Buffalo National River

Usual hours

• Mon–Sun 0:00–0:00

From 56 published days, 2026-10-24 to 2026-12-18; community-mapped.

About

This park's official page lists: Pet-friendly (leashed).

Entrance / day-use fee applies.

This park's official page lists: Store / concessions.

At the park

• Camping activity
• Hunting activity
• Wildlife & bird watching scenic feature
• Hiking trails trail
• Fishing water
• Paddling (kayak/canoe) water

Shows and experiences

• Junior Ranger program

Events

• Whittling Demonstration
• Valley Y Walk at Steel Creek
• Lost in Time
• Boxley Mill Tours

Before you go

Limits

Bicycles are not permitted on any park trails and pets are permitted on only two trails in the park

Getting there

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.

Weather & when to go

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.

Park alert: Reservations Only at Buffalo Point - Starting March 15, 2027

Starting March 15, 2027, reservations will be required for all campsites at Buffalo Point Campground, including A & E Loops. Reservations must be made through Recreation.gov (www.recreation.gov) or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations can be made the same day or up to six months in advance. Please note that cell phone service is unreliable in these areas, so it is strongly recommended to make your reservation before arriving at the campground.

⚠ Park closure: South Woolum Road Closed, Alternate Route Available

In the interest of safety, the South Woolum Road has been closed. The Woolum launch and campground remain open.

Visitor center

Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station — The Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station is a ranger station where visitors can receive information about the area and shop at a small bookstore. — Using Harrison, Arkansas as a starting point to reach the Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station, visitors take Highway 65 south from Harrison for five miles, then take Highway 62/412 to the east to Yellville. Once in Yellville take Highway 14 south. Approximately 14 miles south of Yellville on Highway 14 there will be a left turn onto Highway 268 East. The Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station is…

Visitor center

Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station

Visitor center

Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station

Visitor center

Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station

Visitor center

Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station

Visitor center

Eden Falls - Lost Valley Trail

Visitor center

Eden Falls Cave - Lost Valley Trail

Visitor center

Natural Bridge - Lost Valley Trail

Visitor center

Steel Creek Ranger Station

Visitor center

Steel Creek Ranger Station

Visitor center

Steel Creek Ranger Station

Visitor center

Steel Creek Ranger Station

Facilities on the park map

6 bench, 1 first aid kit, 8 picnic area, 17 restroom, 18 visitor information, 5 water fountain.

Where to stay

• Woolum Woolum Campground is a large open field at the Woolum access to the Buffalo River near St. Joe, Arkansas. There are no amenities at Woolum. There are no designated sites. A vault toilet is available. Fees are not charged at Woolum. · Accessibility: Woolum Campground does not any have ADA compliant sites.
• Carver Campground Carver Campground has 8 tent-only sites. There are no electrical amenities, but flush restrooms and water are available from approximately March 15 through November 14. Water and a vault restroom is available. All sites are available for reservation at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations can be made same day and up to 6 months in advance. · 8 campsites · Accessibility: None of the sites at Carver are ADA compliant.
• Tyler Bend Campground Tyler Bend Campground is a developed campground in the middle district of the park. It has 27 drive-in sites, 10 walk-in tent sites, 5 group sites, and a pavilion. The campground has flush restrooms, showers, dump station, potable water, but no electrical amenities. Reservations are required through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Fees are charged from approximately March 15 through Nov · 42 campsites · Accessibility: No sites are legal ADA sites. Some have picnic tables that allow wheelchair access.
• Ozark Campground Ozark Campground has 31 drive-in and tent sites with no electrical amenities, but flush restrooms and water are available from approximately March 15 through November 14. All sites are available for reservation at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations can be made same day and up to 6 months in advance between March 13 and November 15, 2026. · 32 campsites · Accessibility: Ozark Campground does not have any ADA compliant campsites. The restroom facilities are ADA compliant.
• South Maumee South Maumee Campground is a campground in the lower district of the Buffalo River. There are no amenities at South Maumee. There are no designated sites. A vault restroom is available. Fees are not charged at Maumee South. · Accessibility: Maumee South Campground does not any have ADA compliant sites.
• Erbie Campground Erbie Campground has 13 primitive drive-in camp sites (suitable for tents too), 13 walk-in tent-only sites, and 5 group sites. There are no sewer, electrical amenities, or water hookups in the campground. Flush restrooms and water spigots are available from approximately March 15 through November 14. Reservations for individual sites is same day to 6 months in advance. Reservations for group sites · 31 campsites · Accessibility: Erbie Campground does not have any ADA compliant campsites. The restroom facilities are ADA compliant.
• Spring Creek Campground Spring Creek Campground is a first come, first serve campground near Harriet, Arkansas. Spring Creek has 12 tent only sites with no electrical amenities, no flush restrooms, and no water. · 12 campsites · Accessibility: Spring Creek Campground does not have any ADA compliant campsites. The restroom facilities are ADA compliant.
• Buffalo Point Campground Buffalo Point Campground is the park's largest and most developed campground. It offers water and electrical hookups for RVs. Some sites at Buffalo Point are available for reservation at www.recreation.gov (1-877-444-6777) and others are first-come, first-serve. Flush restrooms, dump station, showers, water, and electricity are available from approximately March 15 - November 14 when fees are char · 106 campsites · Accessibility: Sites D55 is considered ADA compliant. This site is first-come, first-served. Please call the Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station at 870-449-4311 for details.
• Rush Campground Rush Campground has 12 tent only sites with no electrical amenities and no flush restrooms. Reservations are required to camp at Rush Campground through recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Drinking water is available when fees are collected from approximately March 15 - November 14. It is free to camp at Rush in the winter. All sites are limited to 6 people per site, and each site is $16 pe · 12 campsites · Accessibility: Rush Campground does not have any ADA compliant campsites. The restroom facilities are ADA compliant.
• Kyles Landing Kyles Landing Campground has 33 tent-only sites with no electrical amenities, but flush restrooms and water are available from approximately March 15 through November 14. All sites are available for reservation at recreation.gov or by calling 877-444-6777. Reservations can be made same day and up to 6 months in advance between approximately March 15 and November 14 every year. Please note: RVs, ca · 33 campsites · Accessibility: Kyles Landing Campground does not have any ADA compliant campsites. The restroom facilities are ADA compliant.
• Steel Creek Campground Steel Creek Campground has 26 tent-only sites and 13 sites for campers with horses/stock animals (six people and six stock animals allowed per site). There are no electrical amenities, but flush restrooms and water are available from approximately March 15 through November 14. All sites are available for reservation at recreation.gov or by calling 1-877-444-6777. Reservations can be made same day · 39 campsites · Accessibility: Steel Creek Campground does not have any ADA compliant campsites. The restroom facilities are ADA compliant.

History

Heritage status

Listed heritage / protected status