Day Hikes In The Buffalo National River Park
Buffalo River Trail
The Buffalo River Trail is presently 37 miles long. Unlike the old river road trail, which follows the river more closely, the BRT does not have river crossings. Also unlike the old river road trail, use on the BRT is limited to hikers only. When completed, this trail will extend almost the entire length of the Buffalo River. It will also provide a link between Arkansas's Ozark Highland Trail and Missouri's Ozark Trail,
From Boxley Valley to Pruitt, the Buffalo River Trail (BRT) winds through scenic overlooks, old homesteads, and rugged wild areas that best characterize the park. Hiking is most strenuous between Boxley Valley and Erbie, where steep gradients and switchbacks lead to spectacular views of the river. The terrain gradually gives way to a nicer river corridor and terrain which is more forgiving to hikers.
Trailheads to Buffalo River Trail are located at the south end of Boxley Valley, Ponca Low Water Bridge, Steel Creek, Kyles Landing, Erbie, Ozark, and Pruitt Ranger Station. All trailheads but Ponca Low Water Bridge have overnight parking areas available.
The newest addition to the BRT is the 18-mile section from Woolum to Highway 65, near Tyler Bend, then ending up at Gilbert. Trail maps and guides are available for sale through the Eastern National Bookstore, park headquarters and at all visitor contact station locations.
Buffalo River Trail Maps:
Day Hikes In The Buffalo National River Park
Lost Valley Trail (2.1 mile loop) This trail begins at Lost Valley Campground. Features along the trail include waterfalls, towering cliffs, a large bluff shelter, a natural bridge, a cave, and an abundance of spring wildflowers. The cave itself is about 200 feet long and ends in a large room with a 35 foot waterfall. Make certain each person in your group is equipped with a flashlight if you intend on entering the cave.
Mill Creek Trail ( 1.3 mile loop) This trail begins at the lower end of the Pruitt river access. This level trail follows Mill Creek through a lowland hardwood forest and features a pioneer homesite. This trail is best hiked before summer grasses take over the trail.
Center Point Trail This Trail leads through the Ponca Wilderness and descends 1300 feet to the Buffalo River — it’s quite strenuous on the return, having to climb it all back! The Primitive Trail at 2.5 miles is a very nice alternative to hiking all the way down and back up.
Hemmed-in Hollow A very popular but strenuous trail that leads down toward the bluffs of the Buffalo, descending over 1300 feet. This is another trail much more difficult on the return. It features the tallest waterfall in mid-America.
Hide-out Hollow This is a relatively easy trail that includes views of the Cecil Cove valley and two waterfalls. This trail is less than a mile, one way.
Cecil Cove (7 mile loop) This trail crosses Cecil Creek several times and passes historic sites and homesteads. You’ll find the trailhead and parking just above the Old Erbie Church.
Over six miles of trails are located at Tyler Bend. These loop trails begin at the visitor center, campground, and amphitheater and offer hikes ranging from 0.2 miles to 4 miles. Highlighting the trail network are scenic river views and an historic homestead. Free trail maps are available at the visitor center.
River Overlook Trail (1.2 mile loop) This trail begins at the Collier Homestead Parking Area at Tyler Bend. The loop trail leads you to the historic Collier homestead and to river overlooks. A half mile of this trail has improvements to make the section to the homestead and to one of the overlooks accessible to wheelchairs. The Buffalo River Trail can be reached from the Collier Homestead Parking Area.
The Buffalo Point area trail system totals approximately six miles. Trailheads are located in the campground and along the road between the upper information station and restaurant. A map to these trails is available at the information stations.
The trails at the Rush Historic District are located off Rush Road, Rt. 26. A free trail guide is available at Buffalo Point Information Stations. Historic structures and mines are fenced off for your protection.
The Buffalo River Trail is presently 37 miles long. Unlike the old river road trail, which follows the river more closely, the BRT does not have river crossings. Also unlike the old river road trail, use on the BRT is limited to hikers only. When completed, this trail will extend almost the entire length of the Buffalo River. It will also provide a link between Arkansas's Ozark Highland Trail and Missouri's Ozark Trail,
From Boxley Valley to Pruitt, the Buffalo River Trail (BRT) winds through scenic overlooks, old homesteads, and rugged wild areas that best characterize the park. Hiking is most strenuous between Boxley Valley and Erbie, where steep gradients and switchbacks lead to spectacular views of the river. The terrain gradually gives way to a nicer river corridor and terrain which is more forgiving to hikers.
Trailheads to Buffalo River Trail are located at the south end of Boxley Valley, Ponca Low Water Bridge, Steel Creek, Kyles Landing, Erbie, Ozark, and Pruitt Ranger Station. All trailheads but Ponca Low Water Bridge have overnight parking areas available.
The newest addition to the BRT is the 18-mile section from Woolum to Highway 65, near Tyler Bend, then ending up at Gilbert. Trail maps and guides are available for sale through the Eastern National Bookstore, park headquarters and at all visitor contact station locations.
Buffalo River Trail Maps:
- The Boxley to Ponca map: shows the westernmost segment of the Buffalo River Trail, starting just south of Boxley Bridge and dropping into two valleys before arriving at Ponca.
- This Ponca to Steel Creek map: shows the Buffalo River Trail running mostly north, paralleling the eastern shore of the river. This section has fewer up-and-downs than the previous segment.
- The Steel Creek to Kyle’s Landing map: covers the trail’s route through the Ponca Wilderness; this segment is nearly 8 miles and involves ascending a couple hills before the descent to Kyle’s Landing.
- The Kyle’s Landing to Erbie map: shows the immediate climb out of Kyle’s Landing before dropping back down near the Buffalo. Note the trail profile is the opposite direction as the map.
- This Erbie to Ozark map: shows this segment of the trail from Erbie Campground to Ozark Campground, via Cedar Glade. This is a pretty flat stretch, with only minor up-and-downs and no major hills.
- This Ozark to Pruitt map: covers a very short segment of the eastern end of the Buffalo River Trail — about two-and-a-half miles from the Ozark Campground to the Pruitt Picnic Area.
Day Hikes In The Buffalo National River Park
Lost Valley Trail (2.1 mile loop) This trail begins at Lost Valley Campground. Features along the trail include waterfalls, towering cliffs, a large bluff shelter, a natural bridge, a cave, and an abundance of spring wildflowers. The cave itself is about 200 feet long and ends in a large room with a 35 foot waterfall. Make certain each person in your group is equipped with a flashlight if you intend on entering the cave.
Mill Creek Trail ( 1.3 mile loop) This trail begins at the lower end of the Pruitt river access. This level trail follows Mill Creek through a lowland hardwood forest and features a pioneer homesite. This trail is best hiked before summer grasses take over the trail.
Center Point Trail This Trail leads through the Ponca Wilderness and descends 1300 feet to the Buffalo River — it’s quite strenuous on the return, having to climb it all back! The Primitive Trail at 2.5 miles is a very nice alternative to hiking all the way down and back up.
Hemmed-in Hollow A very popular but strenuous trail that leads down toward the bluffs of the Buffalo, descending over 1300 feet. This is another trail much more difficult on the return. It features the tallest waterfall in mid-America.
Hide-out Hollow This is a relatively easy trail that includes views of the Cecil Cove valley and two waterfalls. This trail is less than a mile, one way.
Cecil Cove (7 mile loop) This trail crosses Cecil Creek several times and passes historic sites and homesteads. You’ll find the trailhead and parking just above the Old Erbie Church.
Over six miles of trails are located at Tyler Bend. These loop trails begin at the visitor center, campground, and amphitheater and offer hikes ranging from 0.2 miles to 4 miles. Highlighting the trail network are scenic river views and an historic homestead. Free trail maps are available at the visitor center.
River Overlook Trail (1.2 mile loop) This trail begins at the Collier Homestead Parking Area at Tyler Bend. The loop trail leads you to the historic Collier homestead and to river overlooks. A half mile of this trail has improvements to make the section to the homestead and to one of the overlooks accessible to wheelchairs. The Buffalo River Trail can be reached from the Collier Homestead Parking Area.
The Buffalo Point area trail system totals approximately six miles. Trailheads are located in the campground and along the road between the upper information station and restaurant. A map to these trails is available at the information stations.
- Indian Rockhouse Trail (3 mile loop) Begin your journey to the Indian Rockhouse, a bluff shelter once inhabited by Indians, at the trailhead located between the information station and restaurant. The return trail is a strenuous uphill climb. A trail guide is available for 50 cents.
- Overlook Trail (0.5mile) This easy hike will lead you to a beautiful overlook of the Buffalo River. Begin at the Indian Rockhouse Trailhead.
- Amphitheater Trail (1.lmiles) This connector trail links the campground with the upper information station and the concession cabins.
The trails at the Rush Historic District are located off Rush Road, Rt. 26. A free trail guide is available at Buffalo Point Information Stations. Historic structures and mines are fenced off for your protection.
- Morning Star Loop Trail (0.3 mile) This path passes the ruins of the Morning Star Mine buildings, including the remains of a blacksmith shop, livery barn, and smelter built in 1886. Begin at the Morning Star Trailhead.
- Rush Hiking Trail (2.2 miles) Begin your hike at either the Morning Star Trailhead or Rush landing. The trail is completed to Clabber Creek