Bull Shoals Tailwater - Cartney Access
UTM 15 555633E 4005350N (NAD83/WGS84)
(Thirty-six miles below Bull Shoals Dam on south side. Turn south on Hwy 341 off Hwy 201 and proceed for several miles. Turn right on gravel national forest service road at access sign and go about 3.5 miles. Caution: Cockran Creek ford. Not for low clearance vehicles or when stream is up.)
The river turns and heads east at the confluence of the Buffalo River. From there to below Red's Landing, both sides of the river are in Baxter County. Cartney Access is about four miles below the Buffalo River and just two miles above Shipps Ferry Access. Access at Cartney is provided through National Forest access off Hwy 341. The forest service maintained road fords Perry Creek and Cockran Creek before coming to the public access area on the river. If Perry Creek is flowing freely, fording Cockran creek can be a challenge in light trucks and SUVs. Only high clearance, larger 4-wheel drive vehicles can easily make the ford. Smaller low clearance vehicles should not attempt it--period.
Care should be taken when attempting to ford across the bedrock on Cockran Creek. The streambed is always covered in water and higher flows are capable of pushing a vehicle off the water fall ledge. The creek is subject to flooding after a heavy rain and cannot be crossed until the water recedes.
Although more isolated and difficult to get to, the access area is frequented by locals. It is the first access below the confluence of the Buffalo River. Be aware that the area is prone to major spring flooding. Wading is often limited in this area, although possible at times if generation is shut down for 24-36 hours or more and feeder streams are not flowing much. Good wade access then is upstream off the island. Don't get caught in rising water. Water can flow around the back side of the island during rising water! There is also a good fishing trough right off the boat launch at low water. An easier to drive to walk-in access is on the opposite side of the river (north side which is off Hwy 126 - see the index).