Buffalo River packing & safety checklist
Required by NPS
- Coast Guard–approved life jacket for every person (worn by kids 12 and under)
- Closeable mesh litter bag on each boat if carrying food or drinks
- Sealed cooler/container for food and drinks; floating koozies
- No glass within 100 ft of the river; no foam (Styrofoam) coolers
Wear
- Shoes that strap on (no flip-flops)
- Quick-dry or wool/synthetic layers — no cotton when it’s cool
- Sun hat and sunglasses with a strap
- Rain jacket
Pack
- Plenty of drinking water
- Snacks / lunch
- Sunscreen and bug/tick repellent
- Dry bag for phone, keys, wallet
- Small first-aid kit
- Extra paddle (one per group)
- Trash bag — pack out everything
- Toilet paper and a trowel or waste bag
- Dog: leash, water, life jacket
Before you leave
- Checked the level for your float today
- Checked the weather for the whole watershed
- Told someone your route and return time
- Saved park dispatch: 1-888-692-1162
- Know your take-out (name and what it looks like)
- Confirmed outfitter pickup time
Rules from NPS River Rules (nps.gov/buff). buffalofloatalert.com — live levels for every float.