{"id":"nps-buff","slug":"buffalo-national-river","name":"Buffalo National River","designation":"National River","category":"river","categoryLabel":"Wild, Scenic and National River","agency":{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov"},"managedBy":[{"code":"NPS","name":"National Park Service","department":"U.S. Department of the Interior","url":"https://www.nps.gov","unitCode":"BUFF","designation":"National River","sourceId":"nps-buff"}],"states":["AR"],"stateNames":["Arkansas"],"location":{"lat":36.04116481,"lon":-92.90761584},"bbox":[-93.4356,35.9086,-92.4006,36.1712],"acres":{"value":93712,"kind":"gis-estimate","source":"Computed from the simplified boundary","note":"Approximate. The managing agency publishes official acreage."},"firstProtected":null,"established":null,"administrations":[],"designationHistory":[],"summary":"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.","summarySource":"National Park Service","guide":{},"trConnection":null,"trConnections":[],"trTypes":[],"links":{"official":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/index.htm","social":{},"recreationGov":null,"alltrails":null,"alltrailsExplore":"https://www.alltrails.com/explore?b_tl_lat=36.1712&b_tl_lng=-93.4356&b_br_lat=35.9086&b_br_lng=-92.4006","recreationGovSearch":"https://www.recreation.gov/search?q=Buffalo%20National%20River","directions":"http://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/directions.htm"},"images":[{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7AAA8F-1DD8-B71B-0B030B40F222703A.jpg","title":"Indian Rockhouse","alt":"A large bluff shelter near Buffalo Point.","caption":"Every year thousands of people hike to the Indian Rockhouse to admire this large bluff shelter.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7AAF4E-1DD8-B71B-0B9952E34C998383.jpg","title":"Skull Rock","alt":"Kayakers floating towards Skull Rock near Buffalo Point.","caption":"A peaceful day on the Buffalo River as kayakers approach Skull Rock and Buffalo Point.","credit":"NPS Photo/Ryan Stokes","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D6A90-1DD8-B71B-0BD085428D039686.jpg","title":"Steel Creek Campground","alt":"Camping at Steel Creek","caption":"Camping along the Buffalo River is a wonderful way to enjoy the park.","credit":"NPS Photo/Terra Fondriest","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D6BE9-1DD8-B71B-0BE7024117A6287B.jpg","title":"Floating the Buffalo","alt":"Floaters on the river.","caption":"Canoeing and kayaking the river is a wonderful way to spend a day at the Buffalo.","credit":"NPS Photo/Terra Fondriest","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D6D7F-1DD8-B71B-0BF797192FC50639.jpg","title":"Sod Collier Homestead","alt":"Historic homestead built by the Collier Family.","caption":"Many historic structures are scattered along the Buffalo River reminding us of the hardworking settlers that once called this river valley home.","credit":"NPS Photo","source":"NPS"},{"url":"https://www.nps.gov/common/uploads/structured_data/3C7D6F2B-1DD8-B71B-0B2457BFA7A9D318.jpg","title":"Smallmouth Bass Fishing","alt":"Fisherman with smallmouth bass.","caption":"Fishing for smallmouth bass is a popular activity on the Buffalo River.","credit":"NPS Photo/Ryan Stokes","source":"NPS"}],"activities":["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"],"topics":["Archeology","Animals","Birds","Elk","Caves, Caverns and Karst","Fire","Forests and Woodlands","Geology","River and Riparian","Watersheds"],"fees":[],"passes":[],"hours":[{"name":"Buffalo National River","description":"Buffalo National River is 135 miles long. The park is open 24 hours.","standardHours":{"wednesday":"All Day","monday":"All Day","thursday":"All Day","sunday":"All Day","tuesday":"All Day","friday":"All Day","saturday":"All Day"},"exceptions":[]}],"directions":"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.","weatherInfo":"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.","contacts":{"phone":"8704392502","email":"buff_information@nps.gov"},"visitorCenters":[{"name":"Tyler Bend Visitor Center","description":"The Tyler Bend Visitor Center is located about 2 1/2 miles off of Highway 65 between St. Joe and Marshall, Arkansas. Here visitors can get park orientation information, stamp passport books, see the park film, and shop at the park bookstore.","url":"","lat":35.986547225,"lon":-92.7634170379},{"name":"Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station","description":"The Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station is located about 3 miles off of Highway 14, 14 miles south of Yellville. Signs on Highway 14 indicate the turn for Buffalo Point.","url":"","lat":36.0787703988,"lon":-92.5738843833},{"name":"Steel Creek Ranger Station","description":"Steel Creek Ranger Station is open in the summer on an intermittent basis as rangers are available. The Steel Creek Ranger Station is located in the Valley Y Ranch Historic Area of Steel Creek Campground. Please call before you visit to ensure that staff will be available to assist you: 870-861-2570.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/hours.htm","lat":36.0385239433,"lon":-93.3383237801}],"campgrounds":[{"name":"Erbie Campground","description":"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 only can be made same day to one year in advance through recreation.gov.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10341416","sites":31},{"name":"Steel Creek Campground","description":"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 and up to 6 months in advance.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10001451","sites":39},{"name":"Spring Creek Campground","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm","reservationUrl":null,"sites":12},{"name":"Rush Campground","description":"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 per night.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/poi/258696","sites":12},{"name":"South Maumee","description":"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.","url":"","reservationUrl":null,"sites":0},{"name":"Tyler Bend Campground","description":"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 November 14. It is free to camp over the winter, but amenities are limited during that time.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/tyler-bend-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233119","sites":42},{"name":"Woolum","description":"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.","url":"","reservationUrl":null,"sites":0},{"name":"Buffalo Point Campground","description":"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 charged. Fees are not charged from approximately November 15 to March 14 when only B Loop is open with no amenities.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/buffalo-point-campground.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/234043","sites":106},{"name":"Carver Campground","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/poi/258698","sites":8},{"name":"Kyles Landing","description":"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, camping trailers, motorhomes, and popup campers are prohibited. The road to access Kyles is a steep gravel road.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10391706","sites":33},{"name":"Ozark Campground","description":"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.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/camping.htm","reservationUrl":"https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10001451","sites":32}],"thingsToDo":[],"nearby":[{"slug":"haw-creek-national-game-refuge","km":52},{"slug":"moccasin-national-game-refuge","km":52},{"slug":"barkshead-national-game-refuge","km":55},{"slug":"ozark-national-forest","km":57},{"slug":"livingston-national-game-refuge","km":66},{"slug":"black-mountain-national-game-refuge","km":99}],"hasBoundary":true,"boundarySource":{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division","url":"https://irma.nps.gov/DataStore/Reference/Profile/2224545"},"sources":[{"name":"NPS Data API","url":"https://developer.nps.gov/api/v1/parks?parkCode=buff"},{"name":"NPS Land Resources Division boundaries","url":"https://services1.arcgis.com/fBc8EJBxQRMcHlei/arcgis/rest/services/NPS_Land_Resources_Division_Boundary_and_Tract_Data_Service/FeatureServer/2"}],"editorialStatus":"draft","synced":"2026-11-09T02:12:45.608Z","alerts":[{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Campground Amenities Unavailable November 16, 2026 through March 14, 2027","text":"All campground amenities (water, electricity, & flush restrooms) at Steel Creek, Kyles Landing, Erbie, Ozark, and Rush will be turned off starting November 16. Camping fees will not be charged over the winter. The flush restrooms at Tyler Bend (Drive-in Loop) and Buffalo Point (B Loop) will remain open. You may still primitively camp in all park campgrounds over the winter, first-come, first-served, but be aware only vault restrooms are open at all other campgrounds.","url":null,"updated":"2026-10-28 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-391D552B-74A6-4DFC-84D4-692030AA2E4D"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Information","title":"Reservations Only at Buffalo Point - Starting March 15, 2027","text":"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.","url":null,"updated":"2026-09-08 00:00:00.0","id":"nps-0EFBFB80-7DF1-4E01-9C4A-5AB34F67FC77"},{"source":"NPS","kind":"Park Closure","title":"South Woolum Road Closed, Alternate Route Available","text":"In the interest of safety, the South Woolum Road has been closed. The Woolum launch and campground remain open.","url":"https://www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/south-woolum-road-closed-alternate-route-available.htm","updated":"2024-02-23 12:47:47.0","id":"nps-123E2192-4095-4B79-9752-D7408F4D6B4D"}],"url":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/sites/buffalo-national-river/","boundaryUrl":"https://directory.labs.trlibrary.com/boundaries/buffalo-national-river.geojson"}