🏕️National Park Data
A large bluff shelter near Buffalo Point.
Kayakers floating towards Skull Rock near Buffalo Point.
Camping at Steel Creek
Floaters on the river.
Historic homestead built by the Collier Family.
Fisherman with smallmouth bass.
National River

Buffalo National River

Arkansas

💰
Entrance Fee
Free
🕐
Hours
All Day
📍
Location
St. Joe, AR
📞
Visitor Center
8704392502

Established in 1972, Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. Once you arrive, prepare to journey from running rapids to quiet pools while surrounded by massive bluffs as you cruise through the Ozark Mountains down to the White River.

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About Buffalo National River

Buffalo National River is a national river located in Arkansas. Summer in the Ozarks can be very hot and humid. Please check the weather forecast prior to your arrival and plan accordingly. The weather the rest of the year has the potential to be wet and cool or dry and warm. Please pay special attention to river levels and the rain forecast when planning a trip on the river. River levels can rise dramatically in a short period of time so please be aware of conditions.

Buffalo National River is a long, narrow park that is crossed by three main highways. Highways 7, 43, and 62/65 are the main roads out of Harrison, Arkansas that will take you to the Buffalo River, depending on which part of the park you wish to visit. GPS systems are not reliable in this area so please call ahead for directions or pick up a map of the area beforehand.

💰 Entrance Fees & Passes

Entry to Buffalo is completely free. There are no general entrance fees or vehicle passes required to access this park unit.

🥾 Things to Do

Buffalo National River offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Camping, Backcountry Camping, Caving, Fishing, and 23 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.

✅ Camping
✅ Backcountry Camping
✅ Caving
✅ Fishing
✅ Freshwater Fishing
✅ Food
✅ Dining
✅ Picnicking
✅ Guided Tours
✅ Hiking
✅ Backcountry Hiking
✅ Off-Trail Permitted Hiking
✅ Horse Trekking
✅ Horse Camping (see also camping)
✅ Horseback Riding
✅ Hunting and Gathering
✅ Paddling
✅ Canoeing
✅ Canoe or Kayak Camping
✅ Kayaking
✅ Junior Ranger Program
✅ Swimming
✅ Freshwater Swimming
✅ Wildlife Watching
✅ Park Film
✅ Shopping
✅ Bookstore and Park Store

📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist

Custom items selected for activities at Buffalo

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🎒 Trail Essentials

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🥾 Activity-Specific Gear

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🧥 Apparel & Layers

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💡 Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Buffalo

  • →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Buffalo before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
  • →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 4 active alerts for Buffalo. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
  • →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Buffalo get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
  • →Pack Map Backups: Cell coverage is notoriously spotty or non-existent in remote sections of Buffalo. Download offline maps (such as on AllTrails or Google Maps) and carry a physical compass and paper map.
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Established in 1972, Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. Once you arrive, prepare to journey from running rapids to quiet pools while surrounded by massive bluffs as you cruise through the Ozark Mountains down to the White River.

Frequently Asked Questions about Buffalo

The entrance fee for Buffalo National River is Free per vehicle. The America the Beautiful annual pass ($80) covers entrance to all 474+ NPS sites and pays for itself after just 2-3 park visits.

About the Author

🧗

James R. Mitchell

Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data

James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.

🏔️ 63 Parks Visited✍️ 12 Years Writing🧭 Wilderness GuideFull Bio →
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