3/30/2012 - Kings River

3/30/2012 - Kings River (Class I-II), Arkansas. Two day, 11mi floating trip.

Starting Out:

We left our house at approximately 6:30a.m. headed for the Kings River Outfitters. Our intention was to have the outfitter drive us to the put-in at Marble and float back down to the outfitter on Sunday (day 3) but we ended up having the outfitter pick us up at Marshall Ford on the second morning due to trouble with an overloaded canoe. We still saw some great country and had some fun despite the challenges. Our original plan was 35mi in 3 days.

Traveling:
From the West, Tulsa, OK area it's about 3 hours to the Kings River Outfitters. It's an easy drive if you take 412 East like you're going to Eureka Springs, AR.

From the North, Springfield, MO area, it's about 2 hours, mostly due South on either Hwy 65 or MO-13 towards Berryville, AR.

From the South, Fort Smith, AR area, it's a little over 2 hours, mostly North on highway 49 until you connect to 412 East like you're going to Eureka Springs, AR.

Floating:

Water Level	River Conditions
2'	Slow moving, dragging, not floatable.
2'-3'	Slow moving, dragging.
3'-4'	Slower moving, good floating everywhere.
4'-5'	Good floating everywhere.
4.81'	Good current, good floating everywhere.

The river was clear and flowing well when we put in at Marble. It was beautiful weather with just the right combination of sunshine, cloud cover, cool water, and warm air. It's been an unusually warm spring for the area so good floating started early this season.

The water level was 4.81' with recent rainfall.

This is a great class I+ river to float with some beautiful country but be careful of downed trees and the second portage over the low water bridge from Marble is really dangerous.

Public Access:
The public access spots are as follows:
Kings River - Total 82.5 Miles:

• AR74 Bridge - Mile 0.0
• Boatright Creek - Mile 7.6
• Marble Public Access - Mile 13.4 (Put-in 3/30/2012)
• Marshall Ford - Mile 24.7 (Take-out 3/31/2012)
• Rockhouse - Mile 40.4
• Trigger Gap Landing - Mile 48.1 (Intended Take-out 4/1/2012)
• McMullen Farm - Mile 52.8
• US 62 Bridge - Mile 61.0
• Grandview - Mile 66.3
• Stoney Point - Mile 73.6
• Romp Hole - Mile 78.5
• MO 86 Bridge - Mile 82.5

Gear:
Some of the more important gear we used:

• Canoe - Old Town Expedition (Discovery 169 re-badge for Bass Pro)
• We were way too weighted down with 3 adults and 3 days worth of gear
• Map

Photos: