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Buffalo River Canyon © Michael Dougherty
Website by OzarkWebSolutions.com Photography on this web site © Michael Dougherty
"Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul."
John Muir
John Muir
Experience the Buffalo National River
The Buffalo National River in Northwest Arkansas is a largely undiscovered national
treasure. The area surrounding America's first National River is pristine and truly the
jewel of the Ozark Mountains. Visitors come to the area from destination states like
Colorado and Maine to sample its pristine beauty. Unlike well known destinations like
Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, the Buffalo National River offers visitors remarkably
inexpensive vacations and escape weekends, as well as seclusion, a pristine
environment and 150 miles of remarkable natural attractions. 16,000,000 people live
within one tank of gas of the area.
A Comprehensive Tool For Visitors Old and New
The first challenge to any visitor is to get the overall picture of the destination, then figure
out what to do. This website will help you plan your itinerary, and it gives you the tools to
plan a great first visit. You will be able to access maps that help you understand where
everything is located. Armed with that information, you can decide where to stay, whether
it be at a NPS campground, an affordable cabin, hotel or motel.
Content is organized by section of the Buffalo National River. A 150 mile long park
requires that you stay near the attractions that interest you. Most divide the Buffalo
National River into 3 sections. From its source, to the confluence with the famous White
River, the river changes from wild, rugged, and seasonal, to wide with year round floating
motorized john boats. Each end of the river features wilderness areas to satisfy any
nature lover.
First Steps to Plan Your Visit
The first step for visitors is to look at a map of the Buffalo National River (opens in a separate window, great map). This will give you an idea of the layout of the park. You have three basic choices of the river to choose from, the upper, middle, and lower Buffalo River areas. Each stretch of the river has a somewhat different character, and each has different attractions and nearby day trips. Content on this site will usually be divided into these 3 areas. This website will give you the information you need to have a successful visit. The overall goal is to hit the ground running when you visit, saving you time and money.
The site also identifies destinations for nature lovers near the Buffalo National River, but technically not a part of the river park. This is an extraordinary area of Arkansas with other park lands operated by the Forest Service, and the state of Arkansas.
This website will grow steadily for years. It will be kept up-to-date and there will be news about new attractions, schedules of programs, news on wildlife, news about the river. The links section (coming soon) locates in one place useful resources that expand on the material in the site. There will be a calendar of events. There are volunteer opportunities and donations may be made to park improvements being made by various organizations.
The first step for visitors is to look at a map of the Buffalo National River (opens in a separate window, great map). This will give you an idea of the layout of the park. You have three basic choices of the river to choose from, the upper, middle, and lower Buffalo River areas. Each stretch of the river has a somewhat different character, and each has different attractions and nearby day trips. Content on this site will usually be divided into these 3 areas. This website will give you the information you need to have a successful visit. The overall goal is to hit the ground running when you visit, saving you time and money.
The site also identifies destinations for nature lovers near the Buffalo National River, but technically not a part of the river park. This is an extraordinary area of Arkansas with other park lands operated by the Forest Service, and the state of Arkansas.
This website will grow steadily for years. It will be kept up-to-date and there will be news about new attractions, schedules of programs, news on wildlife, news about the river. The links section (coming soon) locates in one place useful resources that expand on the material in the site. There will be a calendar of events. There are volunteer opportunities and donations may be made to park improvements being made by various organizations.
Calf Elk Read the Park Rules at Ponca
© Michael Dougherty
© Michael Dougherty
Guide to this Site
Buffalo River News -- Blog and latest news relevant to the park.
Campgrounds -- Straight ahead guide to the NPS campgrounds with supplemental links.
Hiking Trails -- Summary information on hiking trails with real world reviews and useful tips.
Maps -- Simple to amazing maps of the area, including guides and maps of nearby trails.
BNR Conditions -- More planning information, weather for different districts, all river levels.
Volunteer at BNR -- Volunteering opportunities and requests for donations to park projects.
More coming soon.
Buffalo River News -- Blog and latest news relevant to the park.
Campgrounds -- Straight ahead guide to the NPS campgrounds with supplemental links.
Hiking Trails -- Summary information on hiking trails with real world reviews and useful tips.
Maps -- Simple to amazing maps of the area, including guides and maps of nearby trails.
BNR Conditions -- More planning information, weather for different districts, all river levels.
Volunteer at BNR -- Volunteering opportunities and requests for donations to park projects.
More coming soon.
Old Barn in Historic Boxley Valley
© Michael Dougherty
© Michael Dougherty
Trumpeter Swan and Coon on Beaver Dam, Boxley Valley Mill Pond
Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.
John Muir
John Muir
Our task must be to free ourselves...by widening our circle of compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature and its beauty.
Einstein
Einstein