Buffalo River Overview
This section contains an overview for visitors of the 150 mile long Buffalo National River. It is
organized by river area. It includes links to attractions, local guides, weather information, river levels,
as well as driving time information. The BNR was recently voted by AOL travel as one of the 10 least
known national parks that everyone must visit. Designated as America's first National River 1972, it
an affordable destination that everyone should visit. See the Buffalo River Map, it will open in a
separate window.
This section is an overview. It is supplemented by more in-depth resources such as the maps, hiking
trails, and campground sections. Be sure to visit the maps page and the links page when doing your
planning.
Upper Buffalo River Area
The Upper Buffalo River area contains many of the most famous attractions in the entire Buffalo
National River. It is home to two wilderness areas, the Ponca Wilderness, and the Upper Buffalo
Wilderness. The area is a hikers, floaters, naturalists, and horseman paradise.
From the source of the Buffalo National River to the Boxley Bridge, the very upper area of the river is
called "Hailstone". It is revered by expert kayakers and canoeists as one of the most challenging
floats in the US.
Visitors to the area will want to visit the Ponca Elk Education Center (870 861-2432) run by the
Arkansas Game and Fish. Boxley Valley is the best single place to view the famous Arkansas elk
herd. Lost Valley Campground hiking trail is by far the most popular trail in the upper Buffalo River
area.
Middle River Area
The Middle River area of Buffalo National River is placid compared to the upper river area. The
Buffalo River transforms from a wild seasonal river to a year round river, much wider and deeper,
and floatable 12 months a year.
Tyler Bend Visitor Center is located in the middle river area. It is a great facility offering hiking,
camping, swimming and other outdoor activities. The facility includes a number of exhibits of related
to archeology, history, biology, and other aspects of the park. It includes a bookstore. Educational
programs are conducted by the interpretation staff.
The Lower River Area
As the Buffalo River winds to its confluence with the White River, it becomes still wider, it is a very
different river than the upper river area. The lower area offers great fishing for small mouth bass and
trout that migrate upstream from the White River. In this area of the river, johnboats with motors are
the primary water craft, although many canoeists float this area as well.
The Buffalo National River is considered a Blue Ribbon Smallmouth Stream. This coveted national
designation signifies its outstanding fishery.
The primary attraction of the Lower River is Buffalo Point. Buffalo Point was build by the CCC and
was originally an Arkansas State Park. At Buffalo Point vacationers can rent cabins as well as camp.
The campground features outstanding vistas high above the river. Like Lost Valley Campground in
the Upper River Area, Buffalo Point is also a very popular destination for hikers. The most famous
trail is the Indian Rock House trail, but there are many others. There are also many interpretive
programs run out of Buffalo Point.
Buffalo River Overview
online
Overview, River Levels, Weather, & Driving Times, etc.
Upper Buffalo River
Current Ponca Conditions
Historical Data (enter Ponca,
AR)
Middle Buffalo River
Current Gilbert Conditions
Historical Data (enter Gilbert,
AR)
Lower Buffalo River
Current Harriet Conditions
Historical Data (enter Harriet,
AR)
| Towns From West to East | Eureka Springs | Ponca (BR) | Harrison | Jasper | Marshall | Cotter (WR) | Gilbert (BR) | Buffalo City (BR)(WR) |
Mountain View |
| Eureka Springs | Eureka Springs |
54.4 miles 1 hr 27 min |
41.5 miles 55 minutes |
62 miles 1 hr 30 min |
84.4 miles 1 hr 46 min |
82.5 miles 1 hr 46 min |
75.miles 1 hr 41 min |
96.2 miles 2 hr 15 min |
123 miles 3 hours |
| Ponca (BR) |
54.4 miles 1 hr 27 min |
Ponca |
36.6 1 hr 4 min |
15 miles 32 min |
60 miles 1 hr 41 min |
69 miles 1 hr 49 min |
51.3 miles 1 hr 35 min |
83.1 miles 2 hrs 21 min |
99.2 miles 2 hrs 54 min |
| Harrison |
41.5 miles 55 minutes |
36.6 1 hr 4 min |
Harrison |
20.6 miles 35 mins |
43.1 miles 53 mins |
41.2 miles 53 mins |
33.8 miles 47 mins |
54.9 miles 1 hr 26 min |
81.7 miles 2 hrs 6 min |
| Jasper |
62 miles 1 hr 30 min |
15 miles 32 min |
20.6 miles 35 mins |
Jasper |
46.1 miles 1 hr 9 mins |
55.2 miles 1 hr 18 min |
36.8 miles 1 hr 4 min |
68.9 miles 1hr 51 mins |
84.7 miles 2 hrs 22 min |
| Marshall |
84.4 miles 1 hr 46 min |
60 miles 1 hr 41 min |
43.1 miles 53 mins |
46.1 miles 1 hr 9 mins |
Marshall |
51.7 miles 1 hr 19 min |
15.6 miles 22 min |
65.4 miles 1 hr 51 min |
38.6 miles 1 hr 13 min |
| Cotter |
82.5 miles 1 hr 46 min |
69 miles 1 hr 49 min |
41.2 miles 53 mins |
55.2 miles 1 hr 18 min |
51.7 miles 1 hr 19 min |
Cotter |
32.8 miles 1 hr 8 min |
14 miles 34 min |
58.3 miles 1 hr 52 min |
| Gilbert (BR) |
75.miles 1 hr 41 min |
51.3 miles 1 hr 35 min |
33.8 miles 47 mins |
36.8 miles 1 hr 4 min |
15.6 miles 22 min |
32.8 miles 1 hr 8 min |
Gilbert |
46.5 miles 1 hr 40 min |
54.2 miles 1 hr 35 min |
| Buffalo City (BR) |
96.2 miles 2 hr 15 min |
83.1 miles 2 hrs 21 min |
54.9 miles 1 hr 26 min |
68.9 miles 1hr 51 mins |
65.4 miles 1 hr 51 min |
14 miles 34 min |
46.5 miles 1 hr 40 min |
Buffalo City |
52.5 miles 2 hrs |
| Mountain View |
123 miles 3 hrs |
99.2 miles 2 hrs 54 min |
81.7 miles 2 hrs 6 min |
84.7 miles 2 hrs 22 min |
38.6 miles 1 hr 13 min |
58.3 miles 1 hr 52 min |
54.2 miles 1 hr 35 min |
52.5 miles 2 hrs |
Mountain View |
Driving Distances and Times
In the Buffalo National River area, driving times and distances often don't line up very well. Visitors accustomed to quick trips are surprised at
how long it takes to venture from one area to another. Winding roads through the mountains add a lot of time to trips. The guide below
identifies how long it takes to get to various points both on and off the river. These times and distances are calculated with online mapping
tools.
Note that some town names are followed by a (BR) or in a couple of cases (WR). Towns with these designations are "river towns", directly on
either the Buffalo River (BR) or the White River (WR). Some of the towns are popular tourist destinations like Jasper, Eureka Springs, and
Mountain View even though they are not on the river. Visitors often take day trips to these destinations to shop and eat. This guide should
assist in figuring out the best place for you to stay when you visit, depending on your itinerary.