The Saline River stands as Arkansas's longest river flowing entirely within state borders, stretching 202 miles from the eastern foothills of the Ouachita Mountains to its confluence with the Ouachita River at Felsenthal National Wildlife Refuge. Beginning with four major headwater tributaries—the South Fork, Middle Fork, Alum Fork, and North Fork—that merge northwest of Benton in Saline County, the river traverses through Grant, Cleveland, Dallas, Drew, Bradley, and Ashley Counties before reaching its terminus. As the last major undammed stream in the entire Ouachita Mountain drainage, the Saline retains a wilderness character along much of its length, with dense forests lining its banks and creating an illusion of remoteness despite its accessibility. The river supports 75 of Arkansas's 241 fish species, including five rare species considered of greatest conservation need and the endemic Ouachita madtom that lives nowhere else. Over half of Arkansas's 85 mussel species inhabit these waters, including the Arkansas fatmucket found only in the upper Saline watershed and three other Ouachita Mountain streams. This pristine waterway offers exceptional fishing, scenery, and wilderness floating opportunities while remaining one of the most underrated and overlooked rivers in the Natural State.