What you should actually avoid is engaging in risky behavior. Looking for a good home base to explore the Buffalo National River and hike the Goat Trail to Big Bluff? Although you are way above the river on the bluffs, I felt like the bluffs were wide enough to feel safe and it was not slippery at all. There's a spur off the Centerpoint Trail called Goat Trail, which leads to Big Bluff, a bluff over 500 ft tall and considered the tallest bluff along the Buffalo River. My husband and I hiked the Compton trail down and then took the old river trail and came out at Centerpoint. 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. The hike down to Big Bluff is relatively easy, though rocky. The footbridge will be re-installed in late-Spring 2023. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Haha we love you! Unfortunately, we picked one of the hottest days of the year. I have to add this to my list of my must-do hikes so I dont forget. Based on reviews, I was nervous about the height and narrowness of the bluffs and the hike on the way out. 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! 3.5 miles north of Ponca, on hwy 43. This trail is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the state, & for good reason. Website built with love byDreamworthy Design. From here, its about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. We did encounter a herd of wild boars, but they ran off right away. Seriously, watch that water coming down out of the mountains. A little muddy at spots, and steep climb coming back, but absolutely worth the trek. You can choose from RV sites, a tent area, or a platform tent, where you can pay extra to have a bed. 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. We'll be sharing monthly travel tips and our favorite places to help you plan the best road trips, hiking, and camping! Nine of those deaths took place in 2014. Length : 6 miles roundtrip, 4 hours. 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. The campground does not have showers. The hike from Centerpoint Trailhead to Big Bluff is approximately 6 miles round-trip. Buzzards tend to be the wildlife one sees on Big Bluff or at least an abundance of the gray down feathers youll find scattered about where they roost. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Will definitely hike it again. Each is a beautiful and unique experience. The views of the Buffalo River were great. Id love to visit this place twice so itll be hard to choose even when to go once. You can see the Buffalo River Valley and all of its glory. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. Great hiking. With cabins, RV sites, and even lodges that can sleep 30+ people, there are a variety of accommodations. Hiking to Big Bluff: The hike takes from 4 to 5 hours to complete round trip if you're in decent shape. You could likely squeeze through this hole, but wed suggest going down below it on the more traditional trail to get around it. And now back to the bluff There are a few caves where thebluff overhangs. I love hiking and exploring new trails. The "Goat Trail" to Big Bluff is narrow and dangerous; visitors should proceed with extreme caution when hiking this section of trail. From the Centerpoint Trailhead, it is about a 1-hour hike to the spur trail that takes you out onto Big Bluff. Weve been in the spring, summer and fall. event : evt, Hiked on February 6 2023. Come along with us as we start at the Buffalo Outdoor Center Cabins, wake up early to take on the Center Point Trial to the Goat Trail eventually reaching the site of interest, Big Bluff, and give you our takeaways from the hike.What is the most sketchy hike you have ever done? SUBSCRIBE TO NOMADIC WEEKENDERS ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/c/NomadicWeekenders?sub_confirmation=1Shoot location listed below: Buffalo National River, Arkansas, USA Ozark National Forest, Arkansas, USA Center Point Trail, Arkansas, USA Goat Trail, Arkansas, USA Big Bluff, Arkansas, USAEquipment and software used to make this video listed below: DJI Mavic Air Canon Rebel T6i iPhone XS GoPro Hero 7 Black Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2017Get to know the Nomadic Weekenders:Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadicweekenders/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NomadWeekenders Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NomadicWeekenders/ Check out our blog: https://www.nomadicweekenders.com/ Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information. Beautiful weather and scenery! 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. forms: { The Buffalo Outdoor Center also offers cabin rentals if camping isnt your cup of tea. The spur trails connect the Centerpoint trail with the Chimney Rock Trail, Sneeds Creek Trail, Big Bluff Trail, Compton Loop Trail, and Hemmed-in Hollow Trail. And for goodness sake, please dont drink and boat. The Hike Final thoughts CenterPoint Trail to Goat Trail to Big Bluff The trail to Big Bluff covers 5.9 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1,076 feet. 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. Big Bluff is actually the tallest sheer bluff face between the Rocky and Appalachian Mountains and once you reach it, youll understand why this hike is so popular. We are so happy Arkansas / Campgrounds. Ozark Cabins has quite a few properties around the Buffalo National River, including some right across from the trailhead. I wasn't sure we would be up to tackling it but hubby and I are so glad we did. You will have a BLAST hiking in the Ozarks. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. The trailhead is located on the right at 3.5 miles. In this hiking guide were sharing all of the details about hiking to Big Bluff on the Goat Trail, including where to start, trail stats, things to know before you go, our experience, as well as some other spots to check out nearby. Thanks for your support! Her goal is to help inspire people to build a life they love by sharing how simple and fun it is to travel locally, connect with nature, and explore off-the-beaten-path. If you are not familiar with the area, we recommended downloading maps for offline use or having a topo map (we have this one). Adam, Kathryn, & Kona Thanks for the support. We skipped the falls so that we would have some daylight to set up camp. Such a cool trail! The round trip was about 6 miles ( some easy, some over and around rocks and boulders and some only a couple feet wide between the cliff wall and a couple hundred feet drop off the edge). The goat trail is narrow, but is not dangerous if you are paying attention. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as MileValue.com, Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. Youll probably want bug spray in the summer. The river water has a clear, blue color, which contrasted super nicely with the yellow and orange leaves we witnessed. The Goat Trail takes hikers along the narrow edge of Big Bluff with a sheer vertical drop to the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas. Great views, great scenery,. I never thought Arkansas had such beauty. The area was incredibly remote and quiet. Avoid the stress of forgetting camping and hiking essentials with our handy guide. 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. Super safe trail until after you get past the eye and then it starts to feel a bit sketchy but worth it. What gorgeous views! The campground is a tent-only facility. The Centerpoint Trail is mostly a forested walk, with the occasional view through the trees of the surrounding area at the beginning. The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Big Bluff is absolutely a trail that should not be missed. They camp in their Aliner often and love road trips and hiking. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Its a downhill trek until you get to the Goat Trail, but it never felt super steep. window.mc4wp.listeners.push( 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 . 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. Even if you dont make it to the narrow ledge this is still a super spectacular view! The next day we woke up and left our packs in the tent by the river and hiked up to the falls. Big Bluff demands we all be on our best behavior in exchange for enjoying one of the most lofty views of the Buffalo National River accessible by hiking trail. the hike in is nothing spectacular but man the destination cant be beat! This location does not have a restroom. Steep 2.5 mile hike out- but the trail is beautiful and worth the effort. 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 :). In 2015, an intrepid hiker tried just that, fell through the hole, and had to be airlifted to the hospital. dont go if its wet. These are thing we (or our travel companions) have used and recommend specifically for the Big Bluff trail. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The Happiness Function, LLC 2023. All Rights Reserved. She loves sharing her adventures both big & small. And Big Bluff is true to its name: at 550 feet tall, it's the highest point along the Buffalo River and allows for a stunning view of the water below. Ive visited Big Bluff multiple times now. And similar to West Virginia, we think this area is majorly underrated and a hidden gem! We hope it helps you plan an epic adventure in the Buffalo National River! Bring bug spray! Youll start to walk along a more narrow trail, with a rock wall on your left. We hope yall have a blast! Looking for more things to do in Arkansas? 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. Its almost time to hit the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, but before you go, here are a few more things to be aware of, including some rules, parking info, and more! Truly awesome place for hiking. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) The majority are first-come, first-served and some are free to stay at. The Centerpoint to Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in Buffalo National River. After some of our close friends explored the state earlier this year, we realized how gorgeous it was and made it a top priority for the fall on our way back to Texas.We kicked off our time in the state mountain biking and exploring Bentonville before heading down to the Buffalo National River area for some hiking. Love Arkansas? This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The fork to the right is NOT MARKED with an obvious trail sign but takes you to the Big Bluff (Goat Trail). If you start this hike in the afternoon, carry a light source just in case you're out after dark. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Find more places to camp along the Arkansas Buffalo River (Upper District) here. Round trip 6.5 miles is a good morning hike, and I like the option to add on. The Big Bluff Trail and it's smaller tributary, the Goat Trail are approximately a four- to five-hour round-trip hike with a final destination of Big Bluff. Pets are not permitted on trails in the Ponca Wilderness of Buffalo National River. Dogs are only allowed at campgrounds, on the river, and on the gravel bars, but must be on leash. Ponca, AR 72670, 1 (870) 861-5514 J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. You can find more info about where dogs are allowed at the Buffalo National River here. 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. fantastic, breathtaking and simply a must see! Awesome trail run today. Every year residents of Northwest Arkansas and the river valley hear about Beaver Lake tragedies on the local news. It is open year-round. Make reservations at recreation.gov online or on the app. a snack to enjoy at the end of the trail. Incredible photography! ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. ! } 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! There is not much cell service in the area and its helpful to track your progress on the trail, as well as verify the route if needed. The Goat Trail and Big Bluff. Again, avoid is a strong word. Hi yall! 3. I love hiking the view is always worth the trek! Spring is my favorite time of year to go anywhere in the Ozarks for multiple reasons. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan Our response to COVID-19: Our team is committed to providing a safe and memorable experience for guests and staff. We unfortunately only had one day in the area, but we tried to squeeze in as much as we could. 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. Its great to see something you can do with the whole family too even if your mum was scared stiff! 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! Your email address will not be published. Since this is a little over 6-mile hike, that makes it a more pleasant experience. The spur trail (Goat Trail) to Big Bluff is off to the right of the fire ring. 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. The main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. The spur trail (Goat Trail) to Big Bluff is off to the right of the fire ring. Big Bluff is an incredible hike in Northwest Arkansas that takes you to the aptly named, you guessed it, Big Bluff. Then the trail dips down for the next 1.5 miles or so and then comes back up. It was so foggy you could not see the river or the mountains, we waited an hour and the fog had lifted. Since we started the hike early and were the first ones on the trail, we had Big Bluff all to ourselves, which made the experience even better! Very rocky getting down but doable. There were plenty of spots when we got there (8AM) and when we left (noon). No conditions reported in the past 7 days. , Fungi are amazing. If you love hiking in the wilderness, then youll love hiking the Centerpoint Trail to Big Bluff. 6.5 miles sounds like the perfect distance for a day trip , Had no idea you could see such beauty in Arkansas. To get to the Goat Trail, start the hike from Centerpoint Trailhead. Its the spring, and theres no better place in the world to be. 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. Consequently, plan extra time on the hike out as it's all uphill. On paper it might seem that way, but in action it's just a gorgeo. Trails at Andrew Molera State Park allow for bicycling and hiking. What restaurants are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? Amina you would have fun hiking here! The Springtime Jonquil Festival In Arkansas Thats Unlike Any Other, Spend A Magical Evening Savoring This Wine And Fondue Experience In Arkansas, Arkansas Oldest Drive-In Theater Is Hiding In A Small Town And Youll Want To Visit, Dine At The Historic Spot In Arkansas Where The Legendary Gangster Al Capone Drank Whiskey, Here Are The 6 Biggest Risks Living In The State Of Arkansas, This Recent Arkansas Phenomenon Is Shrouded In Mystery And Baffling Geologists, 10 Terrifying Things In Arkansas That Can (And Just Might) Kill You, This Waterfall Swimming Hole In Arkansas Is Perfect For A Summer Day. No restrooms there, but a decent gas stop and convenience store was just a short distance before we got there. I turned around about 3 miles on at the hole in the rock cause I was getting pretty tired and it seemed too sketchy for my Midwestern self. Thank you! Parking lot is at a crossroads and the trail is clearly marked. The best! Running water and flushing toilets operate seasonally. From the trailhead 3 miles north of Ponca, AR, it's about a 6 mile hike and about 900 feet down to the Goat Trail and is one of Arkansas' must see locations.. But the best part is that its all located on a great property with a store for your adventure needs and access to tons of activities, like kayaking, ziplining, mountain biking, and close proximity to hikes! Centerpoint to Big Bluff Trail Overlook. In summer, its hard to get this view through all of the leaves. Super tight view all the same. He was correct. 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. You don't have to spend a lot of money or use a ton of vacation time to explore close to home. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! Pass Ponca and travel up a significant uphill. Thanks for the great guide. Contact Us, 8 am 6 pm | Mar Oct If you turn left, you continue on the trail that will take you all the way to Hemmed-in-Hollow. You can see a list of the sites, as well as their season dates, amenities, and other details here! From this fork is where the rocky bluff begins so you can hike to Big Bluff along the Goat Trail. You'll have a very scenic look over the Buffalo River valley, the river flows all the way through the Ozark Mountains, but exercise extreme caution as people have died falling off the trail. On Tuesday, I decided to make my second hike out to the "big" bluff (this week). You should go forth and explore the Natural States breathtaking beauty. Also, wed love to hear if youve hiked the Goat Trail in Arkansas or if it is on your bucket list! Big Bluff Trail leads out about a tenth of a mile before coming out on the face of Big Bluff. We love hiking in the late fall and during the middle of the week to beat the crowds. The Goat Trail is the narrow ledge trail that spurs off of the Centerpoint Trail and takes you out onto Big Bluff. I have never been big into hiking but the more I see these photos, the more I want to get out there and do it full on. I have an 8 year old thats an experienced hiker that I will bring back. There are over 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatn Penin, One of our favorite ways to experience a new place, Things to do in Hot Springs National Park, What to bring to hike the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, Things to know before hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, Our Experience Hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, Where to stay to hike the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, Other spots to check out in the Buffalo National River. The parking lot for the Centerpoint Trailhead fills up quickly. In fact, its so big that it has the distinction of being the tallest sheer bluff face found between the Rocky and Appalachian mountains. We planned to make it for sunrise at the bluff, so we hit the trail at about 6 am. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. Hiking back was no joke! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. Because they look so vastly different, Im going to share them separately so you can see the difference. Had we visited a week or two sooner, we can only imagine how even more gorgeous it wouldve been! We entered at Center Point trail. Documented service animals welcome. Hotels near Fort Smith Municipal Airport (FSM), Motels near Fort Smith Municipal Airport (FSM), Things to do near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail, Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch & Adventure Park, Budapest Small-Group Day Trip from Vienna, Half Day Zanzibar Mnemba Atoll Marine Reserve Snorkeling Tour, Small-Group Dallas and Fort Worth City Sightseeing Tour, Venice City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Tour, 3 Days Desert Tour from Fes to Marrakech via Merzouga, Make Your Own Pizza in Rome - Pizza Making with a local Chef, Amber Cove & Taino Bay Shore Excursion, Private Charter on Blue Sky Catamaran, *NEW* BUFFALO RIVER VALLEY VIEWS-5MIN FROM PONCA! Overall a great trail despite the death of the last huge incline going out. 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. 360122 N 932147 W The view from the top is spectacular, but the hike has its dangers. The Centerpoint to Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in Buffalo National River. We left our little hikers at home for this one as its definitely more of a challenge and a bit treacherous at spots. We love creating short videos so you can visualize the trail conditions before your trip. All writing and photos belong to For the Love of Wanderlust unless otherwise stated, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on StumbleUpon (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Things to Do in Eureka Springs - Arkansas's Hippie Town, Travel Backpack Review: Classic 28L Bag by CabinZero, The Elephant House - Edinburgh, Scotland - A Harry Potter Pilgrimage, 7 Types of Exploration You Should Try At Least Once. 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. Next time we'll go earlier in the year. It can be easy to miss. Great day on the trail. Although there are several ways to reach Goat Trail, which follows along the edge of Big Bluff, Centerpoint Trail is arguably the most popular route. We arrived to the goat trail at about 9 AM. 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.