Luckily, we started early, but definitely be cautious of the heat + humidity that hits the Ozarks in the summer. Pin this hiking guide to help plan your adventure! Your email address will not be published. The trail map claims 3 miles to the start of Big Bluff from the Center-point Trail Head. Centerpoint Trail continues straight here if by chance you are uninterested in the view from the cliff. Your email address will not be published. This is the main Centerpoint Trail. You can see the Buffalo River Valley and all of its glory. Karen you will make it to the Ozarks! However, the trail was pretty rocky at times, so make sure you have good shoes and keep an eye on where youre stepping so you dont trip!After about 45 minutes to 1 hour of hiking on the Centerpoint Trail, youll reach an open area with a fire ring to the left and trails straight ahead (which we hear goes to the river) and to the right. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. The region is so beautiful and feels remote and untouched, with lots of windy backroads, open land, and small towns full of local establishments.As we hiked and drove around the area, we were kicking ourselves for not visiting it sooner. Enjoy the lake, folks, but be careful. In 2015, an intrepid hiker tried just that, fell through the hole, and had to be airlifted to the hospital. Hiking the Big Bluff Goat Trail on the Buffalo River big bluff goat trail deaths 4699 AR 43 Hwy dont go if its wet. Big Bluff - Goat Trail - Always Pack Light Just saying.. am I the only one wondering that? Besides, the long hike out will be a struggle for them (and you). Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! Have a great hike next time you go, Ashlee & Pablo. If you start this hike in the afternoon, carry a light source just in case you're out after dark. Is Goat Trail over the Buffalo National River the most dangerous hike in the United States? The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. I have to add this to my list of my must-do hikes so I dont forget. We love creating short videos so you can visualize the trail conditions before your trip. Thanks for reading. The trail got a little confusing when you get to the intersection between goat trail and center point. Are you looking for an incredible hike with epic views and relatively minimal scrambling in the Ozarks? Way in seemed harder than the way out Lots of rocks to clamber over. The mountains that surround the area are also very beautiful! If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thankfully, between working on an eastern time schedule and both of us being fairly fast hikers, we've been able to get in some solid trail time after work. Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! It is not advisable to bring children, liquor, or reckless behavior on this hike. This trail is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the state, & for good reason. It almost looks like a beehive. The hardest part of the trail looks like an old gravel bed with a lot of loose rocks. The majority of this trail strolls through the forest. Ive visited Big Bluff multiple times now. Taking on a good hike is a great way to do that and would definitely consider this one when I am in the Arkansas area. Lots of awesome views definitely a day well spent. Consequently, plan extra time on the hike out as it's all uphill. Big Bluff is absolutely a trail that should not be missed. You come to a Y in the trail and the campground sits in the middle of the Y. When she's not hiking in the mountains or planning a backpacking trip, she's taking a road trip or sampling some delicious craft beer. We live in Tulsa and cant wait to check it out. From here it is a rough trail that continues down the ridgeline to intersect the Old River Trail. Then, hike the Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail) in Arkansas! Goat Bluff Trail | Map, Guide - Arkansas | AllTrails October 20, 2021. From Ponca, drive 3 miles north on Hwy 43 to the Centerpoint Trailhead, located at the Firetower Road junction. Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information. This is a video and some pictures of Big Bluff/Goats trail/bluff in Arkansas. Super pretty and worth it. I have added this place in my bucket list. We did encounter a herd of wild boars, but they ran off right away. Having a headlamp is not only one of the 10 hiking essentials, but is especially important if you plan to start your hike before sunrise or finish after sunset. The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is 5.9 miles roundtrip and has an elevation change of 1,076 feet. The trail's destination is the Big Bluff overlooking the Buffalo River. Hiking back was no joke! The Bluffs along Buffalo National River Flickr/Buffalo Outdoor Center Good grief, don't try to jump off a cliff into the river. Before you read any further, we wanted to clear up the trails name. Same song, different spillway. Looks like such a lovely hike!! There is a dedicated parking lot for the hike which has room for probably about 15 cars. The surgery would leave him unable to walk for two months and unable to hike for even longer. Before headingback up to the top, Matt, my dad and I joined my mom with her awesome view, ate a granola bar and soaked it all in. A lot of parking at trailhead and it was muddy when I went but over all was good (12/18/2022). She loves sharing her adventures both big & small. We had our hearts set on the well-known Centerpoint to Goat Trail, a 5.9 mile out and back trail whose destination is a famously breathtaking view of the Buffalo River. event : evt, You can do it! Hi Sarah! If youre hiking in the Ponca area, you might enjoy checking out these other hiking trails: Check back soon for new articles about hiking in the Buffalo National River, Ponca Wilderness, Ozark National Forest, and Northwest Arkansas! Ozark Cabins has quite a few properties around the Buffalo National River, including some right across from the trailhead. Youll hear and read the route called different names, but they all mean the same thing. Goat Trail is on our list this fall! 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. At 550 feet, its the larges bluff face between the Rockies and Appalachians. Make sure you go past the hole in the rock for the best part of the whole trail. This post contains affiliate links, which means well receive a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. Wed highly recommend downloading the AllTrails map for the route youre hiking before you go. Thats not a joke. Big Bluff - Goat Trail on the Buffalo River - YouTube Contact Us, 8 am 6 pm | Mar Oct Just a few other people. Follow this old road until you see the first obvious fork to the right. There are no permits required or day-use fees. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. Bringing a lunch and have a picnic at the Bluff is a memory that we will cherish. })(); 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. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. Head down the gravel path, which turns into an old homestead road covered in leaf litter. Have fun. Hiked on February 6 2023. Youll start to walk along a more narrow trail, with a rock wall on your left. Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. 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 . And for goodness sake, please dont drink and boat. Also, wed love to hear if youve hiked the Goat Trail in Arkansas or if it is on your bucket list! Then the trail dips down for the next 1.5 miles or so and then comes back up. more, The Haygoods: Branson's Most Popular Show, The Petersens at The Little Opry Theatre in Branson, Admission ticket to The Texas Tenors in Branson, Beyond The Lens! And it may not be the best for small kiddos, unless you can keep them right by your side. Twenty campers died in a flash flood in 2010. My papa bear on the trail to the right, and Matt is barely visible to the right. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. As long as you are mindful of the ledge, most hikers will have no trouble enjoying this view safely. One is that the weather is much milder, meaning youll sweat less and be able to squeeze more into one day while staying somewhat comfortable. Hi yall! My mom has a serious fear of heights, but Im so super proud of her because she made it to the amazing overview you see below! Youll know when you get to Big Bluff because the views of the Buffalo are epic! Many reviews have said that the hike is dangerous and can be scary if youre afraid of heights.We didnt think the hike was dangerous, as long as youre careful. This is where the trail corridor opens up into a large, rounded flat area with a fire ring that directionally is at about one oclock on your right. hike out is a bit steep in places. Bring bug spray! Big Bluff is part of the Buffalo River Trail, so dont think the trail will simply end. I searched the Big Bluff Goat Trail in Google and it took me to a place where many people were bathing in the river but zero signs of a hike. Check out our channel to get outdoor adventure inspiration! Is Goat Trail over the Buffalo National River the most dangerous hike in the United States? It's difficult coming down and even harder coming back up. We only saw about 6 people on our way back and ended up getting back to the van in about 3 hours. For our first trip to Northwest Arkansas, we only had the opportunity to hike one trail. My wife and I drove down from Springfield Mo after friends told us how great this hike was. The hike down to Big Bluff is relatively easy, though rocky. We also saw some deer. . We got there later in the morning and luckily saw a couple, but from quite a distance. By closing this banner or interacting with our site, you acknowledge and agree to our privacy policy. The surgery would leave him unable to walk for two months and unable to hike for even longer. Located near Ponca, Arkansas, and within the Buffalo National River National Park boundaries, this incredible 6-mile hike (out and back) has roughly 1,000 feet of total elevation gain along with one of the tallest bluffs in the area. The payout at the end of the strenuous hike is a wide open view of the Buffalo National River, plus a geological wonder. I would love to hike the Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail) in Arkansas. Be sure to continue on past the rock formation with the eyehole to access the Goat Trail. Even with a fear of heights I was able to navigate the narrower parts of the Goat Trail. If you turn right, youll see a sign on a tree that simply says Goat Trail and you follow it to Big Bluff. This location does not have a restroom. Youll probably want bug spray in the summer. Sharing our experiences in the wilderness and what we learn along the way. (function() { It was neat to see them. If you begin this hike in the afternoon, please carry a light source just in case you hike out after dark. And , Many people love mushrooms. haha. Four months ago, Eric and I took a weekend trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for one last hurrah just before his knee surgery. You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. Good grief, dont try to jump off a cliff into the river. listeners: [], You should go forth and explore the Natural States breathtaking beauty. 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. Taking in a panoramic view while gettingsome shade! AllTrails rates this trail as hard; however, I would argue that it is more of a moderate hike. You will certainly get some great pics of the river, the bluffs and the hills beyond. The Centerpoint Trailhead is located approximately 3 miles north of Ponca, AR, directly across Hwy. Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! We were there in the fall and the river was almost dry. The ledge trail to the big bluff, called Goat Trail, is not maintained by the National Park Service. I bet going in the summer or fall is just as beautiful as each other. The next day we woke up and left our packs in the tent by the river and hiked up to the falls. One of the advantages of fall is the ability to catch some pretty amazing views at the beginning of the trail. Head down the gravel path, which turns into an old homestead road covered in leaf litter. 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 :). OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Name, age Date Location, comments Jesse Sky Bergman, 9: May 16, 1988: Stalked and killed by a four-year-old male cougar at Catface Mountain in British Columbia near Tofino. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. And the highlight of our time there was hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff (watch our experience)! Keep your footing. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as MileValue.com, Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. 90 minute drive got us to the Centerpoint trailhead. This, ladies + gentlemen, is my favorite view in Arkansas. The "Goat Trail" to Big Bluff is narrow and dangerous; visitors should proceed with extreme caution when hiking this section of trail. From Boxley, Arkansas (the junction of Highways 21 & 43 in Buffalo National River), travel north on Highway 43 to Ponca, Arkansas. The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is just one of the many things to do in the Buffalo National River area! Why Camping at Buffalo Point Campground is Awesome! 8 am 5 pm | Nov Feb. Buffalo Outdoor Center is authorized to provide canoe rentals and transportation services within the Buffalo National River. It is also not a place for older kids or adults, for that matter, with a penchant for risk taking or horseplay. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Overall a great trail despite the death of the last huge incline going out. Hiking to Big Bluff: The hike takes from 4 to 5 hours to complete round trip if you're in decent shape. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! This crazy formation is inside one of the overhangs. I looked back from the narrow, rock ledge part of the trail and captured this adorable photo. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. We absolutely loved it! Theres also a dead tree on the bluff that has years upon years of buzzard stuff lacquered over it. The parking lot for the Centerpoint Trailhead fills up quickly. It gets its name from the feral descendants of domesticated goats (brought here by pioneers) who either escaped captivity or were turned loose in the wilderness and eventually became wild. Finally I found two people who were riding a horse and were heading towards the place and I followed them. As you can see on the map above, as well as on the AllTrails page, the hike to Big Bluff is all downhill, which means that youll be going all uphill on the way back.We had read reports beforehand that said it was a hard hike, but we didnt find the elevation gain to be that brutal on the hike back, but we did have a cooler, cloudy day, which helped!You start the hike at the Centerpoint trailhead in Compton, Arkansas before splitting off onto the Goat Trail, which takes you to Big Bluff, a cool, rocky bluff. Steep 2.5 mile hike out- but the trail is beautiful and worth the effort. 3. Looking for more things to do in Arkansas? Now going back to your car is an uphill incline. I like to do Easy/moderate hikes admist stunning natural beauty, ozarks looks just ideal! 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. Get more stories delivered right to your email. It is an out and back trail, approximately 3 miles each way. The Big Bluff, otherwise known as the Goat Trail, sits 550' above the Buffalo National River and the trail is only about 4 feet wide. We left our little hikers at home for this one as its definitely more of a challenge and a bit treacherous at spots. I love hiking and exploring new trails. Dogs are not allowed on the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, as well as on many of the trails nearby. Haha we love you! Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. The trailhead is located on the right at 3.5 miles. We'll be sharing monthly travel tips and our favorite places to help you plan the best road trips, hiking, and camping! Buffalo River Trail: Steel Creek Campground to Villines Homestead, Buffalo River Trail from Kyles Landing Campground, Ponca Wilderness and Buffalo National River Loop, Buffalo River Paddle Route: Ponca to Kyles Landing, Paige Falls, Broadwater Hollow, Thunder Canyon via Cecil Cove Trail, Buffalo River Trail: Steel Creek Campground to Erbie Campground, Kyles Landing to Camp Orr via Buffalo River Trail, Buffalo River Trail: Compton to Ponca Backpacking Route. Youll have fun. 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. Its a downhill trek until you get to the Goat Trail, but it never felt super steep. Your photos are stunning by the way! Buffalo Outdoor Center is an adventure lovers dream! Just dont fall off. Hiking the CentePoint to Goat Trail to Big Bluff (Arkansas) We love your website! This trail features steep, rocky, and uneven terrain. Being from St. Louis, where the weathermen are always predicting rain that never comes, we simply packed our raincoats and hoped to finish the hike before the storm came in. (Sa. It is one of our absolute favorite hikes in the Ozarks (along with hiking the Whitaker Point Trail). The hike itself is pretty standard woodland path, with not a ton of features and only a few rocky sections to break up the long walk. 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. We wanted to share a few things to consider before your trekking journey to stay safe. The hike from Centerpoint Trailhead to Big Bluff is approximately 6 miles round-trip. } We were the only ones on the trail that we saw. You should especially avoid that when the water is high. The later inthe year you get, the lower the Buffalo River gets. Thanks for reading. I was and am still scared of heights. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. , Fungi are amazing. Bicycles are permitted only on authorized trails: Creamery Meadow and Ridge trails. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. If you have more time to spend in this region, here are some ideas of things to do before or after your hike. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If you make a purchase with Amazon.com through For the Love of Wanderlust, you will help me stay on the road + keep my site running at no additional cost for you. While youre in the area, there are other great hikes. Today was our last hike of our weeks vacation in the Buffalo National River park, and we started at the Centerpoint trail head. This 5-mile out and back hike ventures up a coastal canyon at the south end of Montaa de Oro State Park. The trail ends at the juncture of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. Lots of unsuspecting swimmers have been washed away. These trees growing along the bluff are junipers and some of them have been dated back to over 800 years! Small gravel parking lot. Fantastic scenery! At a corner I saw a horse path and decided to follow it. The main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. Theres another small section though the trees and then you start to notice the trees to your right start to thin out and on your right, you start to see a bluff rise above you and then it opens up. Big Bluff Trail Hiking Trail, Jasper, Arkansas - Hiking Project Some of these trees have been dated to over 800 years old by the National Park Service, so take a few moments to pause and wonder at these tenacious, gnarled sentinels as they watch over the bluff and the river. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Such beautiful views reminds me a lot of the hikes we do on the NSW South Coast of Australia very similar views. Please read ourfull disclosurefor more information. Great view. They camp in their Aliner often and love road trips and hiking. The best reason for going in the spring, though, is the sheer beauty of springtime in the Ozarks. The river water has a clear, blue color, which contrasted super nicely with the yellow and orange leaves we witnessed. We got a later start than expected due to spending extra time on Hawks Bill Crag and Glory Hole Falls trails.
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