Buffalo River National Park
Arkansas Scenic Byways

Spring storm swollen Buffalo River near Tyler Bend

The Buffalo River was the nations first designated National Scenic and Wild River (1972) and is nestled in the Arkansas Ozarks and the Ozarks National Forest. From its source in the uplands of Boxley Valley to its junction with the White River, it flows freely, without obstruction, for 150 miles through an exceptionally scenic and undeveloped landscape. Due to its scenic beauty and uninterupted flow, it is a favorite float river for canoe and kayak enthusiasts. The river also bisects several scenic highways in the Ozarks, including Scenic Highway 7, State Highway 123, and Highway 14 running from Mountain View to Yellville.

The park has 13 drive in campground-recreation areas spaced along the river, most with excellent networks of hiking trails offering panoramic views from towering bluffs, waterfalls, streams, caves, wildflowers and walks through cool hardwood forests. Several hiking trails lead to preserved pioneer settlements and historic structures, some as old as 1840. Tyler Bend and Buffalo Point are the two most popular destination camping-recreation areas in the Buffalo National Park. Both are modern facilities with showers, paved and level parking areas suitable for RVs, and equiped with dump stations. Most sites at Buffalo Point also offer electrical hookups. Site spacing is generous and suitable for either tent or RV camping.

Tyler Bend Recreation Area

An overlook on the River View hiking trail at Tyler Bend. The Buffalo is usually clear with a turquoise tint but this day it was running brown as recent storms had it running 7 feet higher than flood stage . . . washing mega-tons of sand and silt into the river.

Calf Creek joins the Buffalo (upper left) but it is so storm swollen it looks more like a river. > > >

< < < Two weeks prior to this time, the Tyler Bend Pavilion in the center of this picture was two-thirds under water when a 10 inch rain storm caused the river to crest at 39 feet . . . 27 feet over the normal flood stage of 12 feet.

The "No Parking - Loading Zone" sign at the canoe landing seems unnecessary with the river access loop under about 10 feet of water! > > >

Tyler Bend has 28 drive-in campsites, 10 walk-in sites and 5 group sites.

Campground Map > > >

Tyler Bend has 5 hiking trails, rated from easy to moderate difficulty.

The Tyler Bend Visitor Center has a spacious deck overlooking the river valley.

Inside are exhibits on the human and natural history of the area, a multi-media theatre, park guides and maps, and helpful park rangers. > > >

< < < Dogwood blooms along the road to the Visitor Center.

Sod and Ida Mae Collier established a 40 acre homestead farm in 1928 raising hogs and cattle, planting corn, oats, sugar cane, apples, peaches and other garden produce were grown. Hunting and fishing supplemented their diet.

Jo inspects the front porch. The cistern (right) was their water source. The Colliers lived this simple farm life, with no electricity or indoor plumbing until 1961.

The fireplace in the living area was the main source of heat, supplemented by a wood stove in the kitchen.

Go Here for info on Buffalo Point Campground & Recreation Area - Buffalo River National Park

Ozarks & Buffalo River Travel & Visitor Links

	Ozarks National Forest
	Buffalo National River & Park Website
	Jasper/Newton County Visitors Bureau
	Harrison Arkansas Convention & Visitors Bureau
	Mountain View, Arkansas Chamber Website