not canoed much.

 

[Neophyte]

Welcome! The Buffalo looks like a fun place to paddle. I'm not certain I've heard of Big Piney, but I'm a long way from Arkansas.

You'll have to let us know how you like the Wilderness when it shows up.

 

[Penns Woods]

Welcome, looking forward to your posts.

 

[Okraman]

Neophyte, do a search for Big Piney. There are several sites with info. A lot of the Big Piney is in the Ozark National Forest. It’s also classified as a Wild and Scenic River.

 

[Boatman53]

Welcome to the campfire Okraman, throw another log on the fire before you sit down.
Jim

 

[Gamma1214]

Welcome. I'd heard of the Buffalo and have considered paddling it but I wasn't aware of Big Piney either. Sounds like a good destination and it's great to see that there are some people willing to provide shuttle services.

 

[Glenn MacGrady]

Okraman, welcome to site membership! Feel free to ask any questions and to post messages, photos and videos, and to start threads, in our many forums. Please read Welcome to CanoeTripping and Site Rules! Also, because canoeing is a geographic sport, please add your location to the Account Details page in your profile, which will cause it to show under your avatar as a clickable map link. Many of the site's technical features are explained in Features: Help and How-To Running Thread. We look forward to your participation in our canoe community.

By the way, the 70s is our age sweet spot here according to our most recent poll:

Poll: How old are you - 2026 version

This old thread popped up from 10 years ago and it made me wonder how the answers of 2026 compare to the answers of 2016. https://www.canoetripping.net/threads/poll-how-old-are-you.52670/

www.canoetripping.net

 

[Erica]

Welcome. I have paddled the lower Buffalo. Beautiful river.

 

[RatAssassin]

The Buffalo is some prime paddling.
Love it.

Welcome.

 

[Steve in Idaho]

Welcome, @Okraman . You live in some beautiful country. I haven't paddled there yet but it's on my to do list.