Shuttle Service & Boat Rental Rates
Eclipse Rentals: Please note that a 3-day minimum rental is required for a trip itinerary that includes the April 8th solar eclipse. Launches will occur on or before Sunday, April 7th, and takeouts on or after Tuesday, April 9th. No launches or takeouts are available on Monday, April 8th. Call 870-861-5514 for rates and to book your trip!
Attention Private Boaters: Due to state and local authorities predicting a substantial increase in road and river access congestion on the day of the eclipse, we are currently unable to accept private boater shuttles for Monday, April 8th.
Buffalo River Canoe & Kayak Rentals
Canoe Rental
1-Day Canoe Rental (Plus Tax):
| Number of Canoes | Rates |
|---|---|
| 1 | $80 |
| 2 | $160 |
| 3 | $240 |
| 4 | $320 |
| 5 | $400 |
| 6 | $480 |
| 7 | $560 |
| 8 | $640 |
| 9 | $720 |
| 10 | $800 |
Saturday and Holiday Canoe Rate is $85.00
3 Days or More of Rental per Canoe
$74.00 + Tax per Day
Kayak Rental
1-Day Kayak Rental (Plus Tax):
| Number of Kayaks | Rates |
|---|---|
| 1 | $70 |
| 2 | $140 |
| 3 | $210 |
| 4 | $280 |
| 5 | $350 |
| 6 | $420 |
| 7 | $490 |
| 8 | $560 |
| 9 | $630 |
| 10 | $700 |
Saturday and Holiday Kayak Rate is $75.00
3 Days or More of Rental per Kayak
$64.00 + Tax per Day
Tandem Kayak Rental
1-Day Tandem Kayak Rental (Plus Tax):
| Number Of Tandem Kayaks | Rates |
|---|---|
| 1 | $85 |
| 2 | $170 |
| 3 | $255 |
| 4 | $340 |
| 5 | $425 |
| 6 | $510 |
| 7 | $595 |
| 8 | 680 |
| 9 | $765 |
| 10 | $850 |
Saturday and Holiday Kayak Rate is $90.00
3 Days or More of Rental per Tandem Kayak
$77.00 + Tax per Day
Raft Rental
1-Day Raft Rental (Plus Tax):
| 1-Day per person Raft Rental (Plus Tax): | Rates |
|---|---|
| 1 | $40 |
| 2 | $80 |
| 3 | $120 |
| 4 | $160 |
| 5 | $200 |
| 6 | $240 |
| 7 | $280 |
| 8 | $320 |
**We advise you to make reservations for kayaks in advance, due to having a limited inventory.**
Wet Suit Rentals
Wet suits are available for $20 + tax per day for the suit; $10 + tax per day for booties and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. At the time you pick up your suit, as your deposit we hold the credit card used to rent the suit/booties or a valid driver’s license while you are on the river. If you are a day-trip guest, please return the rented item(s) to the store before we close and receive your credit card or driver’s license in exchange. Overnight rentals should be returned to the store on the day of takeout. Our store closes at 6:00 PM during March – October.
Raft Rentals
$40.00 + Tax per Person Day
Please note that a raft requires at least three adults or two adults and an older child to successfully paddle it. Rafts are also only available while Buffalo River water-levels is high enough to allow rafts (Levels will be evaluated the morning of scheduled float).
What’s Included
Boat rental rate includes boat(s), life vests, paddles, and mesh trash bag. (Please note that vehicle shuttle service is not included in boat rental rates; see below for shuttle rates.)
**We advise you to make reservations for rafts in advance, due to having a limited inventory.**
Boating Shuttle Rates
Car Shuttle Rates with Boat Rental
| Destination | Rates |
|---|---|
| Steel Creek | $24 |
| Kyles | $46 |
| Pruitt (or Kyles to Pruitt) | $63 |
| Ozark | $71 |
| Erbie | $105 |
| Hasty | $63 |
| Hwy 123 (Carver) | $75 |
| Mt. Hersey | $98 |
| Woolum | $112 |
| Hwy 65 Bridge | $112 |
| Gilbert | $112 |
| Tyler Bend | $112 |
| Buffalo Point | $265 |
| Buffalo City/Norfork | $334 |
| Destination | Rates |
|---|---|
| Hasty | $46 |
| Hwy 123(Carver) | $62 |
| Mt. Hersey | $75 |
| Woolum | $89 |
| Tyler Bend | $114 |
| Gilbert | $114 |
| HWY 65 Bridge | $114 |
| Buffalo Point | 265 |
| Buffalo City/Norfork | $334 |
Private Boat / Hiking Car Shuttle Rates
| Departure & Destination | Rates |
|---|---|
| Fallsville to Ponca | $155 |
| Compton/Centerpoint | $52 |
| Destination | Rates |
|---|---|
| Ponca | $51 |
| Steel Creek | $58 |
| Kyles | $89 |
| Pruitt | $100 |
| Destination | Rates |
|---|---|
| Steel Creek | $32 |
| Kyles | $81 |
| Pruitt (or Kyles to Pruitt) | $97 |
| Ozark | $100 |
| Cedar Grove | $179 |
| Erbie | $179 |
| Hasty | $97 |
| Hwy 123 (Carver) | $102 |
| Mt. Hersey | $149 |
| Woolum | $168 |
| Hwy 65 Bridge | $190 |
| Gilbert/Tyler Bend | $190 |
| Buffalo Point | $299 |
| Buffalo City/Norfork | $356 |
| Whitaker Point | $229 |
| Destination | Rates |
|---|---|
| Hasty | $81 |
| HWY 123(Carver) | $91 |
| Mt. Hersey | $137 |
| Woolum | $157 |
| Tyler Bend/Gilbert | $179 |
| Hwy 65 Bridge | $179 |
| Buffalo Point | $295 |
| Buffalo City/Norfork | $356 |
Changes in Shuttle Destination or Date
Paddlers sometimes wish to change a shuttle destination or the date of the shuttle after they are already on the river. We will do everything possible to respond to such a request; however, requests made after 2:00 PM may not be able to be fulfilled until the following day. Also, changes in destination may result in an additional charge, especially if the vehicle has already been moved to the original destination and/or extra staff expense is incurred in handling the request.
Vehicle Problems
Vehicles breakdowns that create inordinate staff time to handle or other BOC out-of-pocket-expenses may result in an additional charge. These problems can include flat tire(s), engine issues, inadequate gasoline level, etc.
NOTE: Please let the office staff know if your vehicle is electric so that we can accommodate you accordingly.
Post-Trip Comments
After visiting the Buffalo National River and being served by Buffalo Outdoor Center, we encourage you to share your experience with the National Park Service via a special comment form. It’s a great way to:
- Make suggestions for park improvements
- Share things, in particular, you enjoyed about the park
- Share your thoughts about the canoe rental/shuttle services you received from BOC
Simply click on this link to open a PDF of the form: Buffalo National River Comment Form. Then, fax, email or mail it back to the National Park Service / Buffalo National River Headquarters (contact information is provided on the form). Each form is personally reviewed by the park superintendent, so it’s a great way to directly share your thoughts with park leadership!
Buffalo Outdoor Center is authorized within Buffalo National River to provide canoe rentals and transportation services.
Buy Used Canoes & Kayaks
The majority of our used canoe/kayak inventory becomes available in June when canoe season is typically drawing to a close (late June / early July).
As a general rule, the price of used canoes starts somewhere around $600+tax, which gets you a boat that, if taken care of (meaning, kept in dry storage and not drug around along with 1,000 lbs of gear across a rocky shoal), can last for many years to come. Naturally, the more you pay for a boat, the less wear and tear it has seen and the longer it should last. In comparison, new canoes (which we also have available) are around $2,000+tax.
A used canoe is something you have to select in person, as each one has its unique personality. So, give us a call to make sure we have used inventory and, if so, then plan a trip to Ponca to size them up for yourself. While here, our river staff will be happy to help you with selecting a boat that’s right for your type of adventures and budget.
We also have a nice inventory of NEW & USED Jackson kayaks for sale (starting at $275), including the new Cuda fishing boat!