Boating & Fishing

In 1885, the Kansas City, Springfield and Memphis Railroad published a sportsman’s guide publicizing Hardy Hardy and the Spring River and folks have been coming ever since. The Spring River is rated as one of Arkansas’ best float streams and the state’s most dependable natural stream. Beginning at Mammoth Spring with its 9.5 million gallon-per-hour flow, the Spring’s water levels remain consistent year-round, making it suitable for fishing, floating, kayaking and canoeing any time of the year. 

Spring River Map from the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Floating

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Float downstream on a raft or inner tube for a new way to experience the river at leisure. Let the cool water sweep you downstream while you enjoy views of the rocky bluffs, foliage and wildlife that characterizes the pristine Arkansas Ozarks.

Canoeing

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Canoe the Spring River and take part in one of the most popular activities in Hardy. There are sections of the river suitable for all skill levels from beginner canoeists to expert water enthusiasts. There are many convenient access points along the river that allow you to customize your trip based on your itinerary and skill level. You can spend a full day, which usually takes 8 hours to float 16 miles, or you can choose a shorter trip with less of a commitment.

Kayaking

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Kayak the Spring River and enjoy a personalized experience where you can take advantage of the Class II & III rapids, s-curves and falls. Trained water enthusiasts may prefer to travel the Spring River in a kayak.

Visit one of the Hardy area outfitters to book your river trip!

Fishing

Experience some of Arkansas’ finest fishing on the Spring River. Mammoth Spring feeds the Spring River nine million gallons of 58-degree water every hour, meaning that the fish in the Spring River are sourced from a natural spring rather than the bottom of a man-made lake. Floating the river between Mammoth Spring and Hardy is a popular route for those who plan to fish by canoe or kayak. The upper Spring River is better known for fly fishing, and the three-mile stretch from Mammoth Spring to Dam 3 is known for bank-fishing. Visit one of the Hardy area outfitters for all your fishing gear and get some tips on the best places to catch trout and walleye. 

Learn more about fishing the Spring at the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission

Click the button below to view and track Spring River water levels