Buffalo National River

城市概覽

The Buffalo River is one of the few remaining unpolluted, free-flowing rivers in the lower 48 states offering both swift-running and placid stretches. The Buffalo National River encompasses 135 miles of the 150-mile long river. It begins as a trickle in the Boston Mountains 15 miles above the park boundary. Following what is likely an ancient riverbed, the Buffalo cuts its way through massive limestone bluffs traveling eastward through the Ozarks and into the White River. The national river has three designated wilderness areas within its boundaries. Headquarters is in Harrison. The Tyler Bend Visitor Center, the main visitor center for the park, is 31 miles south of Harrison and 11 miles north of Marshall on US Highway 65. The park has two other visitor contact stations: the Pruitt Ranger Station, 5 miles north of Jasper on Arkansas Highway 7, and Buffalo Point Ranger Station, 17 miles south of Yellville on Arkansas Highway 14.

History Many prehistoric and historic cultural sites are located in the park, some dating back more than 10,000 years. These sites range from terrace village sites, to bluff shelters once occupied by Archaic Indians, to cabins built by early settlers. In Boxley valley, Ozark farmers still live in harmony with the land. Other areas, such as the Parker-Hickman Farmstead in Erbie, the Rush Mining District, the 1930s Collier Homestead at Tyler Bend, and the Civilian Conservation Corps structures at Buffalo Point, represent the progression of Buffalo River history. Trails in these areas lead the hiker back in time to an era when the natural and cultural world were one. How did a river surrounded by the progress of civilization escape impoundment, impairment, and change? The Buffalo National River encompasses the diversity of the natural resources that are the Ozarks. This was acknowledged by an U.S. House of Representatives Committee Reports (1972) that explained the basis for the establishment of the Buffalo National River. It stated, "Be

如何抵達

By plane Boone County Regional Airport (HRO IATA) in Harrison is served primarily by general aviation. Other nearby airports, with driving directions and approximate driving time to the Tyler Bend Visitor Center:

Fort Smith Regional Airport (FSM IATA) Interstate 40 east to Russellville, Arkansas 7 north to Dover, Arkansas 27/16/377/74 north to US 65 north; 3 hours 25 minutes Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport (XNA IATA) Arkansas 264 east to Lowell, US 71 south to Springdale, US 412 to east to Harrison, US 65 south; 2 hours 45 minutes Little Rock International Airport (LIT IATA) Interstate 40 west to Conway, US 65 north; 2 hours Springfield/Branson Regional Airport (SGF IATA) (in Missouri) US 65 south; 2 hours 15 minutes

By car Buffalo National River is a long, narrow park that is crossed by three main highways. Using Harrison as a starting point:

To reach the Upper District, travel south on Arkansas 7 or Arkansas 43. To reach the Middle District, travel 31 miles south on US Highway 65. To reach the Lower District, take US Highway 65 for five miles, then take US Highway 62/412 to the east to Yellville, then Arkansas 14 south.

當地交通

The Buffalo National River is 132 miles long and the best way to get around is by boat. (See "Do" below.) You may enter or exit the river at any of 22 river access points. Boat rental providers will also provide transportation to and from the access points.

必看景點

Auto tours The routes below are described in minimal detail. Not all turns and road numbers are listed. Therefore a good map that indicates county roads is recommended to supplement the maps provided below.

Compton and Boxley Valley, Approximately 15 miles, one way, Route: Compton (Highway 43, approximately 15 miles south of Harrison) to Boxley Bridge (approximately two miles south of the Highway 43/21 junction) For adventurous hikers, Compton marks a major trailhead for the Ponca Wilderness. One of the biggest attractions in this wilderness is Hemmed-in-Hollow, the tallest waterfall between the Rocky and Appalachians Mountains. Traveling south on Highway 43, travelers will pass through the community of Ponca, a once thriving mining community. During World War I, the height of the zinc and lead mining operations, miners earned $1.50 per day. At the junction of Highway 43 and 74, a solitary cabin sits as a reminder of days gone by. James Villines, known as "Beaver Jim" for his renowned trapping ability, grew up in this home. The Villines family is one of the oldest families to have lived in Boxley Valley. From the Ponca River Access, a short hike will take you to the home "Beaver Jim" lived with his wife until the early 1930s. "Beaver Jim" died in 1948 and is buried in Beechwood Cemetery beside his wife Sarah. A trail winding through Lost Valley takes visitors to unique geological features including a natural bridge, Cob Cave, Eden Falls, and Eden Falls Cave. Boxley Valley is a historic district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. While the homes and fields of the valley are privately owned, they retain the traditional patterns of the nineteenth century.

Erbie Loop, Approximately 24 miles, mostly gravel roads, Route: Marble Falls (13 miles south of Harrison; may still be called Dogpatch on older maps) to Erbie to Highway 7 and return to Marble Falls. County Road map highly recommended. Marble Falls was once the home of Dogpatch USA, a theme park

體驗活動

Backpacking Buffalo River Trail. From Boxley Valley to Pruitt, the Buffalo River Trail (BRT) winds through scenic overlooks, old homesites, and rugged wild areas that best characterize the park. Hiking is most strenuous between Boxley Valley and Erbie, where steep gradients and switchbacks lead to spectacular views of the river. The terrain gradually gives way to a nicer river corridor and terrain which is more forgiving to hikers. The trail is 37 miles long. Unlike the old river road trail, which follows the river more closely, the BRT does not have river crossings. Also unlike the old river road trail, use on the BRT is limited to hikers only. Trailheads to Buffalo River Trail are located at the south end of Boxley Valley, Ponca Low Water Bridge, Steel Creek, Kyles Landing, Erbie, Ozark, and Pruitt Ranger Station. All trailheads but Ponca Low Water Bridge have overnight parking areas available. The newest addition to the BRT is the 18-mile section from Woolum to Highway 65, near Tyler Bend, then ending up at Gilbert. Trail maps and guides are available for sale through the Eastern National Bookstore, park headquarters and at all visitor contact station locations. (updated May 2022) Ozark Highlands Trail. The 165 mi (266 km) long Ozark Highlands Trail (OHT) extends from Lake Ft. Smith State Park to Richland Valley at Woolum. If you plan on hiking a section of the OHT, which begins or ends at Woolum, realize that both the Richland Creek crossing and the Woolum River crossing can be swift and deep in winter and spring. Because of the inherent danger of these fords