Last updated: January 28, 2023
Thing to Do
Paddle Kyles Landing to Erbie
Terra Fondriest
Downstream from the hustle and bustle of Kyles Landing, one can find solitude among this comparatively quiet, 5.7-mile stretch of river snaking through the Ponca Wilderness. Paddlers will cruise through adrenaline-inducing shoals, tranquil pools, and haystack waves on this section with fascinating sandstone formations adorning the banks. Buzzard Bluff, a monolithic giant, towers in the distance as your first mile marker. Past Camp Orr the river briefly enters a true canyon with nearly vertical terrain on both sides. As the landscape opens back up into gentler bottomlands, watch for Goat Bluff with its gnarled juniper trees twisting toward the sky on river left. About a mile downstream from the Erbie Ford--a concrete slab where vehicles cross the river--is the takeout on river right. Shuttle time between Kyles Landing and Erbie is approximately 1 hour, mostly on gravel roads. High clearance and 4-wheel drive are recommended for the Kyles Landing Road.
Starting March 1, 2023, there will be ‘No Parking’ signs placed along the Kyles Landing Road, also known as County Road 56. Parking will no longer be permitted on the road to allow space for emergency vehicles to safely enter the park. In the past, parking along Kyles Landing Road has caused safety concerns for park staff and visitors. Please plan ahead and prepare to avoid parking frustrations at this popular river access point. The park encourages visitors to consider the following when planning a paddling trip based around Kyles Landing.
Starting March 1, 2023, there will be ‘No Parking’ signs placed along the Kyles Landing Road, also known as County Road 56. Parking will no longer be permitted on the road to allow space for emergency vehicles to safely enter the park. In the past, parking along Kyles Landing Road has caused safety concerns for park staff and visitors. Please plan ahead and prepare to avoid parking frustrations at this popular river access point. The park encourages visitors to consider the following when planning a paddling trip based around Kyles Landing.
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Plan your paddling trip for a weekday instead of a Saturday or Sunday.
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If a weekday paddling trip does not fit into your schedule try and get an early morning start on a weekend river trip or try starting later in the afternoon to avoid crowded access points.
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Carpool with others.
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Avoid towing a trailer into the park to allow for more parking space at busy river access points. If possible, utilize a roof rack or pickup bed to transport boats.
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Explore a different stretch of river.
Details
Duration
3-4 Hours
Depending on river conditions and paddling experience, this 5.7-mile trip takes the average paddler 3 to 4 hours
Activity
Paddling
Downstream from the hustle and bustle of Kyles Landing, one can find solitude among this comparatively quiet, 5.7-mile stretch of river snaking through the Ponca Wilderness. Paddlers will cruise through adrenaline-inducing shoals, tranquil pools, and haystack waves on this section with fascinating sandstone formations adorning the banks. Buzzard Bluff, a monolithic giant, towers in the distance as your first mile marker. Past Camp Orr the river briefly enters a true canyon with nearly vertical terrain on both sides. As the landscape opens back up into gentler bottomlands, watch for Goat Bluff with its gnarled juniper trees twisting toward the sky on river left. About a mile downstream from the Erbie Ford--a concrete slab where vehicles cross the river--is the takeout on river right. Shuttle time between Kyles Landing and Erbie is approximately 1 hour, mostly on gravel roads. High clearance and 4-wheel drive are recommended for the Kyles Landing Road.
Pets Allowed
Yes
- Leashed pets are permitted on gravel bars up to 100' from the water's edge.
- Pets may not be left unattended. Unfamiliar sights, sounds, and smells can disturb even the calmest, friendliest, and best-trained dog, causing them to behave unpredictably or bark excessively.
- Pet excrement must be collected by pet owners, and disposed of in trash receptacles.
Activity Fee
No
There is no fee to paddle the Buffalo River in your own boat. However, if you need a vehicle shuttle or a rental boat, authorized concessionaires offer these services for a fee. See https://www.nps.gov/buff/canoe-rentals.htm for more information.
Location
Kyles Landing
Kyles Landing has a primitive tent campground with 33 first come, first served sites, a flush restroom facility, a trailhead, and a boat launch. This boat launch is designated for non-motorized watercraft only: canoes, kayaks, rafts, and the like. The nearest take-out is at Erbie, approximately 5.7 miles downriver.
Reservations
No
Reservations are not required to paddle the Buffalo River in your own boat. However, if you need to rent a boat, authorized concessionaires encourage reservations. See https://www.nps.gov/buff/canoe-rentals.htm for more information.
Season
Year Round
Private boaters can paddle this section year-round if conditions allow. However, rental boaters must adhere to the season established by the authorized concessionaire from whom they rent. See https://www.nps.gov/buff/canoe-rentals.htm for more information.
Accessibility Information
This activity is accessible to those who can get in and out of a kayak or canoe and maneuver the kayak or canoe in swift water with sharp bends and occasional obstacles. This section of the Buffalo River is not recommended for beginners.