Buffalo National River Park - Harrison, Arkansas - Park

Buffalo National River Park is situated at Harrison in Arkansas and is a long, narrow park that is crossed by three main highways. To reach the Upper District (Jasper area) visitors should travel south from Harrison on Highway 7, or Highway 43 and to reach the Middle District (Tyler Bend area), visitors travel 31 miles south of Harrison on Highway 65. The Lower District (Buffalo Point area) can be reached by taking Highway 65 south from Harrison for five miles, then take Highway 62/412 to the east to Yellville, and Highway 14 south.

Access to the national river is open to the public throughout the year. The main park visitor center is located at Tyler Bend, which is approximately 11 miles north of Marshall on Highway 65. It is open all year except Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day with opening hours 8.30am to 4.30pm Tuesdays to Sunday and 9am to 4.30pm on Mondays.

There are over 360 documented caves at the park making it one of the most cave-rich areas of the National Park System. Here there are three species of bat to be found, which are on the Federal Endangered Species List as well as four others not listed. The caves are also home to wood rats, salamanders, frogs, insects, spiders and other arthropods.

There are over 100 miles of maintained trails in the park open both to horse riding and hiking. Horseback riding trails are located in all districts of the national river with numerous roads, closed to motor vehicles available to riders willing to explore without the benefit of trail signs. Regularly scheduled programs and activities are offered by rangers between Memorial Day and Labor Day including guided walks, float trips, junior ranger programs, music programs, and evening programs.

There are 13 campgrounds here with two areas in the upper river designated for visitors with horses and located close to horse trails. Steel Creek and Erbie are accessible by vehicle and provide basic facilities such as fire grates, vault toilets and space for horse trailers. The campsites vary from very primitive to having water and electric hook-ups, but visitors can also stay in one of the rustic cabins located at Buffalo Point.

Native Americans lived within the Buffalo River valley and pioneers settled along the river as well in communities like Erbie and Boxley. The park provides an interesting historic and cultural background as well the ecological one and is therefore a good place to bring student groups. Park Rangers provide a number of interpretive programs and are able to visit classrooms to deliver presentations about the park, the river, the people who lived here as well as explaining the work of the National Park Service.

Visitors not wishing to camp here will be able to find accommodation within 200 meters of the park at 1929 Hotel Seville, which is in North Main Street, Harrison. There are a number of eateries nearby too such as John Paul's, Ranch House and Neighbor's Mill, which are all within one kilometre of the park.