The private lot appeared to not be open during our visit since the main parking area still had lots of spots open.Whatever lot you decide to park in, make sure to NOT park on the main road as we have read many reports of people being towed. As long as you are mindful of the ledge, most hikers will have no trouble enjoying this view safely. Had we visited a week or two sooner, we can only imagine how even more gorgeous it wouldve been! 43 from the Fire Tower Road intersection. The ledge trail to the big bluff, called Goat Trail, is not maintained by the National Park Service. Generally considered a moderately challenging route. To get to the Goat Trail, start the hike from Centerpoint Trailhead. This section of the hike follows a narrow path along the edge of Big Bluff, with a very steep and long drop-off to the Buffalo River below. Unfortunately, we picked one of the hottest days of the year. You can watch our experience on the trail here to get a better idea of how the trail is. The differences between your fall and summer pics are so stunning! 98% of travelers recommend this experience. What a beautiful hike!! Looks like such a lovely hike!! What a beautiful spot for hiking. When you look out, you can see the gorgeous Ozark Mountains and then further down to the Buffalo River and this is the spot where it makes a perfect horseshoe bend. And it may not be the best for small kiddos, unless you can keep them right by your side. Every year residents of Northwest Arkansas and the river valley hear about Beaver Lake tragedies on the local news. They camp in their Aliner often and love road trips and hiking. Fall, winter, and spring are excellent times of the year to hike in the Ponca Wilderness. I love hiking and exploring new trails. We were the only ones on the trail that we saw. Thanks for the great guide. Simply enter your email to get adventures from across the world, inspiration + conversations about all things travel delivered right to your inbox! forms: { Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! When you get out to the bluff it does get a little narrow my 11 year old didn't feel comfortable going thru that spot so we turned around there maybe 100yds from the end. Such beautiful views reminds me a lot of the hikes we do on the NSW South Coast of Australia very similar views. And similar to West Virginia, we think this area is majorly underrated and a hidden gem! Incredible photography! This looks like a great hike to do, but Im really not great with heights so Im not sure how Id feel about some of the narrow ledges and paths. Before you read any further, we wanted to clear up the trails name. This, ladies + gentlemen, is my favorite view in Arkansas. The Centerpoint Trail is mostly a forested walk, with the occasional view through the trees of the surrounding area at the beginning. You will certainly get some great pics of the river, the bluffs and the hills beyond. Pass Ponca and travel up a significant uphill. Big Bluff demands we all be on our best behavior in exchange for enjoying one of the most lofty views of the Buffalo National River accessible by hiking trail. It is one of our absolute favorite hikes in the Ozarks (along with hiking the Whitaker Point Trail). The river water has a clear, blue color, which contrasted super nicely with the yellow and orange leaves we witnessed. Your photos are stunning by the way! Dogs are only allowed at campgrounds, on the river, and on the gravel bars, but must be on leash. Dont avoid these gorgeous places. Although there are several ways to reach Goat Trail, which follows along the edge of Big Bluff, Centerpoint Trail is arguably the most popular route. 3. This is the main Centerpoint Trail. Ashlee Fechino is an outdoor recreation and travel writer and founder of The Happiness Function. (Recommended). Wow! So the return trip was pretty tiring. To arrive at the Goat Trail you must first start at the Centerpoint trailhead. From the Centerpoint Trailhead, it is about a 1-hour hike to the spur trail that takes you out onto Big Bluff. She's a road trip aficionado, an avid hiker, lover of learning + culture and an all-around wanderess. This hiking seems fun in Arkansas. There is little to no cellphone reception in the area except at the top of the hill near the trailhead. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. Overall a great trail despite the death of the last huge incline going out. Steel Creek Campground is managed by the National Park Service. The payoff is the bluffs, which are beautiful. Goat Trail to Big Bluff Trail Stats The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is 5.9 miles roundtrip and has an elevation change of 1,076 feet. The sheer face of a cliff is certainly not where you want to be during a thunderstorm, so we and some fellow hikers found shelter in a hollowed-out part of the cliff nearby, hoping to wait it out. Since the area is managed by the National Park Service, drones are not allowed in the Buffalo National River, including on the Goat Trail to Big Bluff. He lived, but it still wasnt a good idea. This creek level is OK. Feel free to splash around in water levels two or three times this highjust know that flash flooding is a real problem in the springtime, and water levels can rise suddenly. Hwy 43 Firetower Road junction Buffalo National River, Compton, AR 72624. If camping during the winter, there are vault toilets. The trail ends at the juncture of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. The views from the Goat Trail are incredible. From the very start of the Goat Bluff section though had AMAZING views and was so much fun. The bluff itself is "said to be" the tallest sheer vertical cliff face found between the Appalachians and the Rockies, with an estimated height of 560 feet! One should not jump off of cliffs. The goat trail is narrow, but is not dangerous if you are paying attention. Stay warm up there! If you begin this hike in the afternoon, please carry a light source just in case you hike out after dark. Small gravel parking lot. However, the Buffalo National River is just one of the many things to see and do in this area. We camped at the base of the Hemmed in Hollow trail, by the river. The man explained that everyone came from the other side walking a lot but that in 10 minutes we would be there. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It was neat to see them. Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, there are compelling reasons to add , When confronted with a patch of edible mushrooms in the woods, especially rare and delicious ones, we are often overcome , A couple of weekends ago, Eric and I, accompanied by friends John and Sammy, drove four hours southeast to explore . Want to report conditions for this trail? Speaking of trees, one of the great privileges of being out on Big Bluff is the chance to see the large, aged junipers that somehow manage to grow along the trails edge, clinging to what seems like nothing but sheer rock and very little soil. Great views after the two mile mark though! Great hiking. Why Camping at Buffalo Point Campground is Awesome! Its funny how the world replicates its landscapes over on the other sides of the world!! Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. } What attractions are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? 8 am 5 pm | Nov Feb. Buffalo Outdoor Center is authorized to provide canoe rentals and transportation services within the Buffalo National River. Please read ourfull disclosurefor more information. The hike itself is mostly downhill . Hiked on February 6 2023. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. October 20, 2021. We skipped the falls so that we would have some daylight to set up camp. What restaurants are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? We hope it helps you plan an epic adventure in the Buffalo National River! The view at end is well worth it. From here, its about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. The weather is cooler, there are little to no bugs, and the area is quieter. From that entry point most of the trail is . The trail got a little confusing when you get to the intersection between goat trail and center point. This hike is one of the most popular hikes in the Buffalo National River and its no surprise why, as it features some of the best things the area has to offer: river views, mountains, and unique rock outcroppings. Buzzards tend to be the wildlife one sees on Big Bluff or at least an abundance of the gray down feathers youll find scattered about where they roost. Bringing a lunch and have a picnic at the Bluff is a memory that we will cherish. It is not advisable to bring children, liquor, or reckless behavior on this hike. Now going back to your car is an uphill incline. By closing this banner or interacting with our site, you acknowledge and agree to our privacy policy. Rocky, so wear boots if you like your ankles to work for you absolutely worth the hike out. Youll start to walk along a more narrow trail, with a rock wall on your left. Super safe trail until after you get past the eye and then it starts to feel a bit sketchy but worth it. OK, lets talk about the ledge trail (or Goat Trail) on Big Bluff for a moment. Excellent trail. We had to hustle cuz we were cutting it kind of close, and the snow and ice that had refrozen overnight did make it precarious but we made it just fine and were well rewarded :). What an incredible view! Your email address will not be published. The surgery would leave him unable to walk for two months and unable to hike for even longer. I never thought Arkansas had such beauty. It almost looks like a beehive. Description : The first two miles of this Ozarks trail meanders through deep Ozarks forest and leads to the Big Bluff that is over 500 feet tall. AllTrails rates this trail as hard; however, I would argue that it is more of a moderate hike. The Springtime Jonquil Festival In Arkansas Thats Unlike Any Other, Spend A Magical Evening Savoring This Wine And Fondue Experience In Arkansas, Arkansas Oldest Drive-In Theater Is Hiding In A Small Town And Youll Want To Visit, Dine At The Historic Spot In Arkansas Where The Legendary Gangster Al Capone Drank Whiskey, Here Are The 6 Biggest Risks Living In The State Of Arkansas, This Recent Arkansas Phenomenon Is Shrouded In Mystery And Baffling Geologists, 10 Terrifying Things In Arkansas That Can (And Just Might) Kill You, This Waterfall Swimming Hole In Arkansas Is Perfect For A Summer Day. Ashlee holds a BS degree in Biology and MS in Environmental Policy & Sustainability and is passionate about the outdoors. Big Bluff Trail leads out about a tenth of a mile before coming out on the face of Big Bluff. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! Get a FREE Camping & Hiking Packing List! When the waters are higher, you can notice how beautifully turquoise the water is. Such a cool trail! This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and fishing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. I turned around about 3 miles on at the hole in the rock cause I was getting pretty tired and it seemed too sketchy for my Midwestern self. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Even with a fear of heights I was able to navigate the narrower parts of the Goat Trail. A little muddy at spots, and steep climb coming back, but absolutely worth the trek. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. Thanks for reading. (Sa. While the official distance is 5.9 miles on All Trails, our GPS tracked us at just shy of 7 miles. Awesome. I love hoking & camping. The side trail that leads to an outcropping on the bluff is called the Goat Trail and is about 350 ft. tall. After about 10 minutes or so, youll reach a cool rocky outcropping that has a hole in it. You most likely wont see any while youre there, but they do roam somewhere out there!Once getting onto the Goat Trail, the scenery starts to get more interesting. You can take a look at the map below before heading out. Cant wait to start travelling around the US again! Matt took this photo and thats me walking along the narrow trail. The Centerpoint Trailhead is located five minutes or 3.3 miles north of Ponca, Arkansas, off AR HWY 43 N. Ponca is an adorable mountain town in the middle of (almost) nowhere within the upper Buffalo National River. Trails at Andrew Molera State Park allow for bicycling and hiking. As a lover of all things travel, Paige Wunder is falling in love with the world one destination at a time. Youll know when you get to Big Bluff because the views of the Buffalo are epic! This trail features steep, rocky, and uneven terrain. The majority are first-come, first-served and some are free to stay at. Find more places to camp along the Arkansas Buffalo River (Upper District) here. If you stay the night, be very careful when moving along . Its very steep, and very dangerous. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. dont go if its wet. Never been to Arkansas but would love to visit this trail. We hear that the trail takes about 3-4 hours for most people to complete this hike, but plan extra time if you want to stop for snacks or if you like to take your time hiking.If youre visiting the Buffalo National River, we couldnt recommend this trail more! window.mc4wp.listeners.push( I have been experimenting with easy hikes lately and I love being in nature. And the highlight of our time there was hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff (watch our experience)! This 4.5-mile hike summits a 1,347-foot peak with stunning views over Montaa de Oro. With that being said, hundreds of people safely enjoy Big Bluff every year, so if you feel this is a hike for you, then the physical workout youll get is worth the stunning river view. There are a few names for hiking to this specific viewpoint in Buffalo National River. We wanted to share a few things to consider before your trekking journey to stay safe. Finally I found two people who were riding a horse and were heading towards the place and I followed them. I loved the Goat Trail part of the hike, but not as enthused over the first mile or so from the trailhead. Enjoy the view but use extreme caution on Big Bluff. more information Accept. We arrived to the goat trail at about 9 AM. The spur trail (Goat Trail) to Big Bluff is off to the right of the fire ring. Thanks for reading and being such a loyal fan. In this guide were sharing everything you need to know before hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff in the Buffalo National River, including trail stats, what to bring, and more!Despite living in Texas for the majority of our lives, we never visited Arkansas and boy, were we missing out! You can see a list of the sites, as well as their season dates, amenities, and other details here! The later inthe year you get, the lower the Buffalo River gets. })(); The Happiness Function is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and other affiliate programs, which are affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and other affiliate sites. Dogs are not allowed on the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, as well as on many of the trails nearby. Buzzards frequent this area and youllfind feathersalong the trail. Amazing trial, its a little rough going down to the spot, all downhill just watch your step! We live in Tulsa and cant wait to check it out. Its great to see something you can do with the whole family too even if your mum was scared stiff! Difficulty : Moderate to Strenuous. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. When researching this hike we saw this hike called a variety of names. The view from the bluffs in breathtaking as you stand right at the edge and overlook the buffalo.