Buffalo National River
Rate this placeLast Updated: December 5, 2025
Buffalo National River is a beautiful and unique park located in the state of Arkansas.
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Summary
It is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states and offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature as it was meant to be. There are many good reasons to visit the park, including hiking, camping, fishing, and canoeing.
Some specific points of interest to see at Buffalo National River include Hemmed-In Hollow, which is the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians, and the Indian Rockhouse Trail, which takes visitors to a rock shelter used by Native Americans for thousands of years. The park also has over 100 miles of hiking trails, ranging from easy to difficult, and is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bears, elk, and bald eagles.
Interesting facts about the area include that the Buffalo River was designated as a National River in 1972, making it the first river in the United States to receive this designation. The park also contains over 300 caves, many of which are open to the public for exploration.
The best time of year to visit Buffalo National River is in the spring or fall when the weather is mild and the crowds are smaller. Summer can be very hot and humid, and the park can be crowded with tourists. Winter can be cold and icy, making some activities, such as canoeing, more difficult.
Overall, Buffalo National River is a beautiful and unique park that offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of nature as it was meant to be. With its many hiking trails, waterfalls, and wildlife, it is a must-see destination for anyone visiting the state of Arkansas.
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Park & Land Designation Reference
Large protected natural areas managed by the federal government to preserve significant landscapes, ecosystems, and cultural resources; recreation is allowed but conservation is the priority.
State Park
Public natural or recreational areas managed by a state government, typically smaller than national parks and focused on regional natural features, recreation, and education.
Local Park
Community-level parks managed by cities or counties, emphasizing recreation, playgrounds, sports, and green space close to populated areas.
Wilderness Area
The highest level of land protection in the U.S.; designated areas where nature is left essentially untouched, with no roads, structures, or motorized access permitted.
National Recreation Area
Areas set aside primarily for outdoor recreation (boating, hiking, fishing), often around reservoirs, rivers, or scenic landscapes; may allow more development.
National Conservation Area (BLM)
BLM-managed areas with special ecological, cultural, or scientific value; more protection than typical BLM land but less strict than Wilderness Areas.
State Forest
State-managed forests focused on habitat, watershed, recreation, and sustainable timber harvest.
National Forest
Federally managed lands focused on multiple use—recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, and resource extraction (like timber)—unlike the stricter protections of national parks.
Wilderness
A protected area set aside to conserve specific resources—such as wildlife, habitats, or scientific features—with regulations varying widely depending on the managing agency and purpose.
Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Land
Vast federal lands managed for mixed use—recreation, grazing, mining, conservation—with fewer restrictions than national parks or forests.
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