Arkansas is home to many firsts — the first Walmart, in Rogers, and the first national park, in Hot Springs. (Technically the "Spa City" was the first federal reservation, but it predates Yellowstone National Park by 40 years.)
Arkansas is also home to the first public diamond mine, in Murfreesboro, and the first river to be designated a national river, the Buffalo. And floating the Buffalo River is something of a rite of passage for true Arkansans.
Located in northern Arkansas, the Buffalo River is one of only four rivers designated as a national river by the U.S. Department of the Interior’s National Park Service. It was established by an act of Congress and signed in law by President Richard Nixon in March 1972, ending plans by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build one or more dams on the river for flood control and recreational purposes.
According to the National Park Service website, the designation of the Buffalo as a national river “protects the waterway from any and all industrial uses, impoundments and other obstructions that could change the natural character of the river or disrupt the natural habitat for the flora and fauna that live in or near the river.”
The meandering river is about 153 miles long. The lower 135 miles of the Buffalo flows within the boundaries of an area managed by the park service. The river flows from west to east through Newton, Searcy, Marion and Baxter counties. It originates in the highest part of the Boston Mountains of the Ozark Mountain range and eventually joins the White River at Buffalo Valley (Searcy County). The area along the Buffalo near Boxley (Newton County) is home to the state's only elk herd. The upper section of the river in the Ozark National Forest is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and is designated as a national scenic river, as well as a national wild river by the federal government.
The Buffalo National River is a popular camping, hiking, canoeing and fishing destination for Arkansans and out-of-state tourists. According to park service statistics, the river averages about 900,000 visitors a year. Those looking to float the Buffalo can bring their own canoes and kayaks or rent from several independent outfitters located along the waterway. Camping is generally allowed throughout the park and is permitted on the gravel and sand bars along the river, and the park service maintains several campgrounds along the river. There are a few places where camping is not permitted. More information on camping can be found on the Buffalo National River’s website at www.nps.gov/buff.
A visitors center operated by the National Park Service at the Tyler Bend recreational area located along the Buffalo near St. Joe (Searcy County) interprets the story of the Buffalo National River and includes exhibits on recreation, the establishment of the park, prehistoric and pioneer history, flora and fauna, and a gift shop.
Interestingly, one of Arkansas’ first state parks was built on the Buffalo. Established by the Arkansas Parks and Recreation Commission in 1938, Buffalo River State Park, like the other original state parks, was developed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1939. The state park was eventually absorbed into Buffalo National River and became a federal park in 1972. The area is now known as Buffalo Point and features several CCC-era structures, the Indian Rock House trail, a former zinc mine and the Indian Rock House cave. Another interesting fact about the Buffalo is that it was designated as the first International Dark Sky Park in the state in June 2019.
With its scenic views, historic sites and free-flowing waters, native Arkansas singer and songwriter Jimmy Driftwood said it best when referring to the Buffalo as "Arkansas’ gift to the nation and America’s gift to the world."
A proud sixth-generation Arkansan, Darrell W. Brown is a lover of all things Arkansas. He lives in Saline County with his wife, Amy, and their beloved Boston Terrier, Dixie. Find him on Facebook and Instagram at AllAroundArkansas
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