See all 5 routes on Saline River
Arkansas | Central Arkansas
Saline RiverPeeler Bend to Saline Crossing Access
Extended lower Benton Saline route from Peeler Bend to Saline Crossing. AGFC documents the public Peeler-to-Lyle and Lyle-to-Saline segments, the direct Benton gauge ladder, and the spillway / low-bridge caution package, so this combined route ships with explicit lower-river hazard messaging.
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Route location
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Route overview
Trip details
Access rules, camping and seasonal notes.
Permits, camping and season
Access and shuttle
Launch at Peeler Bend and take out at Saline Crossing for an 8-mile lower Benton Saline day. The route extends the simple Peeler-to-Lyle split into the lower spillway / bridge hazard zone, so paddlers should plan the portage and final hazard sequence before leaving the put-in.
Access map
Put-in
Peeler BendPeeler Bend is a straightforward public access, but parking and launch conditions can change quickly with rain and runoff.
Take-out
Saline Crossing AccessLyle Park is the last clean developed public access before the lower spillway / low-dam and low-water-bridge hazard package.
Road shuttle
Stage the take-out at Saline Crossing, then drive back to Peeler Bend. Inspect Peeler, Lyle, and the Saline Crossing finish before launch so the group already knows the lower-hazard plan and any same-day parking issues.
Additional access notes
- Cherry Demuth Access is currently closed, so do not treat it as a dependable bailout or alternate shuttle point on this route.
- AGFC says the Benton Water Purification Plant spillway or low dam below Lyle Park should be portaged when the river is below 4 ft, and the downstream low-water bridge loses clearance as the river rises.
More route and safety guidance
- The downstream low-water bridge becomes a stronger clearance problem as water rises; AGFC says there is not enough air space at 6 ft and portage is mandatory.
- Because this route links the shorter mid-river and lower-river segments, fatigue and slower decision-making can turn a modest hazard into a real problem late in the day.
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Conditions
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Station details and river cameras
Station observations
USGS measurements
Measurement notes and coverage
These are observations at the station. Water depth and current can differ along your trip.
River camera · USGS
View at the gauge
Saline River at Benton, AR. This view may be outside your paddling reach. Images are periodic and do not establish safe conditions.
Photos and recent reports
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Paddler reports
Recent notes from paddlers
A few quick notes from people who were on this route recently.
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Sources and methodology
Review source dates and published guidance below. We have not inspected this trip in person.
Why this scoreData reliability: checking
This rating reflects whether the gauge measures this part of the river, whether published water-level guidance is available, and how recently the data was updated.
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Data behind the scoreWater levels, published guidance and update times
These readings and published water-level limits help explain today’s score.
| Gauge site | Saline River at Benton, AR |
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| Discharge | Checking |
| 24h trend | Checking |
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| Rain last 24h | Checking |
| Rain last 72h | Checking |
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| Rain timing | Checking |
| Preferred range | 3.60 ft to 5.00 ft |
| Low threshold | 3.50 ft |
| High threshold | 5.00 ft |
| Evidence strength behind the range | Official data source |
| Gauge observed | Checking |
| Paddle Today updated | Checking |
| Main source behind this score | Arkansas Game and Fish Saline River Water Trail gauge bands |
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| Weather source | Checking |
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NotesPublished evidence and verification notes
These notes cover the access details, route quirks, and source caveats most likely to matter once you get there.
- Official route geometryPeeler Bend to Lyle Park 3.8 miles plus Lyle Park to Saline Crossing 4.2 miles
AGFC publishes both public lower-Saline segments, supporting an 8.0-mile Peeler Bend to Saline Crossing route through the same reviewed corridor.
- Gauge check during route review · 2026-07-06USGS 07363000
This reading was saved when we checked the guide. It is not today’s water level. Check the current gauge and local conditions before paddling.
- Stage model3.5 / 3.6-5.0 / 5.0 ft
AGFC labels 3.5 ft and below as low, 3.6-4.0 ft as typical, 4.1-5.0 ft as optimum, and 5.1-5.5 ft as high experienced-only water. Paddle Today uses 3.6-5.0 ft as the broad audience band and treats water above 5.0 ft as outside the general recommendation.
- Endpoint coordinatesPeeler Bend 34.5852, -92.6467; Saline Crossing Access 34.54106, -92.60718
AGFC publishes both public route endpoints as named map-linked Saline River Water Trail accesses.
- Lower-route hazard rulesSpillway portage below 4 ft; low bridge mandatory at 6 ft
AGFC says the Benton Water Purification Plant spillway or low dam is hazardous and should be portaged when the river is below 4 ft, and that the downstream low-water bridge has insufficient clearance at 6 ft.
- Camping classificationnone
The reviewed AGFC route materials did not identify legal route camping at Peeler Bend, Lyle Park, or Saline Crossing, and nearby banks should be treated as private.
Verify it yourselfCheck the source links
Use these links to double-check the gauge, route details, and access notes before you head out.
Other routes nearby
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All 5Nearby routes within 75 miles
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