Spring has sprung. After an unseasonably harsh winter, it is time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. There is no better spring destination than “the Crown Jewel of the Natural State,” the Buffalo River.
America’s first National River, the Buffalo, is one of the few remaining free-flowing rivers in the lower forty-eight states. It is included in the National Wild and Scenic River Systems, which Congress created to protect waterways possessing outstanding remarkable values. The waterway also passes through three Arkansas Wilderness Areas. A more pristine area to escape the hustle and bustle of today’s modern world is not available. The Buffalo offers canoeing, hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, and a zipline adventure; this area has something for everyone.
BUFFALO BY WATER
With the runoff from spring rainfall, this is a great time to float the typically shallow waters of the Upper Buffalo area. The deep channels in the lower section of the stream are floatable through much of the year, so now is the time to enjoy the challenge of Class II-III rapids of the Upper. An April float will also avoid the crowds who swarm the stream during summer.
Don’t own a boat and safety gear? Not a problem. There are plenty of rental services, such as the Buffalo Outdoor Center (BOC) in Ponca, to provide the needed equipment. They even drop you off at the put-in and pick you up at the take-out.
There are a variety of options for your float. You can enjoy a thrilling day on the river, letting BOC take care of the equipment and logistics. Or you can choose a multi-day float, camping at one of the organized campgrounds along its one-hundred-plus mile journey, or stake out your tent on a polished rock gravel bar. With either option, paddlers will enjoy a scenic float in emerald-green waters as they drift past the base of sheer three-hundred-foot bluffs and dense Arkansas backwoods.
TAKE A HIKE
The Buffalo area also offers numerous opportunities for hikers. The forty-ish-mile Buffalo River Trail parallels the river along the rim of tall bluffs, offering expansive views into the deep channel and past cascading runoffs flowing down the hillside. Trekkers also pass remnants of stone chimneys and foundations from abandoned homesteads of Arkansans who once called the lush wilderness home.
There are plenty of engaging day hikes for those who prefer shorter treks. Hemmed-In-Hollow Trail is a local favorite. This five-mile loop leads hikers to the base of the tallest waterfall between the Appalachians and the Rockies. You’ll discover the historic 1900s-era Granny Henderson’s Cabin along the way. On your return, the hike crosses Jim’s Bluff, with a picturesque view of a sweeping bend in the river some four-hundred-foot below. And for those who prefer a path less traveled, there remains plenty of unspoiled wildness to explore in one of the Wilderness Areas.
GRAB SOME ROCK
Although it may not be for everyone, the Buffalo River area offers premier rock climbing at Horseshoe Canyon Ranch (HCR). The massive horseshoe-shaped rim of two-hundred-foot-tall sandstone bluffs, spanning over half a mile distance between the open end of the canyon, is like features typically found in the country’s western region.
If you have ever entertained the idea of rock climbing, HCR is a great place to start. They will even rent you the gear and provide training to make your initial outing a safe and fun experience. They cater to all skill levels with over four hundred bolted routes rated from uber beginner to world-class climbers.
If rock climbing is not your cup of tea, consider the thrill of their Via Ferrata, a protected climbing route featuring steel cables and ladders fixed to the rock. Safely secured with a harness and leashes, climbers can navigate the route with ease. The ranch also includes lodging and dining.
KNOBBY TIRE ADVENTURES
When planning a visit to the Buffalo River area, don’t forget about mountain biking. There are plenty of trail systems that are unlike any other in the state.
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch is no longer just a climbing destination. It is bursting onto the mountain bike scene with over twenty miles of professionally constructed, hand-cut, cross-country dirt paths designed to thrill all riding levels. The trails weave through the scenic canyons created by craggy bluffs and around huge house-sized boulders. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, you can ride the trails, which wind through massive boulder fields and scenic landscapes, complete with mountain views and running streams. Don’t have a bike? No problem—choose from their wide selection of mountain bikes, and e-bike rentals, available in all sizes to enhance your day-long adventure across the ranch.
The Upper Buffalo Headwaters trails earned a national IMBA EPIC rating, meaning they are the best of the best in the mountain bike world. With a combination of old-school, hand-cut singletrack, and machine-built flow/downhill sections, the forty-plus-mile trail network offers a total riding experience for intermediate to advanced riders.
The BOC trail system was modeled after the famous world-class downhill mountain bike trail systems in British Columbia. With over 1,300 feet change in elevation, this was an opportunity to bring advanced caliber, adrenaline-pumping, technical downhill riding to Arkansas. Oh, and by the way, BOC offers a shuttle service back up the mountain.
ANYONE UP FOR A ZIPLINE ADVENTURE
For the true adrenaline junkies aged seven and over, the area includes an opportunity to zip through the forest and soar across the deep hollers like an Imperial solder on a hoverbike in a Star Wars movie.
BOC offers a unique high-flying experience on its Zipline Canopy Tour. Gliding among the treetops strapped in a harness while dangling from a cable, the views are surreal. Launching from one wooden platform to another across the forested mountainside will keep visitors entertained throughout the two-hour tour.
Just around the bend and up the mountain, HCR has the longest zipline in Arkansas. It extends one-half mile across the open end of the gorge. Suspended over 200 feet above the canyon floor, passengers enjoy breathtaking views across the Ozark Mountains.
EXTEND YOUR VISIT
There are several options for extending your visit to the Buffalo River. The campgrounds along the shores of the river are also accessible to vehicles as well. Floaters can stay each night at a different camp as they progress downstream.
If you are not up for camping, there are several quaint cabin rentals throughout the area, including many offered by BOC. And if you are an RVer, BOC has a cozy park for your home away from home. The Buffalo River is just another reason I’m glad I live in the Natural State.
Plan your adventure! Visit Buffalo Outdoor Center at buffaloriver.com, and Horseshoe Canyon Ranch at horseshoecanyon.com.
