Stretching 15 miles through the wild heart of Arkansas's Buffalo River, the Hailstone run from Dixon Ford to Boxley Bridge stands as a demanding adventure for paddlers ready to engage with a remote and dynamic whitewater corridor. Beginning just half a mile downstream of Dixon Ford, you'll carve your way through the Upper Buffalo Wilderness, where ancient bedrock shoals and swirling currents shape a river that moves with determination and character. The early miles set a steady rhythm with shallow Class II bedrock shoals and surfable waves, their steady pulse inviting steady strokes while hinting at the challenge that lies ahead.

As you progress, boulders begin staking their claim in the streambed, transforming the current into a playground of Class III to III+ rapids that push you to read their sudden shifts and responses. One of the standouts here is Mix Master, where ledge drops and constricting rock shelves force a focused line through a flowing maze of waves and holes. Each rapid demands measured control balanced with enough aggression to punch through powerful hydraulic features. The notorious Room of Doom lurks shortly after, a triplet of drops beneath a sharply undercut rock bluff that tests both your nerve and precision. Navigating its final surge requires riding the river right side, avoiding the tricky pourover on the left that could pin you against the undercut.

Further downstream, the river’s force channels through the Bloody Keyhole, the largest single drop on this run. Here, you’ll face a five-foot fall into a turbulent hole, a sudden catch that challenges you to bring speed and solid technique or risk being trapped in the swirling water. Seasoned paddlers often opt for the powerful eddy above this drop on river left, lining up for a confident boof that stitches a path through unyielding boulders. Beyond this, a series of boulder gardens continue to sculpt the river’s flow, requiring agility to thread between obstacles and keep momentum.

As the gorge widens at the End of the Gorge Boulder, the river relaxes briefly, leading into the tangled Willow Jungle. This lower stretch demands patience and attention, as fallen debris from recent floods block several channels and require slow, deliberate navigation. Keep alert to avoid getting broached, and pay close attention to power lines and farmland edges signaling the approach to civilization.

The take-out at Boxley Bridge provides a welcome end-point with ample space to unload, though the journey here is as much about pacing yourself through the length and remoteness of this run as technical skill. With a moderate average gradient of 33 feet per mile, the river pushes steadily but doesn’t overwhelm, making endurance and preparation key. Hydration, fueling, and pacing are essential—running out of energy at Keyhole can quickly turn the trip from exhilarating to exhausting. The isolation of this wilderness route means help isn’t close, so bring plenty of supplies and expect no easy shortcuts.

Flow on this run can be fickle, turning on and off with the rainfall patterns over the Boston Mountains. Typically, a 3-4 inch rain over 48 hours will put the river in shape, but rapid drop-offs in flow require paddlers to be decisive and ready for shifting conditions. The Boxley gauge provides flow readings, but keep in mind that the hour-long shuttle and the hours on water will drain some volume, so plan to put in with at least 700 cfs to avoid the bony, rocky low water. Higher flows up to 1500 cfs offer a smoother, faster trip with more powerful hydraulics, but also increase the risk and intensity of the rapids.

Accessing Dixon Ford demands cautious driving—high clearance and four-wheel drive are recommended to negotiate steep descents and large mud holes on the last miles of access road, especially after rains. Once on the water, be prepared to read a river that speaks in boulders and currents, calling for attentive paddling and a steady pulse. As the Buffalo River slices through the ancient wilderness, it offers a rare combination of raw natural beauty, challenging whitewater, and quiet solitude. This 15-mile run is a full day commitment, a test of skill and stamina that rewards careful planning and respect for the river’s power and character.