So I guess it’s time to start the discussion regarding Spring Ozark Rendezvous. I think some of us “regulars” talked about going back to the Buffalo River in Arkansas. Dates would be May 1 to May 5, of course some folks will come early and some will stay late. Camping would be at Ozark Campground as long as the government stays opens considering it is a federal campground. Count down to spring is on considering it will be zero this week in STL! Looking forward to seeing everyone and hopefully some new folks will join us, everyone is welcome! Stay warm and see ya soon. PamthePaddler
Deb and I are considering coming up for this. I’ve been wanting to for years. Do you know if there is an RV park nearby with hook ups? We could go a week self contained, but I’m curious if others with travel trailers will be camping on site or nearby.
I vote for the Buffalo River. I know I’ve missed some recent Rondezvous but I am planning to make this one.
If I remember correctly, there are no sites with electrical hookups, and no dump station for RVs at Ozark Campground.
If the Rendezvous is on the Buffalo; we’ll likely be there.
Attendance elsewhere would be “iffy” at best.
BOB
@tjalmy said:
Deb and I are considering coming up for this. I’ve been wanting to for years. Do you know if there is an RV park nearby with hook ups? We could go a week self contained, but I’m curious if others with travel trailers will be camping on site or nearby.
There are flush toilets and sinks at Ozark Campground but otherwise there is no nothing, including showers and electrical hookups. I think there is one or two electrical outlets at the pavilion which people have used to charge phones.
There is a campground with RV hookups and cabins relatively close to the campground just north of Jasper. I have never stayed there but friends of mine have done so. It is called Dogwood Springs Campground:
@tjalmy said:
Deb and I are considering coming up for this. I’ve been wanting to for years. Do you know if there is an RV park nearby with hook ups? We could go a week self contained, but I’m curious if others with travel trailers will be camping on site or nearby.
Harrison has a couple of full hook up RV parks. North of the river.
Thanks for the notice Pam. Calendar is marked.
Isn’t there a trailer park in Jasper right at the intersection with the road that runs up to Low Gap and Ponca? Didn’t Kayakmedic bring a trailer down to Ozark camp a couple years ago? Perhaps she would be better informed on nearby trailer camps - we’re pretty much a bunch of tent campers. I don’t know about others but I don’t always notice such things.
I only remember the one in Jasper because I once went there to use a phone or something. But it was close enough so a person could set a trailer there, hang around the campfire at Ozark campground, and return to Jasper to sleep. That would be right on the shuttle route for several of the stretches we do, assuming there is enough water in the river to run the Ponca-Erbie stretch.
Dogwood Springs is 4.5 miles from the Ozark Campground. That includes the longish stretch of gravel road (County Rd 129) leading into the campground off of Route 7. I believe that Kim and Jim had their camper at Ozark campground. Anita used to stay at Dogwood Springs with her small camper.
I spent one night at Ozark campground last spring (before moving to Twin Bridges) with a new travel trailer - siting is a challenge, and no hookups. May consider Dogwood Springs this year. I am definitely planning the “short” jaunt from Alaska to the Ozarks again this spring and looking forward to seeing all again.
Brad
We just parked alongside the loop at Ozark
And shared a site in essence as we didnt need the table
We have a quiet generator and were able to fill our freshwater tanks
We used greyvwater to put out the campfire . We kept our waste to ourselves but used the campsite loos except at three am in the pouring rain
We have a smallish trailer and the only iffy thing was going up that 14 percent gravel road in the rain. But we made it with no issues
We were there four days and had to use the genny once around dinner
A grocery store is close by
IMO Harrison is too too far but I do remember Dogwood . Its close
Thanks everyone! I’m looking into Dogwood, our trailer is 29’ and without seeing the sites at Ozark I’m concerned we may not fit. And I do own a tent, but if I want Deb to come, I’ll be hauling the trailer! LOL!
you would fit. But along the road. The sites are. back behind log fence mostly
some are oen and set way back on grass
You can get a real good view on Google Maps.
See that center field? Open however I haven’t seen anyone camp there. Not a designated site
I realize that the river level is very rain dependent, but what, if any, whitewater would be likely? We’ll leave the composite kayaks at home and bring the Tupperware, but they aren’t whitewater boats.
For the most part, at the most likely early May levels the upper Buffalo below Ponca is Class I. When I say Class I, I am not referring to moving flat water. There are real rapids, but for the most part they are unobstructed and straightforward.
But there are a couple of exceptions. There is a rapid called Gray Rock Shoals which is a short distance above Kyle’s Landing that is a couple hundred yards long and probably rates a Class II at common early May levels. And there may be a couple other rapids in the Class I-II range and some of these might become Class IIs at higher water levels.
Even at customary springtime water levels, root wads and other strainers can present potential pinning and entrapment hazards. For the most part, these will be apparent sufficiently early to avoid them if you have reasonable boat control.
Lots of people have run the upper Buffalo in non-whitewater polyethylene kayaks with success.
Hey folks, long time since I met up with you guys. I was waiting for someone to start the Spring 2019 thread. I am planning on meeting up with you guys. Buffalo sounds good Ozark to hwy 14 or on down to Buffalo City? Springtime on the Buffalo can be exciting if it rains. Hopefully the weather patterns last a while longer. They have been very wet up there and most any rain is running off now.
I am headed to the upper Mt Fork River in OK/AR this weekend then likely to the Eleven Point next weekend and maybe a quick weekend on the Buffalo mid to late March.
SYOTW,
Earl
Rendezvouz is a series of day trips base campong at Ozark
Hi folks. I enjoyed my 1 day with you last fall and intend to come this spring. Marking the calendar now
Looking forward to paddling on the Buffalo River and some spring weather. Only two more months!
My plans are to drop in Friday at Ozark Campground. Dave, Ken and I are planning on camping on the river for a couple of nights.
Hoping to get a day or two but lost my vacation days for sick days this week. Maybe Friday-Sun? Will be nice to see everyone!