Buffalo
National River

Offering both swift-running and placid stretches, the Buffalo River is one of the few remaining unpolluted, free-flowing rivers in the lower 48 states. Totaling approximately 95,700 acres, 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 east through the Ozarks and into the White River.

The national river has three designated wilderness areas within its boundaries.

Headquarters is located in Harrison, Arkansas, providing administrative services to the national river. The Tyler Bend Visitor Center, the main visitor center for the park, is located eleven miles north of Marshall, Arkansas. The park has two other visitor contact stations; the Pruitt Ranger Station, located five miles north of Jasper, Arkansas on Highway 7, and Buffalo Point Ranger Station, located 17 miles south of Yellville, Arkansas, on Highway 14.

VISITATION:

Visitation is highest in the Upper District March through May due to ample water conditions for floating in the spring. The Middle and Lower Districts experience their highest visitation in June. The whole park experiences the least visitation in January.

 

LOCATION:

Northwest Arkansas. Headquarters in Harrison, Arkansas.

 

ADDRESS:

Buffalo National River
402 N. Walnut, Suite 136
Harrrison, AR 72601

 

TELEPHONE:

(870) 741-5443

 

OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:

Park headquarters is open 8:00 a.m to 4:30 p.m., Monday - Friday. Pruitt Ranger Station is open on a limited basis in the spring and fall, with regular hours of business Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Tyler Bend Visitor Center is open daily May to September, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It is open the remainder of the year on a reduced schedule as staffing permits. Buffalo Point has two information stations. The Upper Ranger Station is open year-round. The campground station is open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Stations are open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:

The winter months of December, January and February are the coldest with an average three and two-tenths inches of precipitation. It can snow in this area. Dress with warm layers. If canoeing during these months, a wet suit or other cold water protection is recommended. The months of March, April, and May are warmer and ususally are the rainiest time of year, so rain gear is suggested. The months of June, July and August bring hot and humid conditions. Dress in shorts and light clothing. Wear lots of sunblock and a protective covering for the head. Fall brings more seasonable weather.

 

DIRECTIONS:

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, visitors travel south from Harrison on Highway 7, or Highway 43; To reach the Middle District, visitors travel 31 miles south of Harrison on Highway 65; To reach the Lower District, visitors take Highway 65 South from Harrison for five miles, then take Highway 62/412 to the east to Yellville, and Highway 14 south.

 

TRANSPORTATION:

To Park: Visitors can use their vehicle or R.V. Also, they can fly into one of the various airports that would be easily accessible to the park, and rent a car. There are airports in Harrison, AR, Springfield, MO, Fayetteville, AR and Little Rock, AR.

In Park: no public transportation in the park.

 

FEES, COSTS, RATES:

The park does not charge admission fees. The park's two modern campgrounds charge a fee for camping April through October. The remaining twelve campgrounds are free of charge. The canoe concessioners and the cabin rental concessioners also charge a fee.

 

FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:

Visitor Center/Exhibits:

Contact Stations are located in each district. The Upper District visitor information station is located five miles north of Jasper, AR, on Highway 7, south. The main park visitor center is located in the Middle District, at Tyler Bend, located eleven miles north of Marshall, AR, on Highway 65. The Lower District Visitor information stations are located 17 miles south of Yellville, AR, on Highway 14/268.

 

Trails, Roads:

There are over 100 miles of maintained trails in the park. Several trails are open both to horse and hiking use. For information on these trails, call park headquarters, or the district offices.

 

Programs/Activities:

Regularly scheduled guided hikes, float trips and evening programs are offered by rangers, Memorial Day through Labor Day.

 

Lodging and camping facilities:

The Lower District offers the only lodging facilities inside the park. The Buffalo Point Concession has five rustic and eight modern cabins. For information and reservation policy, contact Buffalo Point Concession, Buffalo National River, HCR 66, Box 388, Yellville, AR, or (870) 449-6206.

 

Food/supplies:

Available in surrounding park communities.

 

Other Concessions/NPS managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:

A book outlet operated through Eastern National Association is located in each of the visitor contact areas and at park headquarters.

 

Accessibility:

The most accessible area is Tyler Bend. Visitors can obtain more information on park accessibility by calling Park Headquarters.

 

Special Needs:

We have visitor parking at each visitor center/contact station. Buffalo National River offers camping facilities for horse riders in each district. In the Upper District, horse camps are located at Steel Creek and Erbie, and the Middle District offers a horse camping area at Woolum. The Lower Wilderness area offers primitive camping at Big Creek and Hathaway Gap trailheads.

 

RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:

Reservations are accepted at group sites and pavilions at Tyler Bend and Buffalo Point. We require a permit for large groups, such as; horse riding clubs, group meetings, and weddings. A permit is required for commercial filming inside the National Park.

 

BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:

The visitor should allow about an hour to go through the main park visitor center. River trips can be up to 130 miles in length. Most visitors choose to float eight miles or less.

 

ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:

Located nearby are Branson, MO., offering country music shows, Blanchard Springs Caverns and the Ozark folk Center, near Mountain View, AR, and Eureka Springs, AR., a historical town with turn of the century buildings.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Write Buffalo National River, 402 N. Walnut, Suite 136, Harrison, AR 72601 or call (870) 741-5443.

Last Modified: May 28, 1998
URL: www.nps.gov/buff/index.htm