This reach is about 12 miles which makes it one of the less crowded sections of the river.
6 Hours
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.
3-4 Hours
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.
4-6 Hours
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.
5-8 Hours
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.
1-4 Hours
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.
15-60 Minutes
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.
4-6 Hours
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.
4-6 Hours
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.
24-48 Hours
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.
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!
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.
1-3 Hours
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.
3-5 Hours
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!
1-4 Hours
This typically quiet and calm piece of river takes you past Maumee Bluff and Schoolhouse Ridge before approaching Spring Creek itself, Spring Creek Bluff, and the Spring Creek access point and primitive campground. This 4.7-mile stretch of river has a decent shuttle trip of approximately 45 minutes (20 miles).
2-4 Hours
This friendly, 4.6-mile paddle is great for folks that want to get a good feel for the river, but don't want to be out all day. You will paddle by Jackpot, Kimball, and Stairstep Bluffs as you make your way towards Water Creek, a great place to park the boat and get out and explore. This river trip ends at Dillards Ferry, the Highway 14 bridge.
2-4 Hours
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).
1-2 Hours
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).
4-6 Hours
This 30-mile paddling trip cuts through the Lower Wilderness Area to the mouth of Buffalo National River. This is a stretch of river that a majority of visitors never see. As you paddle through the Lower Wilderness you will be greeted by Woodcock Bluff, Sheep Jump Bluff, and Elephant Head Rock. You can also park your boat at the mouth of Big Creek and hike a 1/4 mile to the Cold Spring Schoolhouse, a historic Works Progress Administration structure, from the 1930s.
2-5 Days
Trail is along the bluffs of the river from Hwy 65 to Gilbert.
4 Hours
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.
2-3 Hours
Anglers love the 4-mile trip between Hasty and Carver for its countless fishing holes and perfect smallmouth habitat.
2-3 Hours
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.
1-2 Hours
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.
3-5 Hours
A serene, 5.4-mile stretch of the Buffalo River winds between Erbie and Ozark and offers excellent opportunities for solitude and wildlife watching.
3-4 Hours
The Old Raildroad Trail follows the river east from Gilbert along the former route of the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad.
3 Hours
The Buffalo River Trail follows along the south side of the river from Woolum to Tyler Bend for a little more than 11 miles.
12 Hours
Hikers can plan loops of varying lengths to suit their time and ability.
1-4 Hours
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.
1-3 Hours
Easy, flat water for 1 mile reach of the river.
1 Hour
Unassuming in its beauty and variety, the float from Carver to Mt. Hersey demonstrates the transition from upper to middle river landscapes.
4 Hours
This reach provides numerous bluffs, shoals and pools along the way.
4 Hours
Either Tyler Bend to Gilbert or Grinder's Ferry to Gilbert can be a pleasant, easy float with plenty of sand/gravel bars to rest and have a picnic. Numerous deep pools provide options for swimming. Weekdays are quiet and peaceful. Weekends are busy and noisy with lots of floaters enjoying the river.
2 Hours
The Baker Ford to Tyler Bend reach is usually an easy, short paddle.
2 Hours
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.
1-3 Hours
Several bluffs along this reach (Margaret White, Whisenant, Buzzard Roost and Peter Cave) are more than 200 feet high.
5 Hours
Hemmed-In Hollow Falls
4-12 Hours