Buffalo National River

Hemmed-in Hollow Falls

Hemmed-In Hollow Falls

Hike Shine Eye to Gilbert

Trail is along the bluffs of the river from Hwy 65 to Gilbert.

Hike the Beaver Jim Villines Homestead Trail

This short interpretive loop begins at the Ponca Access of the Buffalo River near the intersection of Hwy. 43 and 74. Walk across the low-water bridge (when passable) and follow signs up the hill. This easy trail passes the old homestead and farm buildings of "Beaver" Jim Villines, an early fur trapper and trader in Boxley Valley.

Hike the Buffalo Point Campground Trails

The Buffalo Point Campground Trails give campers, day hikers, and leashed dogs a chance to stretch their legs between the campground and the historic cabin area at Buffalo Point. Hike through a mix of a pine and oak trees, a cedar glade, and past a sinkhole as you explore. Wildflowers dot the trail system throughout the spring and summer. Finally, the view from the Overlook Trail is one that you do not want to miss!

Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Boxley to Pruitt

The Buffalo River Trail (BRT) winds along the bluffs and ridgelines on the south side of the river, traversing the Ponca Wilderness past scenic overlooks, old home sites, and cascading creeks. This portion of the BRT is 37 miles long and is a popular thru-hiking destination for backpackers. Day hikers can access the BRT in several locations for shorter out-and-back or point-to-point hikes.

Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Woolum to Dillards Ferry

A long and difficult hike, the Buffalo River Trail between Woolum and Dillards Ferry stretches a majority of the middle district of Buffalo National River.

Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Woolum to Tyler Bend

The Buffalo River Trail follows along the south side of the river from Woolum to Tyler Bend for a little more than 11 miles.

Hike the Cecil Cove Loop

This 7-mile loop winds through the wooded valley following Cecil Creek. The trail crosses Cecil Creek 5 times in the first 2 miles, so it may not be passable during rainy season due to high water. The Cecil Cove Loop passes old home sites, historic cemeteries, and provides beautiful scenic views during leaf-off. CAUTION: Starting in 2021 the Cecil Cove Trail experienced and continues to experience landslides. Proceed on the trail at your own risk and use extreme caution.

Hike the Indian Rockhouse Trail

A hike on the Indian Rockhouse reveals geologic formations commonly found on a limestone landscape and gives hikers an opportunity to explore locations where ancient peoples sought shelter.

Hike the Lost Valley Trail

The Lost Valley Trail is an easy to moderate hike through a box canyon sculpted by Clark Creek. At 2.4 miles round-trip, this trail features caves, waterfalls, a Native American bluff shelter, and breathtaking groves of American beech trees.

Hike the Old Railroad Trail

The Old Raildroad Trail follows the river east from Gilbert along the former route of the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad.

Hike the Rush Mine Level Trail and Morning Star Interpretive Loop

This .25 mile to 1.5 mile trail offers beautiful views of Rush Valley and gives hikers an understanding of the historic, mining, landscape. In the 1880s, zinc ore was discovered in the hills and claims were staked out along Rush Valley and neighboring Clabber Creek. Eventually, a community of homes and businesses developed along Rush Creek and endured until the 1960s. Come and explore this unique history as you hike Rush Mountain.

Hike to Big Bluff

The Centerpoint Trail is a strenuous hike that traverses the Ponca Wilderness, winding down an old wagon road descending nearly 1,300 ft. to the Buffalo River. The "Goat Trail" spurs off of Centerpoint and leads to iconic Big Bluff, which offers outstanding panoramic views of the Buffalo River and the rugged Ozark Mountains that surround it.

Hike to Hemmed-in Hollow

The picturesque Hemmed-in Hollow Falls cascades nearly 210 feet over rugged Ozark bluffs, making it the highest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians. This waterfall only flows after a considerable amount of rain, so please be mindful of recent precipitation before you attempt this difficult hike. The Hemmed-in Hollow Trail is an extremely steep and strenuous trail that will humble even the most experienced hiker.

Hike to Hideout Hollow

The Hideout Hollow Trail leads to a rock shelter that was once inhabited by a group of World War I draft dodgers called The Slacker Gang. The Slacker Gang was made up of 9 young men from the Cecil Cove area who refused to join the army and decided to go into hiding in the wilderness. The 9 young men remained in hiding for months before surrendering to the draft in 1918.

Hike Tyler Bend Trails

Hikers can plan loops of varying lengths to suit their time and ability.

Paddle Boxley to Ponca

The most technical section of Buffalo National River, Boxley to Ponca is recommended only for highly-experienced whitewater paddlers. Water levels on this section tend to rise and fall rapidly, so paddlers must have a solid understanding of reading river gauges to properly time their float.

Paddle Buffalo National River with Your Pet

Paddling with your pet can be an enjoyable activity at Buffalo National River. Here are some trip suggestions along with helpful tips to make your time at the river a safe and pleasant experience. Share the river with your four-legged buddy!

Paddle Erbie to Ozark

A serene, 5.4-mile stretch of the Buffalo River winds between Erbie and Ozark and offers excellent opportunities for solitude and wildlife watching.

Paddle Hasty to Carver

Anglers love the 4-mile trip between Hasty and Carver for its countless fishing holes and perfect smallmouth habitat.

Paddle Kyles Landing to Erbie

Downstream from the hustle and bustle of Kyles Landing, one can find solitude among this comparatively quiet, 5.7-mile stretch of river snaking through the Ponca Wilderness. Paddlers will cruise through adrenaline-inducing shoals, tranquil pools, and haystack waves on this section with fascinating sandstone formations adorning the banks.

Paddle Ozark to Pruitt

A short but delightful float of about 2.1 miles, Ozark to Pruitt is a fun run with several long pools connected by bouncy riffles. The swimming hole at Ozark can get crowded on hot days, so paddlers putting in here should be especially careful when swimmers are present.

Paddle Ponca to Steel Creek

This short section offers an introduction to the Upper Buffalo’s striking scenery and challenging whitewater. The highlight of the trip is paddling beneath Roark Bluff, one of the most iconic blufflines along the entire Buffalo River.

Paddle Pruitt to Hasty

The 7 mile float from Pruitt to Hasty is a popular alternative when conditions upriver are too low for paddling. This section flows past geologic curiosities, shaded swimming holes, and cool, dripping springs as the river veers southward in its journey.

Paddle Steel Creek to Kyles Landing

Hands-down the most beloved and popular section of the upper river, the 8-mile section from Steel Creek to Kyles Landing meanders through the heart of the Ponca Wilderness past towering bluffs, hidden side canyons, and relics of early settlement. Alternating between tumbling rapids and long, cerulean pools, paddlers will delight in the variety of pace and challenge.

Paddling Baker Ford to Tyler Bend

The Baker Ford to Tyler Bend reach is usually an easy, short paddle.

Paddling Carver to Mt. Hersey

Unassuming in its beauty and variety, the float from Carver to Mt. Hersey demonstrates the transition from upper to middle river landscapes.

Paddling Dillards Ferry to Buffalo Point

The float between Dillard's Ferry and Buffalo Point is a short trip for those that have a very limited amount of time. The highlight of the trip is floating by Skull Rock. Be aware that there is not a road on the gravel bar at Buffalo Point so all vessels will need to be carried up the gravel bar to the parking lot. Shuttle time between Dillard's Ferry and Buffalo Point is 12 minutes (5.5 miles).

Paddling Dillards Ferry to Rush Landing

This 9-mile paddling trip offers some great fishing holes between Buffalo Point and Rush, where the pools get long and the current typically slows in the summer time. You have the option at stopping at Buffalo Point, which is 1.5 miles from Dillards Ferry to admire Painted Bluff and Ludlow Bluff further downstream, which is actually the tallest bluff on the river (sorry, Big Bluff).

Paddling Gilbert to South Maumee

This reach is about 12 miles which makes it one of the less crowded sections of the river.