The Buffalo River isn’t the biggest or mightiest of Arkansas’s many waterways, but it is arguably the most significant. The first National River in the United States (so designated in 1972), it remains one of the few rivers in the country to be undammed, flowing freely through the Ozarks for 150 miles exactly as it has for millennia. Surrounded by the staggering beauty of soaring cliffs and forest, it’s a slice of paradise enjoyed by 800,000 visitors per year. Locals will float the upper river via kayak or canoe during high-water periods of the year, typically March through June, although that season can extend into July some years depending on weather and rainfall. Smallmouth bass fishing is king on the upper Buffalo River wilderness, with more spotted bass and largemouth in the mix in the lower stretches. Hiking and camping here are also great, providing tons of selfie-worthy scenery.