Buffalo Camping and Canoeing  located on the Buffalo National River in Gilbert, Arkansas. We  feature Canoes, Cabins, and Camping.

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Gilbert Arkansas and the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad


Gilbert was founded 1902 when a railroad construction camp for the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad (M&NA) was built on the north bank of the Buffalo River. The camp was named Gilbert in honor of Charles W. Gilbert, secretary-treasurer of Allegheny Supply Company, the construction company then building the railroad. Gilbert later became president of the M&NA, which ran from Seligman, MO  to Helena, AR . William Mays  moved his store and post office from Duff a few miles away to the Gilbert construction camp in 1906 and the town of Gilbert began to grow. Gilbert was eventually the home to a repair shop for the railroad. The railroad ceased operation in 1946 and the tracks were removed and sold as scrap. Today you may still see signs of the railroad if you know where to look. For instance you may take a short hike along the old railroad right of way starting at Gilbert which ends at Red Bluff and the old concrete supports where the Missouri & North Arkansas Railroad crossed the Buffalo River.

Click here for more pictures of early Gilbert


Gilbert Depot  with cross ties stacked in the foreground


Depot Gilbert, Arkansas


Ferry located at the present canoe takeout in Gilbert, Arkansas


Train wreck downstream from Gilbert. The concrete bridge supports are still in existance


Repair work after the wreck


Another scene of the repair work