Buffalo National River park
Buffalo National River
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.
Park & land designation reference
A quick legend for the federal and state land categories Snoflo tracks. Each designation comes with different rules around access, recreation, and resource extraction.
- National Park
- 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 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.
- 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.
Plan your visit down to the hour
Same weather feed Snoflo's iOS app uses -- updated continuously from NOAA / yr.no.
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day temperature & precipitation
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Area campgrounds
Snoflo-tracked campgrounds within reach of Buffalo National River, with reservations status.
| Campground | Reservations | Toilets | View |
|---|---|---|---|
| Castle Bluff Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Lost Valley - Buffalo National River | ✓ | ✗ | → |
| Steel Creek Horse Camp | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Steel Creek - Buffalo National River | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Kyle's Landing | ✗ | ✗ | → |
| Kyles Landing | ✗ | ✗ | → |
Plan a longer trip
The closest parks, lakes, fishing spots, and POIs so a park visit can grow into a full weekend.
Responsible recreation & Leave No Trace
- Know before you go
- Check the operator's site for hours, permit requirements, seasonal closures, and fire restrictions before heading out.
- Stay on trail
- Stick to marked paths to protect vegetation, prevent erosion, and avoid disturbing wildlife habitat.
- Respect wildlife
- Observe from a distance, never feed wildlife, and store food securely if camping is permitted on-site.
- Pack it in, pack it out
- Carry out all trash, food scraps, and gear. Many parks have limited or no trash service.
- Leave what you find
- Don't take rocks, plants, or artifacts. They make the park what it is for the next visitor.
Set push alerts in the Snoflo app
Save Buffalo National River as a favorite, set a custom threshold (precipitation, freezing temperatures, fire-restriction days), and the iOS app will push the moment conditions cross.
About Buffalo National River
What can I do at Buffalo National River?
Most Snoflo-tracked parks support hiking, picnicking, and wildlife viewing. Check the operator's site for activity-specific rules (camping, fishing, paddling, hunting).
How fresh is the weather data?
The hourly forecast updates throughout the day from NOAA / yr.no. Streamflow comes live from USGS streamgauges.
When is the best time to visit?
Use the 15-day temperature & precipitation outlook on this page to plan -- pick a window with comfortable temperatures and low precipitation.
How do I get to Buffalo National River?
Tap Directions in the hero above to open driving directions in Google Maps, or Open in map to center the Snoflo interactive map on the park.
Can I get alerts when conditions change?
Yes -- alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this park, set a threshold (temperature, precipitation), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Other parks near here
Snoflo-tracked parks within driving distance of Buffalo National River.