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The weather was predicted to be gorgeous this past weekend, and the reality did not disappoint. With a temp in the upper 60’s on Saturday and prediction for 70 degrees on Sunday, I knew there was only one thing to do. After a delicious pancake breakfast and a rousing visit to healthcare.gov with my husband (we procrastinated), I threw my camping gear and my dog, Kimmel, in the car and headed to an old favorite, Buffalo Point campground.

Buffalo Point is outside of Yellville, off highway 14 in Arkansas. The campground is operated by the National Park Service and located directly adjacent to America’s first National River, the Buffalo River. Nearly every campsite is within sight of the pristine river and beautiful, towering bluffs. Electric and basic tent camping sites are offered. Electric is $22 and tent is $16 per night. Ranger stations, restrooms, showers, amphitheaters, group pavilions, river access and hiking trails are available at Buffalo Point. Interpretive programs are offered during the summer.

Kimmel and I arrived at about 5:30pm, plenty of daylight to buy some firewood at Wild Bill’s, unload my stuff, set up the tent, do a little fishing and build a campfire. I learned not to waste $5 on firewood again. Green wood is not firewood, and apparently that’s what I bought. Food for this trip was simple because I just packed small sandwiches. I admit, I got a little jealous smelling the others campers cooked food. Using some wood that a previous camper had left, I was able to make a very nice fire.

Kimmel and I relaxed, gazed at the infinite stars and bundled up for bed. It was a chilly night, but we didn’t feel it while cozied up in the tent. Two sleeping bags and layers of clothing did the trick for me, and a cushy dog bed and a couple of blankets suited Kimmel just fine. The campground has lots of soft, grassy places for tents so sleep was good, for camping sleep. I woke up a few times which was no big deal because I needed to put Kimmel’s blanket back on him a few times anyhow.

When the sun illuminated my tent and the grackles and crows began their morning chatter and scolding, I grinned a beaming grin. A beautiful day all to myself in my favorite place in the world; I just couldn’t imagine anything better than that. After a quick drive up the hill to buy some coffee from Wild Bill, I returned to camp to pack up but not to leave, just relocate. We enjoyed the sand bar that was down the hill from our camp, but a couple of kayakers had pulled in and decided to stay a while, so as not to disturb them we drove down past the B loop campsites to the picnic area. A short walk from here is one of the most magnificent bluffs on the Buffalo River. We set out a blanket on a sandy patch on the large gravel bar located on that stretch of the river and had lunch, soaked up the sun, explored and did some fishing. After a few hours, it was time to start driving home, but not without making a few stops.

We hit Crooked Creek, one of Arkansas’ best smallmouth streams, in three different places. First, under the Hwy 14 bridge in Yellville. As a kid, we went there often to swim. The water was high so there wasn’t much of a bank to stand on so we moved on. The next stop was Kelley’s Slab access, also in Yellville. I fished all along the bank from the washed out low-water bridge, upstream to just past the new bridge. Again, the water was moving pretty quickly and I didn’t have any luck with my hula grub. Kimmel was getting impatient. Kelley’s access on Crooked Creek is right next to the Fred Berry Conservation Center, which I have been hoping to visit, but it was closed unfortunately. My final attempt to catch a smallmouth was at the Lower Pyatt Access, just off Hwy 62. I often stop here on my way home from visiting my parents because it’s shady and peaceful and there is a short trail with an observation deck next to the creek where I have spotted smallmouth, sunfish and suckers. I even encountered a black rat snake who had just eaten a big meal there once. Anyway, not only was the water high again (of course – same creek) but in this particular stretch of Crooked Creek, it was muddy. I completely struck out, but if you think I went home unhappy, think again.

Buffalo River scavenger hunt. Make sure to look for these items, some of which you can take with you and some you can’t, but don’t leave until you’ve seen them all.

  • A shooting star
  • A rock from the gravel bar shaped like your state, or a heart (because my heart feels happy when I’m there)
  • Bass thumb – the rough texture your thumb acquires from gripping the lower lip of bass to remove them from your hook.
  • 3 pieces of trash. You don’t have to bring these home, but throw them away please. You’re helpful!
  • Animal tracks
  • River glass
  • Spanish Moss, don’t take this home – take a picture of it draped on the cedar trees high on the bluffs.

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