Buffalo National River, Arkansas

The National Park Service of the United States oversees a very diverse collection of sites throughout the country. There are National Parks, National Monuments, National Historic Sites, National Seashores, National Recreation Areas, National Battlefields and much more. The Buffalo River in the Ozark Mountains of northern Arkansas is the first in the country to be designated a National River.

As a National River the Buffalo becomes a kind of 135-mile-long linear Park. Most of this very scenic and pristine free-flowing river is many miles from any road or human habitation. A few points along the the river are easily accessible, and contain historic sites, picnic shelters and camping areas. The stream itself is a magnet for canoeists, rafters, fishermen, and nature lovers of all types.

The Buffalo became a National River in 1972, on the centennial of the establishment of Yellowstone as our nation's first National Park. In so doing, the little-known river escaped years of proposed damming. Today, the Buffalo National River flows unhindered through 95,700 acres of rugged and remote wilderness. Along it's banks are more than more than 100 miles of hiking trails and 14 designated campgrounds containing more than 200 sites. With its clear cool sparkling waters, towering sandstone bluffs, and abundant wildlife, the Buffalo is no no doubt one of America's finest free-flowing rivers.

The beautiful point on the Buffalo River in this photo, near the highway crossing of U.S. 65, is Tyler Bend, perhaps the most visited point on the river. It is readily accessible, and also very beautiful, framed with towering limestone bluffs.

At Tyler Bend you will find several amenities including parking, a picnic area, restrooms and trailheads. There is also an excellent spot for taking canoes or rafts into or out of the river, and a shallow area with smooth stones and pebbles forming the river bottom. This can be a great place for getting wet and cooling down on a hot summer day.