Little Rock: Buffalo River Trail

This moderate 13.7-mile one-way hike hugs America's first designated National River as it winds past limestone bluffs and grassy Ozark hollows.

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Trail Facts

  • Distance: 22.1

Waypoints

BRT001

Location: 35.9454574584961, -93.3987579345703

Head N across AR 21 after exploring old cabin near trailhead. Follow white-blazed trail .4 mi. through pasture before turning N.

BRT002

Location: 35.9623374938965, -93.3991317749024

R onto Walker Mountain Rd.

BRT003

Location: 35.9633903503418, -93.3894119262695

L off road; trail reenters woods and heads downhill

BRT004

Location: 35.966869354248, -93.3832015991211

Cross Arrington Creek; backcountry campsite in wooded hollow

BRT005

Location: 35.9823722839356, -93.38916015625

Trail crosses babbling brook

BRT006

Location: 35.9989738464356, -93.3639297485352

Cross Running Creek; if lucky, catch sight of elk at riverbank, drinking water

BRT007

Location: 36.0062980651856, -93.3503265380859

Rivers and creeks slowly carved this ancient limestone plateau into rolling mountains and deep gullies, such as Big Hollow to the NW

BRT008

Location: 36.0215301513672, -93.3543701171875

Continue N under AR 74 bridge. Old log cabin across river was boyhood home of “Beaver Jim” Villines (b. 1854), go-to local legend with renowned trapping skills and a yummy sorghum syrup recipe

BRT009

Location: 36.0385246276856, -93.3459777832031

Trail skirts E side of campground

BRT010

Location: 36.0381546020508, -93.3362197875976

Steel Creek Landing: Shuttle back to trailhead, or retrace steps to trailhead.

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