This Arkansas River with Ancient Caves, Falls & Emerald Pools Has More Visitors Than The Grand Canyon

Buffalo National River, Arkansas

Tucked into the Ozark Mountains, the Buffalo National River flows wild and free through 135 miles of Arkansas backcountry. America’s first national river dishes up limestone bluffs, hidden caves, and water so crystal-clear you can count the fish swimming below your canoe.

This River Was Saved From Being Dammed Forever

Back in 1972, Buffalo National River broke new ground as America’s first protected river. Congress stepped in during what locals called the ‘Dam Crisis’ when engineers wanted to block the river for power. Now the river flows freely through four Arkansas counties for 135 miles.

Arkansas Elk Came Back From Near Extinction

The Buffalo River area is home to the state’s only herd, about 500 animals strong. These magnificent creatures disappeared from Arkansas in the 1840s due to hunting but made a comeback after being reintroduced in the 1980s.

Head to Boxley Valley fields at sunrise or sunset for your best chance of spotting them. Sometimes they even appear near Steel Creek Campground in the early morning hours.

If you’re interested in hunting, limited permits are available during specific weeks in October and November 2024-2025.

The River Hides Fossils Older Than Dinosaurs

The rocks tell amazing stories here. Fossils in the Buffalo National River area span an incredible 180 million years, showing everything from ancient sea life to early land plants.

The river cuts through layers of rock deposited during the Paleozoic era. A nearby site called Conard Fissure turned up fifteen saber-tooth cat specimens and giant armadillo remains.

You Can Actually See the Milky Way

When was the last time you really saw the stars? In 2019, Buffalo National River earned recognition as an International Dark Sky Park, the first in Arkansas and only the 26th National Park Service site with this status.

The park takes this seriously with strict lighting rules, including a special curfew for the Tyler Bend Pavilion.

Visit at night and you’ll see the Milky Way more clearly than almost anywhere else in this part of the country. They even host yearly dark sky festivals with expert astronomers, telescopes, and programs about protecting our night skies.

A Wild River That Never Got Tamed

When you float down Buffalo River, you’re experiencing something increasingly rare. This 135-mile stretch runs completely free without any dams, making it one of the few rivers like this left in the lower 48 states.

People fought hard for this status during a heated battle in the 1960s between those who wanted to preserve the river and others who wanted to dam it. As you paddle, you’ll notice how the water changes character, from lively rapids to peaceful pools while winding through the Ozarks.

The natural flooding cycles keep the ecosystem healthy and support native fish that need flowing water to thrive.

The Perfect Home for Hundreds of Animal Species

The river creates a perfect environment for countless animals. About 200 different kinds of birds and 55 mammal species call this area home, important enough that Audubon Arkansas named it an Important Bird Area in 2016.

Watch for river otters hunting in the water, and you might spot black bears, deer, mink, bobcats, or beavers as you explore. The range of habitats from riverside bottoms to highland forests creates small climate zones where unique plants grow that you won’t find elsewhere nearby.

Limestone Cliffs That Tower Over the Water

Look up while floating down the river and you’ll be amazed. Limestone walls tower more than 400 feet directly above the water in some places, creating what many people describe as ‘Arkansas’s Garden of Eden.’

These massive cliffs formed as the river gradually cut through ancient limestone over countless years. Look closely and you’ll notice unusual plants growing on these walls, species that have adapted to survive in the thin soil and harsh conditions.

The Longest Cave in Arkansas Lies Hidden Below

There’s more to this park than meets the eye. The limestone landscape includes Fitton Cave, the longest known cave in Arkansas, plus hundreds of other documented caves throughout the area.

For 16 years until recently, these cave systems were closed to explorers. Groups like the Boston Mountain Grotto and Cave Research Foundation have worked to reopen select caves under permit systems.

Inside these underground chambers live unique creatures evolved for darkness, including several types of blind cavefish and rare bat colonies that you won’t find anywhere else.

Three Untouched Wilderness Areas You Can Explore

Within the park lie some truly wild places. Three specially designated wilderness areas have the highest level of protection the government can give to public lands.

These include Ponca Wilderness, Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area, and the Lower Wilderness Area. You can reach the Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area by starting at Boxley Bridge on Highway 21.

As you hike, notice the trail markers: white for hiking-only trails and yellow for trails that allow both hiking and horseback riding. If you want to ride horses, remember they’re only allowed on certain trails in the Lower Wilderness Area.

What You Need to Know Before Visiting

Buffalo National River welcomes visitors around the clock with no entrance fee, though you’ll need to pay for camping.

The main visitor center is at Tyler Bend (170 Ranger Road, St. Joe, AR 72675). Don’t rely on GPS navigation, as it often fails in this area. Bring official park maps instead.

Many access roads aren’t paved, and some require vehicles with four-wheel drive or high clearance.