Arkansas Wildlife Blog and Gallery
Buffalo National River and NW Arkansas
Plan Your Visit to the Buffalo National River Region
| Towns From West to East | Eureka Springs | Ponca (BR) | Harrison | Jasper | Marshall | Cotter (WR) | Gilbert (BR) | Buffalo City (BR)(WR) |
Mountain View (WR) |
| Eureka Springs | Eureka Springs |
54.4 miles 1 hr 27 min |
41.5 miles 55 minutes |
62 miles 1 hr 30 min |
84.4 miles 1 hr 46 min |
82.5 miles 1 hr 46 min |
75.miles 1 hr 41 min |
96.2 miles 2 hr 15 min |
123 miles 3 hours |
| Ponca (BR) |
54.4 miles 1 hr 27 min |
Ponca |
36.6 1 hr 4 min |
15 miles 32 min |
60 miles 1 hr 41 min |
69 miles 1 hr 49 min |
51.3 miles 1 hr 35 min |
83.1 miles 2 hrs 21 min |
99.2 miles 2 hrs 54 min |
| Harrison |
41.5 miles 55 minutes |
36.6 1 hr 4 min |
Harrison |
20.6 miles 35 mins |
43.1 miles 53 mins |
41.2 miles 53 mins |
33.8 miles 47 mins |
54.9 miles 1 hr 26 min |
81.7 miles 2 hrs 6 min |
| Jasper |
62 miles 1 hr 30 min |
15 miles 32 min |
20.6 miles 35 mins |
Jasper |
46.1 miles 1 hr 9 mins |
55.2 miles 1 hr 18 min |
36.8 miles 1 hr 4 min |
68.9 miles 1hr 51 mins |
84.7 miles 2 hrs 22 min |
| Marshall |
84.4 miles 1 hr 46 min |
60 miles 1 hr 41 min |
43.1 miles 53 mins |
46.1 miles 1 hr 9 mins |
Marshall |
51.7 miles 1 hr 19 min |
15.6 miles 22 min |
65.4 miles 1 hr 51 min |
38.6 miles 1 hr 13 min |
| Cotter |
82.5 miles 1 hr 46 min |
69 miles 1 hr 49 min |
41.2 miles 53 mins |
55.2 miles 1 hr 18 min |
51.7 miles 1 hr 19 min |
Cotter |
32.8 miles 1 hr 8 min |
14 miles 34 min |
58.3 miles 1 hr 52 min |
| Gilbert (BR) |
75.miles 1 hr 41 min |
51.3 miles 1 hr 35 min |
33.8 miles 47 mins |
36.8 miles 1 hr 4 min |
15.6 miles 22 min |
32.8 miles 1 hr 8 min |
Gilbert |
46.5 miles 1 hr 40 min |
54.2 miles 1 hr 35 min |
| Buffalo City (BR) |
96.2 miles 2 hr 15 min |
83.1 miles 2 hrs 21 min |
54.9 miles 1 hr 26 min |
68.9 miles 1hr 51 mins |
65.4 miles 1 hr 51 min |
14 miles 34 min |
46.5 miles 1 hr 40 min |
Buffalo City |
52.5 miles 2 hrs |
| Mountain View |
123 miles 3 hrs |
99.2 miles 2 hrs 54 min |
81.7 miles 2 hrs 6 min |
84.7 miles 2 hrs 22 min |
38.6 miles 1 hr 13 min |
58.3 miles 1 hr 52 min |
54.2 miles 1 hr 35 min |
52.5 miles 2 hrs |
Mountain View |
Learn About River Levels, Assessing Flood Risk & Weather
The Buffalo National River is a wild river. This means it is not managed or dammed as are most modern rivers. It is prone to flash flooding due to the limestone geology of the area. This guide provides a map of the watershed, links to weather and river gauges. Take time to plan and better understand the behavior of the wild Buffalo National River.
Times and Distances for Trips to Towns in the Buffalo National River Region
The chart below identifies both time and distance for travel nearby area towns. Many of the attractions in various guide books and websites don't provide the guidance about travel distances, and more importantly, times.
Around here travel time is at least as important as distance. Our mountainous terrain and lack of connecting interstate highways really slows things down. Better to drive a bit slowly and be safe. There are many blind corners and sharp turns on many of the roads, and of course, good road markings are considered optional.
Note that river towns are noted by either (BR) for Buffalo River, or (WR) for the White River. If you are planning your stay, it is no bargain to stay far away from the Buffalo River, or the White River for that matter. Try to think about specific trails and destinations and get a concrete idea about the distances. What might seem like a good location could be over an hour away. Don't expect to get great gas mileage either. Keep you gas tank pretty full, there are far fewer gas stations than you might expect, also, many don't have pay at the pump.
The Buffalo National River is a wild river. This means it is not managed or dammed as are most modern rivers. It is prone to flash flooding due to the limestone geology of the area. This guide provides a map of the watershed, links to weather and river gauges. Take time to plan and better understand the behavior of the wild Buffalo National River.
Times and Distances for Trips to Towns in the Buffalo National River Region
The chart below identifies both time and distance for travel nearby area towns. Many of the attractions in various guide books and websites don't provide the guidance about travel distances, and more importantly, times.
Around here travel time is at least as important as distance. Our mountainous terrain and lack of connecting interstate highways really slows things down. Better to drive a bit slowly and be safe. There are many blind corners and sharp turns on many of the roads, and of course, good road markings are considered optional.
Note that river towns are noted by either (BR) for Buffalo River, or (WR) for the White River. If you are planning your stay, it is no bargain to stay far away from the Buffalo River, or the White River for that matter. Try to think about specific trails and destinations and get a concrete idea about the distances. What might seem like a good location could be over an hour away. Don't expect to get great gas mileage either. Keep you gas tank pretty full, there are far fewer gas stations than you might expect, also, many don't have pay at the pump.
Planning Tips:
Gas stations can be rare around here. Keep your tank full and expect to get poorer mileage than you are accustomed to.
Think about the location of emergency medical care before you have a crisis. You should be traveling not spend time figuring out where to go.
Gas stations can be rare around here. Keep your tank full and expect to get poorer mileage than you are accustomed to.
Think about the location of emergency medical care before you have a crisis. You should be traveling not spend time figuring out where to go.
Planning you stay can be a little involved. This is a rural area, very rural. There are few of the conveniences
of the larger cities.
Jasper, the Newton County seat, has only one gas station and 4 restaurants, a hardware store, and a grocery store. Ponca has one gas station and small grocery store.
Harrison is the big city around here (12,500 population), and many of the comforts are large cities are missing,
but it does have most of the bases covered, including a hospital for medical emergencies. It has multiple gas stations, hardware stores, grocery stores, and many places to eat. Many people want to escape even the little city feel of a Harrison and stay in rural cabins or camp along the river. See the travel times below.
If you are staying in the Ponca area, this guide will help you locate local resources and things to do. This Ponca resource guide will help you locate things you might need during your stay. The page also includes advice on day trips and destinations.
of the larger cities.
Jasper, the Newton County seat, has only one gas station and 4 restaurants, a hardware store, and a grocery store. Ponca has one gas station and small grocery store.
Harrison is the big city around here (12,500 population), and many of the comforts are large cities are missing,
but it does have most of the bases covered, including a hospital for medical emergencies. It has multiple gas stations, hardware stores, grocery stores, and many places to eat. Many people want to escape even the little city feel of a Harrison and stay in rural cabins or camp along the river. See the travel times below.
If you are staying in the Ponca area, this guide will help you locate local resources and things to do. This Ponca resource guide will help you locate things you might need during your stay. The page also includes advice on day trips and destinations.
Local Hazards:
Flash Flooding on the Buffalo National River
Driving in Boxley Valley -- see this page for pointers on driving safely in Boxley Valley.
Safety Issues for Hikers and Wildife Lovers
Flash Flooding on the Buffalo National River
Driving in Boxley Valley -- see this page for pointers on driving safely in Boxley Valley.
Safety Issues for Hikers and Wildife Lovers