Hemmed-in Hollow Falls
Hemmed-In Hollow Falls
4-12 Hours
National River · AR
Things to do in Buffalo
The National Park Service lists 37 things to do at Buffalo National River. 37 have no extra fee, 37 need no reservation, and 24 allow pets. Each listing links to the full NPS page. Data is from the NPS snapshot of Oct 28, 2026.
Updated · NPS Data API
Hike Shine Eye to Gilbert
Trail is along the bluffs of the river from Hwy 65 to Gilbert.
4 Hours Year-round
Hike the Beaver Jim Villines Homestead Trail
This short interpretive loop begins at the Ponca Access of the Buffalo River near the intersection of Hwy. 43 and 74. Walk across the low-water bridge (when passable) and follow signs up the hill.
15-60 Minutes Year-round Pets allowed
Hike the Buffalo Point Campground Trails
The Buffalo Point Campground Trails give campers, day hikers, and leashed dogs a chance to stretch their legs between the campground and the historic cabin area at Buffalo Point.
1-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Boxley to Pruitt
The Buffalo River Trail (BRT) winds along the bluffs and ridgelines on the south side of the river, traversing the Ponca Wilderness past scenic overlooks, old home sites, and cascading creeks.
Year-round
Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Woolum to Dillards Ferry
A long and difficult hike, the Buffalo River Trail between Woolum and Dillards Ferry stretches a majority of the middle district of Buffalo National River.
24-48 Hours Year-round
Advertisement
Hike the Buffalo River Trail - Woolum to Tyler Bend
The Buffalo River Trail follows along the south side of the river from Woolum to Tyler Bend for a little more than 11 miles.
12 Hours Year-round
Hike the Cecil Cove Loop
This 7-mile loop winds through the wooded valley following Cecil Creek. The trail crosses Cecil Creek 5 times in the first 2 miles, so it may not be passable during rainy season due to high water.
5-8 Hours Year-round
Hike the Indian Rockhouse Trail
A hike on the Indian Rockhouse reveals geologic formations commonly found on a limestone landscape and gives hikers an opportunity to explore locations where ancient peoples sought shelter.
3-5 Hours Year-round
Hike the Lost Valley Trail
The Lost Valley Trail is an easy to moderate hike through a box canyon sculpted by Clark Creek. At 2.4 miles round-trip, this trail features caves, waterfalls, a Native American bluff shelter, and breathtaking groves of American beech trees.
1-3 Hours Year-round
Hike the Old Railroad Trail
The Old Raildroad Trail follows the river east from Gilbert along the former route of the Missouri and North Arkansas Railroad.
3 Hours Year-round
Hike the Rush Mine Level Trail and Morning Star Interpretive Loop
This .25 mile to 1.5 mile trail offers beautiful views of Rush Valley and gives hikers an understanding of the historic, mining, landscape.
1-4 Hours Year-round
Hike to Big Bluff
The Centerpoint Trail is a strenuous hike that traverses the Ponca Wilderness, winding down an old wagon road descending nearly 1,300 ft. to the Buffalo River.
4-6 Hours Year-round
Hike to Hemmed-in Hollow
The picturesque Hemmed-in Hollow Falls cascades nearly 210 feet over rugged Ozark bluffs, making it the highest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians.
4-6 Hours Year-round
Hike to Hideout Hollow
The Hideout Hollow Trail leads to a rock shelter that was once inhabited by a group of World War I draft dodgers called The Slacker Gang.
1-3 Hours Year-round
Hike Tyler Bend Trails
Hikers can plan loops of varying lengths to suit their time and ability.
1-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Boxley to Ponca
The most technical section of Buffalo National River, Boxley to Ponca is recommended only for highly-experienced whitewater paddlers.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Buffalo National River with Your Pet
Paddling with your pet can be an enjoyable activity at Buffalo National River. Here are some trip suggestions along with helpful tips to make your time at the river a safe and pleasant experience. Share the river with your four-legged buddy!
Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Erbie to Ozark
A serene, 5.4-mile stretch of the Buffalo River winds between Erbie and Ozark and offers excellent opportunities for solitude and wildlife watching.
3-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Hasty to Carver
Anglers love the 4-mile trip between Hasty and Carver for its countless fishing holes and perfect smallmouth habitat.
2-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Kyles Landing to Erbie
Downstream from the hustle and bustle of Kyles Landing, one can find solitude among this comparatively quiet, 5.7-mile stretch of river snaking through the Ponca Wilderness.
3-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Ozark to Pruitt
A short but delightful float of about 2.1 miles, Ozark to Pruitt is a fun run with several long pools connected by bouncy riffles.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Ponca to Steel Creek
This short section offers an introduction to the Upper Buffalo’s striking scenery and challenging whitewater. The highlight of the trip is paddling beneath Roark Bluff, one of the most iconic blufflines along the entire Buffalo River.
1-3 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Pruitt to Hasty
The 7 mile float from Pruitt to Hasty is a popular alternative when conditions upriver are too low for paddling. This section flows past geologic curiosities, shaded swimming holes, and cool, dripping springs as the river veers southward in its journey.
3-5 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddle Steel Creek to Kyles Landing
Hands-down the most beloved and popular section of the upper river, the 8-mile section from Steel Creek to Kyles Landing meanders through the heart of the Ponca Wilderness past towering bluffs, hidden side canyons, and relics of early settlement.
4-6 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Baker Ford to Tyler Bend
The Baker Ford to Tyler Bend reach is usually an easy, short paddle.
2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Carver to Mt. Hersey
Unassuming in its beauty and variety, the float from Carver to Mt. Hersey demonstrates the transition from upper to middle river landscapes.
4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Dillards Ferry to Buffalo Point
The float between Dillard's Ferry and Buffalo Point is a short trip for those that have a very limited amount of time. The highlight of the trip is floating by Skull Rock.
1-2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Dillards Ferry to Rush Landing
This 9-mile paddling trip offers some great fishing holes between Buffalo Point and Rush, where the pools get long and the current typically slows in the summer time.
4-6 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Gilbert to South Maumee
This reach is about 12 miles which makes it one of the less crowded sections of the river.
6 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Grinder's Ferry to Gilbert
Either Tyler Bend to Gilbert or Grinder's Ferry to Gilbert can be a pleasant, easy float with plenty of sand/gravel bars to rest and have a picnic. Numerous deep pools provide options for swimming. Weekdays are quiet and peaceful.
2 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Mt. Hersey to Woolum
This reach provides numerous bluffs, shoals and pools along the way.
4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling North Maumee to Spring Creek
This typically quiet and calm piece of river takes you past Maumee Bluff and Schoolhouse Ridge before approaching Spring Creek itself, Spring Creek Bluff, and the Spring Creek access point and primitive campground.
2-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Rush Landing to the White River
This 30-mile paddling trip cuts through the Lower Wilderness Area to the mouth of Buffalo National River. This is a stretch of river that a majority of visitors never see.
2-5 Days Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Spring Creek to Dillards Ferry
This friendly, 4.6-mile paddle is great for folks that want to get a good feel for the river, but don't want to be out all day.
2-4 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Tyler Bend to Grinder's Ferry
Easy, flat water for 1 mile reach of the river.
1 Hour Year-round Pets allowed
Paddling Woolum to Baker Ford
Several bluffs along this reach (Margaret White, Whisenant, Buzzard Roost and Peter Cave) are more than 200 feet high.
5 Hours Year-round Pets allowed
Before you go
Check current alerts and closures, entrance fees and operating hours for Buffalo. Programs and tours can change with the season or be cancelled on short notice — confirm on the NPS page before you plan around one.
Things to do at nearby parks
Advertisement
Sources
- National Park Service Data API — things to do, snapshot of Oct 28, 2026. Descriptions are short excerpts; photos are NPS photos shown from nps.gov with their credit.
- Buffalo National River — things to do on nps.gov