Little Rock: Buffalo River Trail
Traverse massive limestone bluffs and deep, secluded hollows on this 14.3-mile weekend in the Ozark Highlands along the Buffalo National River.
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Trail Facts
- Distance: 23.1
Waypoints
STE001
Location: 36.0402641296387, -93.3406677246094
From Steel Creek Rec. Area (where Buffalo River Trail crosses Steel Creek Rd.), follow white blazes SE into Ponca Wilderness
STE002
Location: 36.037670135498, -93.3330154418945
Continue N above Bee Bluff and curl below Fisher Point where dramatic views open N across river to 500-ft. Big Bluff, Buffalo River’s signature cliff face
STE003
Location: 36.0335502624512, -93.3166198730469
Cross Beech Creek; climb to head of Jackies Big Hollow, deep crease where waterfalls spray down bluff walls after a rain
STE004
Location: 36.0450096130371, -93.3054504394531
R @ Y, staying with white blazes
STE005
Location: 36.0486335754394, -93.2847900390625
Return to Indian Creek (one-tent campsite on L, 100 ft. off-trail). Then head NNE along river and join road
STE006
Location: 36.0541572570801, -93.2820129394531
Trail turns R off road. Enter Bear Creek drainage; switchback to ridgeline
STE007
Location: 36.0501556396484, -93.2736968994141
Cross Kyles Landing Rd., exiting Ponca Wilderness, and ascend above Buzzard Bluff before bouncing in and out of Shop Creek and Rock Bridge Creek
STE008
Location: 36.0544853210449, -93.2551498413086
Cross Camp Orr Rd. (CR 139); begin 200-ft. descent to Dry Creek basin, then climb again to hillside
STE009
Location: 36.0638313293457, -93.244140625
Continue ENE along steep bluffs on singletrack with mossy stone stairs
STE010
Location: 36.0725784301758, -93.2343292236328
Cherry Grove Cemetery on R; see pre-Civil War graves among tall trees
STE011
Location: 36.0715179443359, -93.2230377197266
Reach Parker-Hickman farmstead along Webb Creek (built 1840s); empty house and outbuildings sit in grassy field
STE012
Location: 36.0700988769531, -93.2099761962891
L @ T; go .1 mi. to finish @ Erbie launch site for car pickup.