Buffalo National River is located in Arkansas, USA. It lies between the Ozark Mountains and the forests of northern Arkansas and is situated in the north-central part of the state. The river is famous for its clean, free-flowing water, tall bluffs, and great places for canoeing, hiking, and wildlife viewing.
Buffalo National River Location Map,Harrison area, Arkansas
Arkansas Related Links
Top Attractions Inside Buffalo National River
- Tyler Bend – Central hub with scenic river views, trails, and a visitor center.
- Ponca & Boxley Valley – Famous for elk viewing and dramatic limestone bluffs.
- Lost Valley Trail – Popular hike featuring caves, waterfalls, and lush forest scenery.
- Hawksbill Crag (Whitaker Point) – Iconic rock outcrop with stunning panoramic views.
- Buffalo Point – Beautiful bluffs, campgrounds, and swimming areas along the river.
- Big Bluff / Goat Trail – Narrow ledge trail offering thrilling views over the Buffalo River.
- Hemmed-In Hollow Falls – The tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians, reached by a challenging hike.
Buffalo National River Facts
| Official Name | Buffalo National River |
| Location | Ozark Mountains region, northern Arkansas, USA — nearest access town: Harrison, AR |
| Latitude & Longitude (approx.) | ≈ 36.2337° N, 92.9382° W (central river area) |
| Total Length | ≈ 135 miles (217 km) free-flowing river |
| Designation / Established | National Wild and Scenic River — established March 1, 1972 |
| Managed By | National Park Service (NPS) |
| Main Features / Attractions | Scenic river valleys, bluffs, limestone cliffs, waterfalls, caves, wildlife habitats, canoeing/kayaking, hiking trails |
| Visitor Activities | Canoeing, kayaking, fishing, hiking, camping, wildlife observation, photography, scenic drives |
| Notable Sections / Access Points | Boxley Valley, Ponca, Steel Creek, Kyle’s Landing, Hasty, Rush, Pruitt, Gilbert, Tyler Bend |
| Wildlife & Ecology | Forests, wetlands, and river ecosystems — supports deer, beavers, river otters, various fish species, songbirds, and bald eagles |
| Significance / Notability | First National River in the U.S.; one of the last remaining free-flowing rivers in the lower 48 states |
| Time Zone | Central Time (CT) – UTC−6 Standard / UTC−5 Daylight Saving |
| Official Website / Info Source | https://www.nps.gov/buff/index.htm |
Distances from Buffalo National River to Nearby Landmarks
- Tyler Bend Visitor Center – 0.0 km (0.0 mi)
- Buffalo Point – 56.0 km (34.8 mi)
- Ponca Access – 96.6 km (60.0 mi)
- Steel Creek Campground – 93.3 km (58.0 mi)
- Kyles Landing – 86.9 km (54.0 mi)
- Lost Valley Trailhead – 98.2 km (61.0 mi)
- Rush Historic District – 48.3 km (30.0 mi)
- Buffalo Outdoor Center (Ponca) – 96.6 km (60.0 mi)
- Jasper, Arkansas – 72.4 km (45.0 mi)
- Harrison, Arkansas – 61.2 km (38.0 mi)
- Marshall, Arkansas – 19.3 km (12.0 mi)
- Mountain View, Arkansas – 80.5 km (50.0 mi)
- Blanchard Springs Caverns – 88.5 km (55.0 mi)
- Ozark National Forest Boundary – 40.2 km (25.0 mi)
- Little Buffalo River Access (Jasper) – 72.4 km (45.0 mi)
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