Buffalo National River
Buffalo National River is in northern Arkansas and was the first national river designated in the United States. It runs for 153 miles (246 km), with the lower 135 miles inside a National Park Service area called the Buffalo National River.
The river flows from west to east through Newton, Searcy, Marion, and Baxter Counties. It begins in the Boston Mountains of the Ozarks, flows past the historic community of Erbie, and eventually meets the White River after crossing the Salem Plateau. The upper part of the river, in the Ozark National Forest, is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and has National Scenic River and National Wild River designations.
The Buffalo National River was established by Congress on March 1, 1972 to stop dam projects and to protect the river’s natural character and habitats. In 1975, three segments totaling about 11,978 acres were designated as the Buffalo National River Wilderness.
The park is home to Arkansas’s only elk herd. The upper river features dramatic karst landscapes with caves, springs, and tall bluffs, and it supports more than 300 species of fish, insects, freshwater mussels, and aquatic plants. Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls is a 209-foot waterfall reached by a 0.65-mile hike from the river.
Advanced canoeists and kayakers may explore a 15-mile section upriver from Boxley, sometimes called the Hailstone River, which is very challenging and should be attempted only when water is high.
Recreation is popular at Buffalo National River, including camping, hiking, canoeing, and fishing. Visitors can bring their own canoes or rent from local concessioners. Camping is allowed in most areas, with exceptions for Hemmed-in-Hollow, Big Bluff, historic structures, private property within the park, or within 100 feet of any trail or watercourse. There are developed campgrounds along the river.
The National Park Service headquarters for the Buffalo National River is in Harrison, Arkansas.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 03:50 (CET).