Follow the course of the churning rapids and peaceful bends in America’s first designated national river as it carves through towering bluffs and rugged wilderness.
Buffalo National River is a protected stretch of one of Arkansas’ most pristine waterways. Established a national river in 1972, the mighty Buffalo River tumbles un-dammed and undeveloped for 135 miles (217.3 kilometers) through mountains, waterfalls, plateaus and ancient pebble beaches. Canoe through mountain streams, hike alongside the river’s dramatic canyons, grab your fishing rod and work on your casting technique and unwind at a riverside resort or camping site.
Beginning as a gentle mountain stream of the Boston Mountains, Buffalo River flows northeast through the Ozark Mountains and four counties before converging with White River. The best way to explore this mighty waterway is by kayak or canoe. Tackle the whitewater rapids around the river’s upper sections on a tour and make your way past caves, springs and tumbling waterfalls. Cruise past the river’s colossal sandstone and limestone bluffs and gaze up at the 500-foot (150-meter) rock formations, forged by the river’s ancient flow.
Take a break on a pebbly beach and explore the tracts of wilderness that line the banks of the river. Take on the Buffalo River Trail, a 37-mile (59.5-kilometer) trek that stretches between Boxley and Pruitt, or hike the Old River Trail and wander past old pioneer cabins along the riverside. Make the short but steep ascent up a narrow canyon to the thunderous cascades of Hemmed-in-Hollow Falls.
The connection between local Arkansans and the Buffalo River spans generations. Visit some of the historic sites along the river, including the Parker Hickman Farmstead at Erbie and the Boxley Valley Historic Area in Ponca.
The primary access point to the river is the Tyler Bend Visitor Center, where you can find a picnic spot, the ranger station and a campground. Several concessioners rent out watercraft for single or multiday adventures, complete with life jackets and a shuttle service. Camping and vacation cabins are available at several sites along the river. Go zip lining or relax in an outdoor hot tub at Buffalo River’s resort. Check with the ranger to find out about the best place to paddle at the time of year you’ll be visiting, as the river’s flow can change dramatically throughout the seasons.