Arkansas

Buena Vista Whitewater Park (In-Town features at the Buena Vista Whitewater Park)

The Buena Vista Whitewater Park is renowned for its five primary whitewater features, designed for kayaking, surfing, paddleboarding, and rafting. Each structure offers unique characteristics that cater to a range of river users and flow conditions. All users need to come prepared for swift and cold water and possess the baseline skill set required for class III whitewater. Please watch this video to learn more.

Access- BV Boatramp, Day Use (Staircase), South Main Boat Ramp

• Uptown Wave – A fun and challenging kayaking hole best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers. Located just above the Whipple Bridge.
• Staircase Wave – A friendly, approachable green wave and soft hole that works well for most users when flows are between 400–1,500 cfs. It’s great for surfing, SUP, and intermediate kayakers. Located below the BV Dog Park
• Pocket Wave – Just downstream of the Staircase Wave, this flat wave becomes ideal for surfing above 1,500 cfs. It’s a favorite during high water and is slated for potential improvements in 2025.
• Downtown Wave/Hole – Positioned at the heart of South Main Town Square, this feature is excellent for kayaking at flows between 300–1,000 cfs. It’s a popular spot due to its accessibility and consistency. Located in front of the Surf Hotel.
• LoDo Wave – A dynamic and powerful feature that forms a strong hole. Best suited for intermediate to advanced kayakers and river surfers, with ideal flows between 450–900 cfs. Located just below the Surf Hotel and just above Beaver Falls Rapid (class III)

What is going on the Arkansas River BELOW the Buena Vista Whitewater Park

Be aware of the challenging whitewater just below the Whitewater Park. The river character in and a

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