Summer in the Arkansas River Valley: How to Make the Most of the Water All Season

Summer on the Arkansas might just be our favorite time of the year.

By midsummer, the big snowmelt is behind us and the river settles into itself. The water runs clear, the current mellows, and the valley calms. It’s almost like the river itself is urging you to slow down and stay a little longer.

This is the season we love most at Shorehouse and CKS River Supply. Summer on the Arkansas truly has something for everyone. The river is accessible and friendly, opening up to people who haven’t been on it before and rewarding those who already love it.

All it asks is for you to show up. And we’re going to tell you how.

Swim in the Arkansas River

This is what we recommend to every guest who wanders into CKS this time of year (and it’s the one that surprises people the most).

We know the Arkansas isn’t a lake, but when the current slows down, swimming is genuinely one of the most fun things to do in Buena Vista. There are great access points right in town where you can wade in off a flat rock and float downstream for a while. No gear or experience necessary, just a good head on your shoulders and a desire to dive in.

Try a New Water Activity

There’s a reason we carry the gear selection we do at CKS: the river has something for everyone, and spring and summer is when that becomes most true.

Summer is a great time to try something new, especially if you’ve been curious but a little hesitant about getting in the water. Learn to kayak in a hardshell for the first time. Give SUPing a real shot. Grab an inflatable kayak and take in the views that can only be seen from beyond the banks. These are the moments that turn a trip into a memory, and they’re the kinds of skills you can carry home with you.

Our staff has seen it over and over: the person who wasn’t sure about kayaking ends up on the water every day. Start somewhere and the river will meet you there.

Go Fishing

The anglers already know this, but it’s worth saying anyway. Summer on the Arkansas is what they plan their whole season around.

Clear water and consistent conditions make for exceptional fishing, and the Arkansas Valley is home to some of the best trout fishing in the state. Whether you’re a lifelong fly fisherman or someone who hasn’t held a rod since childhood, this is your window. 

Stop into CKS and our staff will point you in the right direction.

Come Home to Shorehouse

After a day on the water, whether you swam, paddled, or simply waded in, there’s something special about returning to a place that instantly feels like rest.

At Shorehouse Hotel, we designed each suite to carry the same energy the river gives you: calm, unhurried, grounded. Drop your drybag and rinse off your sunscreen as the evening light shines through the windows. The river will be there tomorrow, running clear and ready.

That’s the thing about summer here. There’s always a reason to stay one more day.