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Buffalo National River

@buffalorivernps

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America's First National River.
Located in northern Arkansas and established by Congress on March 1, 1972.
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Black bears live throughout Buffalo National River, and you may notice signs of their presence before you ever see one. Tracks and scat are reminders that you’re exploring bear country. Help protect yourself and wildlife by following these Bear Aware practices: ➡️Carry bear spray. Keep it readily accessible and know how to use it before heading out. ➡️Keep a clean camp. Properly store food, trash, and scented items. Never leave food or trash unattended and never feed bears. ➡️Stay alert. Watch for bears and signs of bear activity along trails and around campsites. ➡️Never approach a bear. If you see a bear that is not aware of you, enjoy the moment, then move away quietly. Do not run or climb a tree as this may trigger a chase response. ➡️Hike in groups. Make noise and look big if you encounter a bear on a trail. See scat along the trail? Remember you are sharing this landscape with wildlife. Leave it where you find it and stay alert for other signs of bear activity. Being Bear Aware helps keep visitors safe! Learn more about bear safety: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/bears/safety.htm by @buffalorivernps
Buffalo National River wants to give a big thank you to everyone who came out for National Public Lands Day on September 26! We really appreciate all your hard work this time of year and your stewardship for the Buffalo does not go unnoticed. To each volunteer who showed up and pitched in on the Lost Valley Trail, and to Buffalo National River Partners for all of the hard work and support, thank you! Our public lands are better because of people like you. Photo Credit: NPS by @buffalorivernps
Buffalo National River had the pleasure of hosting the Valley Springs 9th graders last week in a campground cleanup at Ozark! The students learned the 7 principles of Leave No Trace, picked up litter along the gravel bar, campground, and nearby trails, and got to enjoy spending some time outside in this beautiful fall weather. We appreciate Buffalo National River Partners for organizing this cleanup and all they do to get young folks outside. Thank you, Valley Springs, for your stewardship and we look forward to next time! by @buffalorivernps
Buffalo National River invites visitors to take advantage of cooler fall temperatures and explore the park’s many hiking trails surrounding the river. The park’s Preventative Search and Rescue Team will be stationed at select trailheads throughout the fall to share information about where to go, what to bring, and how to stay safe while exploring the park. “Buffalo National River offers recreational opportunities for everyone,” said Superintendent Angela Boyers. “We want to help visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience in the park. Our volunteer Preventative Search and Rescue Team is dedicated to making sure visitors are prepared for their adventures on foot and on the water.” Before visiting the park, be sure to plan ahead by following these tips: 👉Tell someone where you are going. Leave a detailed itinerary and map of the area with somebody at home who can report you overdue if necessary. 👉Know your limits and prepare. Search and rescue missions often result from visitors who get in over their head and become overwhelmed by trip duration, difficulty, or environmental conditions (air and water temperatures). 👉Check the weather forecast. Give yourself enough daylight for day trips. If the weather forecast looks questionable, consider postponing your trip. If you decide to proceed with your trip, be prepared for adverse weather conditions. 👉Check the river gauges. Thunderstorm events can cause rapid short-term changes that need to be taken seriously. Awareness of potential storms will help you make a decision about whether to go or not to go, or at least how far away from the river to set up camp and pull your boats. 👉Stay on designated trails. Carry a topographic map of the park and know how to read it. There are many bluff lines that offer stunning views of the park, but do not get close to the edge. 👉Leave No Trace. There are special considerations to make when traveling in the park's backcountry. Please visit the park's Leave No Trace page to learn more about Buffalo National River's Leave No Trace efforts. by @buffalorivernps
Buffalo National River will be accepting Commercial Use Authorization (CUA) applications for Boat Tours - Motorized (formally known as Guided Fishing/Sightseeing via Johnboat or Drift Boat) for the 2027 - 2028 calendar years. Applications will be accepted between October 1, 2026, and November 15, 2026, through the CUA online system. If you are interested in applying, please visit the CUA online system at https://cua.nps.gov/. For more information on CUAs, please visit our Park website at nps.gov/buff. All approved CUAs will be valid for two years from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2028. For questions, please reach out to the Commercial Services Office by emailing BUFF_Concessions@nps.gov. by @buffalorivernps
Boxley Mill will be open for guided tours this fall! Come join rangers and volunteers in beautiful Boxley Valley and step inside the first floor of the park’s historic grist mill. Learn about the mill’s history, the people who lived and worked in the valley, and the important role this historic structure played in the community. Every Saturday & Sunday in October 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Gather your family and friends, enjoy a beautiful fall day in Boxley Valley, and come discover a piece of Buffalo National River’s history! We’ll see you at the mill! Visit our website to learn more. by @buffalorivernps
💸Your camping fees at work! There’s a new way to get down to the river at Kyles Landing! Park staff recently completed a new stairway project, making the trip safer, easier, and more enjoyable for visitors. It’s a big improvement over the washed-out gravel path that previously existed. Your camping fees help make projects like this possible—supporting the protection of Buffalo National River’s natural and cultural resources while improving the visitor experience. Next time you visit Kyles Landing, take a stroll down the new stairs and check out your fees at work! by @buffalorivernps
A big thank you to our incredible partner group, Buffalo National River Partners (BNRP), for hosting their annual stiltgrass pull event! Buffalo National River is so grateful to everyone who volunteered their time and energy to help get a handle on this invasive species, as well as to BNRP for the continuous work they do at Lost Valley. Their dedication makes a real difference in keeping this place special for years to come! Thank you, BNRP and volunteers for helping our river thrive. To learn more about BNRP and the work that they do please visit the link below. https://bnrpartners.org/ by @buffalorivernps
Tyler Bend Pavilion Update: Water and restroom amenities have been restored to the Tyler Bend Pavilion. The pavilion is ready to welcome visitors once again! Reservations for the pavilion can be made up to one year in advance for up to 150 people. To learn more about the Tyler Bend Pavilion or to make a reservation, please visit our website. by @buffalorivernps
The National Park Service will accept public bid applications September 15 through October 15, 2026, for twenty-four Agricultural Special Use Permits for haying of specific designated fields located within Buffalo National River in portions of Newton and Searcy Counties. Through the permit program, Buffalo National River maintains hay fields that visually preserve the unique agricultural history of the area and continue providing important habitat for game animals, such as elk and deer, and non-game animals, such as ground nesting birds and small mammals. The permit bid package includes details about each permit and associated fields, including maps, approximate acreages, bid instructions, and a sample permit with conditions. To request a copy, call or email Buffalo National River’s office at 870-365-2724 or buff_concessions@nps.gov. Each permit will have a term of five years. The park’s hay field management strategy and permit conditions have been developed to be consistent with collaborative conservation efforts throughout the Buffalo River watershed and follow guidelines from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. The permit requirements include: Fertilizer and lime shall be applied at the rates recommended for individual fields by the University of Arkansas Extension Service’s soil sample reports. Hay shall not be transported outside of the Arkansas chronic wasting disease zone. Spill trays will be required to be placed under tractor motors, if tractors are left in fields. Agricultural Special Use Permit applications must be received by mail no later than 4 p.m. on October 15, 2026. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of subject matter experts shortly after bidding closes, and each applicant will be notified of the status of their submission. by @buffalorivernps
Looking for a way to learn more about the nature and history of the park? Look no further than the Upper District this September! The park will be offering guided tours exploring the history of the Valley Y Ranch, known as present-day Steel Creek. Or if you’re interested in learning more about the natural resources of Lost Valley, join a ranger for a guided hike through the fascinating natural and geologic wonders of this valley. Come explore, learn, and discover the stories and natural resources that make the park special! To learn more about park programs, click on the link below. https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/calendar.htm Friday, September 11 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Valley Y Walk Monday, September 14 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Lost Valley Hike Friday, September 18 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Valley Y Walk Monday, September 21 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Lost Valley Hike Friday, September 25 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Valley Y Walk Monday, September 28 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Lost Valley Hike by @buffalorivernps
The Steel Creek Ranger Station will be OPEN over the holiday weekend! The station hours are 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday-Sunday. Stop by and get information, directions, borrow a life jacket or just say hello! And be on the lookout for Ranger Programs coming in September! by @buffalorivernps

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