Upper Buffalo Wilderness Area
The main section of the Upper Buffalo Wilderness was designated in 1974 with additional acreages created by the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act totaling approximately 12.000 acres. This is one of the 3 wildernesses on the Buffalo Ranger District. The forest cover is mostly second and third growth oak-hickory. Some scattered stands of shortleaf pine in old fields still exist from when the Forest Service purchased the land in the 1930s and 1940s. The route to Hawksbill Crag is the only designated hiking trail located in the wilderness. The trail is developed but unmarked. A system of old lodging roads that runs throughout the area provides and informal network of trails for hiking and horseback rising. There are four developed access points to reach the Upper Buffalo Wilderness : Hawksbill Crag, Kapark Cemetery, Dahl Memorial, and Boen Gulf. Point of interest- Hawksbill Crag Rock Formation.
At a Glance
Fees: | none |
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Open Season: | year-round |
Closest Towns: | Boxley, Fallsville, Deer |
Water: | non-drinking |
Restroom: | none |
Operated By: | Big Piney Ranger District (479)284-3150 or (870)446-5122 |
General Information
Directions:See trailhead links (under "Find Area" in right column) for map, directions and latitude/longitude of each trailhead.
Accessibility:
Activities
Dispersed Camping
Recreation areas with activity Dispersed Camping:- Boen Gulf Trailhead
- Dahl Memorial Trailhead
- Dixon Ridge Trailhead
- Kapark Trailhead
- Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) Trailhead
River and Stream Fishing
Recreation areas with activity River and Stream Fishing: The Upper Buffalo River runs through the wilderness area- 15.7 miles. Smallmouth Bass, Ozark Bass, and Green Sunfish.Difficulty Level: | Easy |
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Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Boen Gulf Trailhead
- Dahl Memorial Trailhead
- Dixon Ridge Trailhead
- Kapark Trailhead
- Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) Trailhead
11,094 acres featuring caves, bluffs, and the headwaters of the Buffalo National River. This area features beautiful, boulder-strewn, dramatic scenery. There are a number of side hollows which feed the Buffalo River and each one of these is worthy of exploring. There is one short primitive trail that provides access to a popular rock formation above the bluff line. With that exception, there are no other developed trails into this area. There are, however, a number of locations around the wilderness boundary which provide good access to a variety of destinations. This wilderness area is contiguous with the 2,200 acre Upper Buffalo Wilderness managed by the Buffalo National River.
Fire Information | Campfires are allowed (unless in the event of a burn ban), no firewood should be brought in or taken from the forest. |
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:Big Game Hunting
Recreation areas with activity Big Game Hunting:- Boen Gulf Trailhead
- Dahl Memorial Trailhead
- Dixon Ridge Trailhead
- Kapark Trailhead
- Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) Trailhead
Small Game Hunting
Recreation areas with activity Small Game Hunting:Game Bird/Waterfowl
Recreation areas with activity Game Bird/Waterfowl:- Boen Gulf Trailhead
- Dahl Memorial Trailhead
- Dixon Ridge Trailhead
- Kapark Trailhead
- Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag) Trailhead
Viewing Wildlife
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:The main section of the Upper Buffalo Wilderness was designated in 1974 with additional acreages created by the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act totaling approximately 12.000 acres. This is one of the 3 wildernesses on the Buffalo Ranger District. The forest cover is mostly second and third growth oak-hickory. Some scattered stands of shortleaf pine in old fields still exist from when the Forest Service purchased the land in the 1930s and 1940s. The route to Hawksbill Crag is the only designated hiking trail located in the wilderness. The trail is developed but unmarked. A system of old lodging roads that runs throughout the area provides and informal network of trails for hiking and horseback riding. There are four developed access points to reach the Upper Buffalo Wilderness : Hawksbill Crag, Kapark Cemetery, Dahl Memorial, and Boen Gulf. Point of interest- Hawksbill Crag Rock Formation.
Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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Viewing Plants
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Plants:The main section of the Upper Buffalo Wilderness was designated in 1974 with additional acreages created by the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act totaling approximately 12.000 acres. This is one of the 3 wildernesses on the Buffalo Ranger District. The forest cover is mostly second and third growth oak-hickory. Some scattered stands of shortleaf pine in old fields still exist from when the Forest Service purchased the land in the 1930s and 1940s. The route to Hawksbill Crag is the only designated hiking trail located in the wilderness. The trail is developed but unmarked. A system of old lodging roads that runs throughout the area provides and informal network of trails for hiking and horseback riding. There are four developed access points to reach the Upper Buffalo Wilderness : Hawksbill Crag, Kapark Cemetery, Dahl Memorial, and Boen Gulf. Point of interest- Hawksbill Crag Rock Formation.
Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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Viewing Scenery
Recreation areas with activity Viewing Scenery:The main section of the Upper Buffalo Wilderness was designated in 1974 with additional acreages created by the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act totaling approximately 12.000 acres. This is one of the 3 wildernesses on the Buffalo Ranger District. The forest cover is mostly second and third growth oak-hickory. Some scattered stands of shortleaf pine in old fields still exist from when the Forest Service purchased the land in the 1930s and 1940s. The route to Hawksbill Crag is the only designated hiking trail located in the wilderness. The trail is developed but unmarked. A system of old lodging roads that runs throughout the area provides and informal network of trails for hiking and horseback riding. There are four developed access points to reach the Upper Buffalo Wilderness : Hawksbill Crag, Kapark Cemetery, Dahl Memorial, and Boen Gulf. Point of interest- Hawksbill Crag Rock Formation.
Difficulty Level: | Easy to Difficult |
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