1. Lost Valley Trail at Ponca - Upper District
- Located 51.8 miles from Buffalo River Cabins
- Trail Length is 2.2 miles (round trip)
- Elevation Change is 242 feet
The wildly popular Lost Valley hiking trail is not to be missed. It has a large parking lot, easy access to bathrooms and picnic tables at the beginning of the trail, and is great for larger groups. You can bring younger children on this hike, but be prepared to carry them up and down rock stairs or to turn back before the end of the trail. It can get a little strenuous for little legs towards the end. This heavily trafficked in-and-out hike comes upon a beautiful creek, two waterfalls, Cob Cave, and finally a deep cave with a third waterfall far back inside. Bring sturdy shoes that don’t slip easily, plenty of water, and headlights to explore the last cave if you are adventurous and not prone to claustrophobia. The sights along this trail are breathtakingly gorgeous, and note that all three waterfalls will generally only be running soon after a rainstorm.
2. Collier Homestead Trail at Tyler Bend - Middle District
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Located 1.6 miles from Buffalo River Cabins
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Trail Length is 1.1 miles (round trip)
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Elevation Change is 154 feet
This loop trail is the perfect afternoon jaunt. Rather short, perfect for young children, this landmark homestead is absolutely fascinating to explore for young and old alike. This hike is so close to our cabins and provides some great views of the Buffalo River along the way. Tyler Bend provides other, more strenuous hikes and the Visitor Center located there is a great pit stop before you go.
3. Indian Rockhouse Trail at Buffalo Point - Lower District
- Located 32 miles from Buffalo River Cabins
- Trail Length is 2.8 miles (round trip)
- Elevation Change is 459 feet
This hike is located in the history-rich lower district of the Buffalo National River, and is a little more challenging than the other two listed here. This loop trail goes down into a valley, past an impressive sinkhole, an attempted zinc mine, and then down to a very large cave with a natural skylight. This trip is better for fit adults as the hike out is uphill and can be challenging for kids. This trail is located in the Buffalo Point section of the river and so is nearby to campgrounds, bathrooms and a ranger station. The sights along this trail are interesting and thought-provoking and provide great photo opportunities.
Ready to enjoy the less trafficked trails and sights this holiday season? We are here to help you do it! If you have more questions about these and other nearby hikes, or are needing directions and more details, give our office a call at 870-439-2200 to talk to one of our Buffalo River Country experts today.