Here are a few recommendations for lodging near the hike, as well as the other activities nearby! The best reason for going in the spring, though, is the sheer beauty of springtime in the Ozarks. What a beautiful hike!! The differences between your fall and summer pics are so stunning! Since the return hike is all uphill, youll definitely want some water, especially if you hike on a hot, sunny day! Are you looking for an incredible hike with epic views and relatively minimal scrambling in the Ozarks? 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. I would love to get to Arkansas . There are two campgrounds relatively close to the Centerpoint Trailhead. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! Note that with no foliage on the trees it's pretty warm out. The Centerpoint Trailhead is located approximately 3 miles north of Ponca, AR, directly across Hwy. Buffalo Outdoor Center is literally right across the highway. Big Bluff Goat Trail | northern Arkansas | - YouTube Welcome back! I never thought Arkansas had such beauty. The footbridge will be re-installed in late-Spring 2023. The Yucatn Peninsula is the heart of the ancient, The cenotes tour we booked through @airbnbexperien. Be sure to continue on past the rock formation with the eyehole to access the Goat Trail. 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. Besides, the long hike out will be a struggle for them (and you). From this fork is where the rocky bluff begins so you can hike to Big Bluff along the Goat Trail. Today was our last hike of our weeks vacation in the Buffalo National River park, and we started at the Centerpoint trail head. With cabins, RV sites, and even lodges that can sleep 30+ people, there are a variety of accommodations. At a corner I saw a horse path and decided to follow it. Parking lot is pretty decent, not to busy, saw about 3-4 different groups. It is important to note that Goat Trail is not a place for those afraid of heights. 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. However, if you can overcome your fear of heights the trail provides some of the best views of the river and of the Ozark Mountains. In 2007, a man really did that. } It is not recommended for kids or those afraid of heights. This looks like an amazing place to hike. Truly awesome place for hiking. what does greyson mean in the bible I like to do Easy/moderate hikes admist stunning natural beauty, ozarks looks just ideal! The Centerpoint to Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in Buffalo National River. Pass Ponca and travel up a significant uphill. A little muddy, but no traction needed. It sure looks like it was worth it for those stunning views though. 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. One should not jump off of cliffs. Great view. This hiking seems fun in Arkansas. So, if you see any of the following, youre in the right place: The hike from Centerpoint to Big Bluff starts from the Centerpoint Trailhead outside of Ponca, AR. It sounds a little scary trying to navigate the small ledge near the end of the hike, but definitely an adventure and if it gives great views, then definitely worth it. Goats and Buzzards The Goat Trail is the narrow ledge trail that spurs off of the Centerpoint Trail and takes you out onto Big Bluff. We love our Camelbak bladder for hikes because it stores a ton of water and its easy to drink while moving. This campground is RV-friendly, clean, has fantastic bathrooms, and is open year-round. Its funny how the world replicates its landscapes over on the other sides of the world!! There is really only one long stretch back up hill that is hard, but otherwise the climb back up wasnt that bad. Trail was a little muddy but nothing terrible. 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! Avoid the stress of forgetting camping and hiking essentials with our handy guide. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona Unfortunately, after checking the radar, it seemed the storm would be raging for a while once it started, so we and the others started to high-tail it out of there. The main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. The ledge trail to the big bluff, called Goat Trail, is not maintained by the National Park Service. We founded The Happiness Function to show you how to seek fulfillment outdoors through an active lifestyle, hiking, camping, and road-tripping in the USA. Would do again! Hi Sarah! Technically this route is the Centerpoint Trail to the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, but we have seen it called the Big Bluff Trail, Goat Trail, Centerpoint to Goat Trail, and other names, which made it a bit confusing to understand if they were the same or not.In this guide well call it the Goat Trail to Big Bluff to keep things shorter, but we wanted to mention its various name combinations so youre not confused. Each is a beautiful and unique experience. This is a popular hike and can be pretty busy on the weekends. Big Bluff Trail leads out about a tenth of a mile before coming out on the face of Big Bluff. Thats not a joke. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. And the highlight of our time there was hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff (watch our experience)! Finally I found two people who were riding a horse and were heading towards the place and I followed them. fantastic, breathtaking and simply a must see! She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. 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. 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. On the way back, the hike is all uphill, which makes it a bit harder, but minus a couple pretty steep sections, which had us huffing and puffing a bit, its not too difficult. Thanks for reading. The campground does not have showers. Check out our blog for more close by . Just dont fall off. Youll probably want bug spray in the summer. Very rocky getting down but doable. It was our first hike in the area and we started later in the day than we should have. While youre in the area, there are other great hikes. 2023 Buffalo Outdoor Center. We will definitely be adding more hikes in the Ponca Wilderness Area to our bucket list, such as a trek to the famous Hemmed in Hollow waterfall. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. Goat Trail is on our list this fall! In addition to the massive bluff, it overlooks one of the most stunning views of the Buffalo River, especially in the spring when the water is higher. And for goodness sake, please dont drink and boat. The views from the Goat Trail are incredible. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. The trail crosses on a shelf of the bluff, which has a great view of the valley but which is narrow at points. Ive visited Big Bluff multiple times now. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) As of last count, Beaver Lake had claimed 120 lives. Users of the outdoors website All Trails rated Cougar Crest 4.5 out of 5 stars and listed it as "moderate." Related Articles We started early in the day to ensure we got parking in the lot. Simply enter your email to get adventures from across the world, inspiration + conversations about all things travel delivered right to your inbox! Some scrambling might be required, depending on how far across the bluffs you want to go. listeners: [], If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. But please dont lean over and topple onto the ground below. It can be easy to miss. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { At 550 feet, its the larges bluff face between the Rockies and Appalachians. We also saw some deer. The fork to the right is NOT MARKED with an obvious trail sign but takes you to the Big Bluff (Goat Trail). You can see a list of the sites, as well as their season dates, amenities, and other details here! Took lots breaks on the way back but it was very doable. With breathtaking views of the river, mountains, and bluff at the end, it combines so many of the things that make the Buffalo National River special! Awesome. They are also allowed on a few trails, including the Tyler Bend Campground trails (Spring Hollow, Buck Ridge, and Rock Wall in the Middle District) and all three Buffalo Point Campground trails (Forest Trail, Overlook Trail, and Campground Trail in the Lower District). Based on reviews, I was nervous about the height and narrowness of the bluffs and the hike on the way out. We love hiking in the late fall and during the middle of the week to beat the crowds. Consequently, plan extra time on the hike out as it's all uphill. We recommend hiking with comfortable hiking shoes, wool socks, a sun hat, sunglasses, a daypack, and sweat-wicking clothes you can layer. Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! The Bluffs along Buffalo National River Flickr/Buffalo Outdoor Center Good grief, don't try to jump off a cliff into the river. From here, it's about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. Our response to COVID-19: Our team is committed to providing a safe and memorable experience for guests and staff. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. This iconic hike is located within the Ponca Wilderness, which is a very remote area in Northern Arkansas. This is the main Centerpoint Trail. As always, we recommend having the 10 essentials on you when doing any hike, but here are a few key items we want to point out that will especially help you during this hike! Good for your mom for getting up and out there, Im sure she liked the views once she got there, even if they were a little scary. Get a FREE Camping & Hiking Packing List! You dont have to walk the last section of the trail to see the great views. Enjoy the lake, folks, but be careful. 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. Pets are not permitted on trails in the Ponca Wilderness of Buffalo National River. The view is spectacular and I did not find it as dangerous as the web says. 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. 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. If you follow the trail you will reach a couple of natural shelter areas that provide just enough room inside to place a tent or even sleep on the ground. We hope to get to hike Goat Trail again sometime when the weather is better, and we have more time to enjoy the view. 6.5 miles sounds like the perfect distance for a day trip , Had no idea you could see such beauty in Arkansas. Head down the gravel path, which turns into an old homestead road covered in leaf litter. If that parking lot fills up, there is another parking lot across the road that seems to be privately owned and they charge a fee to park there.We started our hike at sunrise on a Monday and were the first car in the parking lot. Your email address will not be published. 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! 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. I didnt feel the hill out was as bad as it was made out to be either. You don't have to spend a lot of money or use a ton of vacation time to explore close to home. more information Accept. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. It's difficult coming down and even harder coming back up. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and fishing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. I mentioned the simple, white sign in the summersection of the post that says Goat Trail the photo above and below this are of the sign. This hike is not recommended for children under 12 years old. We left our little hikers at home for this one as its definitely more of a challenge and a bit treacherous at spots. We live in Tulsa and cant wait to check it out. dont go if its wet. You can watch our experience on the trail here to get a better idea of how the trail is. Have fun. Service animals permitted. I would love to hike the Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail) in Arkansas. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Walking along the bluff is a fun and more unique hiking experience and the views of the river as it winds through the area are hard to beat! When the waters are higher, you can notice how beautifully turquoise the water is. Its very steep, and very dangerous. Although there are several ways to . Great views after the two mile mark though! 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. But it is a gradual incline the whole way. 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. Centerpoint Trail continues straight here if by chance you are uninterested in the view from the cliff. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread. We only saw about 6 people on our way back and ended up getting back to the van in about 3 hours. A rugged, strenuous hike through the Ponca Wilderness to one of Buffalo National River's most expansive vistas. The main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. 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. Fun fact, the Goat Trail gets its name from the descendents of goats that were brought there by pioneers and these goats either escaped or were released. Same song, different spillway. Very muddy but the views at the end are worth it! On paper it might seem that way, but in action it's just a gorgeous adventure you have to be a bit more careful at parts. Make reservations at recreation.gov online or on the app. For our first trip to Northwest Arkansas, we only had the opportunity to hike one trail. Located just 6 minutes from the trailhead, JB Trading Co is a great spot to call home in the Buffalo National River. Nine of those deaths took place in 2014. The trail is rocky, and the way back is almost entirely uphill, but it is a trail accessible to most hikers just make sure to wear sturdy shoes. On paper it might seem that way, but in action it's just a gorgeo. Such beautiful views reminds me a lot of the hikes we do on the NSW South Coast of Australia very similar views. It was neat to see them. After about 10 minutes or so, youll reach a cool rocky outcropping that has a hole in it. Make sure you go past the hole in the rock for the best part of the whole trail. Weve been in the spring, summer and fall. We entered at Center Point trail. All rights reserved. ); callback: cb The Goat Trail is the narrow ledge trail that spurs off of the Centerpoint Trail and takes you out onto Big Bluff. It was so foggy you could not see the river or the mountains, we waited an hour and the fog had lifted. In fact, its so big that it has the distinction of being the tallest sheer bluff face found between the Rocky and Appalachian mountains. If you turn left, you continue on the trail that will take you all the way to Hemmed-in-Hollow. My papa bear on the trail to the right, and Matt is barely visible to the right. The Centerpoint Trail is mostly a forested walk, with the occasional view through the trees of the surrounding area at the beginning. on: function(evt, cb) { Next time we'll go earlier in the year. })(); 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. While the official distance is 5.9 miles on All Trails, our GPS tracked us at just shy of 7 miles. So the return trip was pretty tiring. Is Goat Trail over the Buffalo National River the most dangerous hike in the United States? With million-dollar views, you wont regret your decision to bring your camera and your sense of adventure to trek this iconic hike in the Ozark Mountains. If you stay the night, be very careful when moving along . Loving your adventures and loving these views too! Want to report conditions for this trail? Follow this old road until you see the first obvious fork to the right. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Hwy 43 Firetower Road junction Buffalo National River, Compton, AR 72624. : Jake Thomas Gardipee, 5 Looks like a great hike . Happy hiking! We planned to make it for sunrise at the bluff, so we hit the trail at about 6 am. Just avoid the risky behaviors that could endanger your life, health, and safety. Dont over-pace yourself on the first half, the trip back will demand your stamina lol My husband and I hiked the Compton trail down and then took the old river trail and came out at Centerpoint. event : evt, My wife and I drove down from Springfield Mo after friends told us how great this hike was. If you start this hike in the afternoon, carry a light source just in case you're out after dark. What hotels are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? This, ladies + gentlemen, is my favorite view in Arkansas. When researching this hike we saw this hike called a variety of names. From Boxley, Arkansas (the junction of Highways 21 & 43 in Buffalo National River), travel north on Highway 43 to Ponca, Arkansas. 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 you'll be going all uphill on the way back. Your photos are stunning by the way!