66 Boat Hole and Robertson Hole

    We’re going back to Woolum for more swimming, we were here just three days ago and were pretty impressed with Robertson Hole.  Today though we want to check out Boat Hole which is upstream from Woolum Ford at river mile 78.

    To get there from the main Woolum parking area we continue south towards Woolum Ford and turn right (west) on a narrow muddy road about 100 feet before reaching the river.  This short road is in the floodplain of the Buffalo (impassible during high water), at its end is a steep little bank up and over onto the gravel-bar.

    Parked on the gravel-bar we notice this is a small beach made up mostly of ‘softball’ size river rock.  ‘Small’ is maybe an understatement, it’s tight just getting the truck turned around, but at least we’re parked right at the hole.  Or maybe not, walking the 20 foot or so on uncomfortable river rock to the water we can’t see anything but ‘shallow whitewater’ for 100 feet upstream, a shoal.

    The bottom end of Boat Hole is at least 100 feet farther upriver.  Later in the fall or winter when the Buffalo is at its lowest, this should be a good place to cross the river for visits to The Narrows and Skull Bluff.  After considering how far we would have to walk across this river rock to access the swimmable area upstream (if there actually is a hole) we decide not to set-up camp here, and instead drive the short distance back to Robertson Hole.

    Boat Hole doesn’t score very high in the ratings, The best thing to be said for the road off Woolum Road to the gravel-bar is that it’s short.  It is also muddy and narrow, I acquired some ‘Arkansas pin-stripping’ from the brush and low tree limbs, I’ll give it a 1 for accessibility.

    Sure, the road is bad, but that's only part of the low score, the 100-foot trek across river rock from parking spot to the hole itself is even worse.  I can't even give amenities a one, zero due to the river rock beach and an un-known hole which may not even be there.

    Although the Woolum area is a popular Buffalo River destination, this little spot on the river is tucked away, off by itself.  But even so, with little room to even turn around on the tiny gravel-bar the capacity of this place is maybe two vehicles.  Being well hidden Boat Hole's privacy may be the only reason to come, popularity at least gets a 3, boosting the total score for Boat Hole: 4.

day-camp at Robertson Hole

    We drive back to Robertson Hole where we have a great time swimming and relaxing in the shady day-camp we found Friday.  Nothing has really changed since then and our rating today is the same as it was Friday, Robertson Hole: 12.  Relaxing here at this beautiful spot on the Buffalo sparks a discussion comparing the different swimming holes we have visited this summer.

    Kat likes it right here at Robertson Hole, this is her favorite.  I can’t quite decide which is mine, but I’m leaning toward Mt. Hersey Hole or Sand Hole.  One thing I do know is next summer we’ll be back to our favorites from the ‘summer of 2020’ and hopefully some new finds even closer to that elusive ‘perfect swimming hole.’  The only regret we have this summer is the lack of photos taken at swimming holes, we’ll try to do better next year.