Big Bluff is part of the Buffalo River Trail, so don't think the trail will simply end. 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 have been experimenting with easy hikes lately and I love being in nature. 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. You can do it! We were there in the fall and the river was almost dry. What a beautiful spot for hiking. The Centerpoint to Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in Buffalo National River. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. 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. 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. The Centerpoint Trailhead is located approximately 3 miles north of Ponca, AR, directly across Hwy. 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. A slip could break your leg or neck. } He lived, but it still wasnt a good idea. The later inthe year you get, the lower the Buffalo River gets. Buzzards frequent this area and youllfind feathersalong the trail. I was and am still scared of heights. You can see the Buffalo River Valley and all of its glory. It is also not a place for older kids or adults, for that matter, with a penchant for risk taking or horseplay. Same song, different spillway. From here, it's about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! We got there later in the morning and luckily saw a couple, but from quite a distance. While youll rarely see a wild goat on Big Bluff these days, a few feral goats do still roam the upper Buffalo River wilderness. Big Bluff Trail leads out about a tenth of a mile before coming out on the face of Big Bluff. The campground is a tent-only facility. 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. The fork to the right is NOT MARKED with an obvious trail sign but takes you to the Big Bluff (Goat Trail). The views are definitely worth the hike. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread. TRAIL LENGTH: The trail to Big Bluff is about 6.5 miles roundtrip, but you can also continue on to some other scenic sites, so know where youre going and when to turn around. This hike is not recommended for children under 12 years old. There are several connector routes to different hiking trails in the Buffalo River Valley, making it a very easy place to spend a lot of time outdoors. Youll have fun. what does greyson mean in the bible Ponca, AR 72670, 1 (870) 861-5514 Its truly something to marvel at. A great hike for a group. My husband and I hiked the Compton trail down and then took the old river trail and came out at Centerpoint. Youll start to walk along a more narrow trail, with a rock wall on your left. Views from the bluffs are incomparable, and it served as the perfect place to catch up on some reading on a beautiful sunny day. From the parking lot to Big Bluff, the trail travels mostly downhill, so it's important to conserve energy, drinking water, and snacks for the uphill hike back to your car. The view from the top is spectacular, but the hike has its dangers. Be sure to continue on past the rock formation with the eyehole to access the Goat Trail. Thanks for reading. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. The ledge at the end is wide enough for two people to walk side by side without being too close to the edge. Dont avoid these gorgeous places. Its a downhill trek until you get to the Goat Trail, but it never felt super steep. And now back to the bluff There are a few caves where thebluff overhangs. Just dont fall off. The Centerpoint Trail leads into the rugged Ponca Wilderness of Buffalo National River. Woo! We hope it helps you plan an epic adventure in the Buffalo National River! These views show, not only how narrow the ledge gets, but also how tall that bluff is above you. This is a video and some pictures of Big Bluff/Goats trail/bluff in Arkansas. Go out as early as you can because a) tiny parking lot and b) massive numbers of NPCs taking up space and being rude. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. The differences between your fall and summer pics are so stunning! 6.5 miles sounds like the perfect distance for a day trip , Had no idea you could see such beauty in Arkansas. Are you looking for an incredible hike with epic views and relatively minimal scrambling in the Ozarks? This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. Stay warm up there! There will be a tree with signage telling you to go to the right to start the Goat Trail. 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. Beautiful weather and scenery! 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. (Sa. Note that with no foliage on the trees it's pretty warm out. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. 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! Hiking back was no joke! I love hoking & camping. 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. On Tuesday, I decided to make my second hike out to the "big" bluff (this week). YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. 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. All Rights Reserved. dont go if its wet. It's approximately 6.5 miles round trip and moderately hard due to the loose rocks and incline. As for photography, weve found the best time to capture Big Bluff is in the afternoon once the sun has moved into mid-afternoon position, say 3:00 PM or so. 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. From this fork is where the rocky bluff begins so you can hike to Big Bluff along the Goat Trail. The Centerpoint trail is broad and easy to walk, although like so many trails in mountainous Buffalo River country, its basically uphill all the way back (2.5 miles). Love Arkansas? Trail is nicely marked, going back up is not that bad! Hiking out to the bluffs is pretty much downhill all the way, making the hike back completely uphill. Then the trail dips down for the next 1.5 miles or so and then comes back up. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Restaurants near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail: Attractions near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail: 99% of travelers recommend this experience. This trail will take you all the way to Hemmed-in-Hollow Falls if you want to lump those two sites into one day.TRAILHEAD LOCATION: The hike to Big Bluff starts at the Centerpoint Trailhead which is located near Possum Trot right off of Highway 43.TRAIL DIFFICULTY: This trail is decently steep and once you get to Big Bluff it becomes just a narrow, rocky ledge. The view of the Buffalo River from Big Bluff. We are so happy Arkansas / Campgrounds. Steep 2.5 mile hike out- but the trail is beautiful and worth the effort. There is really only one long stretch back up hill that is hard, but otherwise the climb back up wasnt that bad. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Taking in a panoramic view while gettingsome shade! We hiked here mid-week during early December, and the weather was perfect. Its very steep, and very dangerous. We skipped the falls so that we would have some daylight to set up camp. Learn how your comment data is processed. The trail crosses on a shelf of the bluff, which has a great view of the valley but which is narrow at points. Thanks for your support! Same trail in same trial out. The mountains that surround the area are also very beautiful! 3.5 miles north of Ponca, on hwy 43. The hike down to Big Bluff is relatively easy, though rocky. Well worth it, but don't underestimate the hike out. The trail's destination is the Big Bluff overlooking the Buffalo River. Ashlee Fechino is an outdoor recreation and travel writer and founder of The Happiness Function. The trail is downhill all the way to Big Bluff, so the hike back to the parking lot is all uphill. While the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, as well as the Buffalo National River, is accessible year round, specific times of the year and certain weather will make the trail more enjoyable.Because the trail has drop offs and exposed areas, which we will discuss more in a second, we would not recommend hiking this trail if it has rained a lot or if there is any ice, as the rocky ledges may be slick and you could accidentally slip and injure yourself.Visiting the Buffalo National River in the late spring or early summer will be your best bet to see lots of waterfalls. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! It gets its name from the feral descendents of domesticated goats (brought here by pioneers) who either escaped captivity or were turned loose in the wilderness and eventually became wild. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Would love to hike the Big Bluff Goat Trail with my family! Took lots breaks on the way back but it was very doable. Buffalo Outdoor Center 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. Hiked on February 6 2023. 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. Just a few other people. Service animals permitted. This trail is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the state, & for good reason. Attractions & Museums from $12.77 per adult WhoDunnit Hoedown: Murder Mystery Dinner Show in Branson 112 Dinner and Show Tickets from $50.19 per adult The area Hwy 43 Firetower Road junction Buffalo National River, Compton, AR 72624 Full view Best nearby Attractions 6 within 6 miles Buffalo National River Park 292 1.5 miNational Parks It is important to note that Goat Trail is not a place for those afraid of heights. best selling phones in japan 2021; gatlinburg fire juveniles names; lowrider magazine back issues; my teacher teaches like because she simile. Looks like such a lovely hike!! You most likely wont see any while youre there, but they do roam somewhere out there!Once getting onto the Goat Trail, the scenery starts to get more interesting. Definitely recommend! Youll know when you get to Big Bluff because the views of the Buffalo are epic! With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! This, ladies + gentlemen, is my favorite view in Arkansas. Although there are no waterfalls on this trail, there are quite a few in the area, so itll give you more options of hikes to do before or after. Shortly after our arrival at Big Bluff, it became quite clear that a storm was rolling in, and fast. 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. 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. Please read ourfull disclosurefor more information. Trail was a little muddy but nothing terrible. 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. 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. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. But even more importantly, make sure you have bags to put your trash in so you can pack out what you brought. haha. The best reason for going in the spring, though, is the sheer beauty of springtime in the Ozarks. Centerpoint Trail continues straight here if by chance you are uninterested in the view from the cliff. 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. 90 minute drive got us to the Centerpoint trailhead. Thats the downside of being from a tropical country haha.. never getting to see changes of season at home. Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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! Your email address will not be published. If you begin this hike in the afternoon, please carry a light source just in case you hike out after dark. The trail ends at the juncture of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. There are two campgrounds relatively close to the Centerpoint Trailhead. From that entry point most of the trail is . Bicycles are permitted only on authorized trails: Creamery Meadow and Ridge trails. When you get out to the bluff it does get a little narrow my 11 year old didn't feel comfortable going thru that spot so we turned around there maybe 100yds from the end. However, the Buffalo National River is just one of the many things to see and do in this area. Weve been in the spring, summer and fall. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. However, the Goat Trail runs along this cliff face at around 340 feet above the river. On paper it might seem that way, but in action it's just a gorgeo. Here are a few recommendations for lodging near the hike, as well as the other activities nearby! She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. This looks like a great hike to do, but Im really not great with heights so Im not sure how Id feel about some of the narrow ledges and paths. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. But please dont lean over and topple onto the ground below. The Buffalo National River is a designated International Dark Sky Park, recognizing and protecting its exceptionally dark and starry skies. I crossed the river 4 or 5 times from one side to the other and walked for an hour without finding anyone. This was one of my top five hikes ever!! The view is spectacular and I did not find it as dangerous as the web says. Truly awesome place for hiking. Great view. 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. When we set out in the morning, there was rain in the forecast. Cant wait to start travelling around the US again! Follow along on her adventures - big and small - across this beautiful world. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. If you love hiking in the wilderness, then youll love hiking the Centerpoint Trail to Big Bluff. 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! - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! The Goat Trail and Big Bluff. Enjoy the view but use extreme caution on Big Bluff. After about 2.6 miles, youll reach a clearing with a campfire ring, where you will want to hang a right to take Goat Trail along the edge of Big Bluff. Awesome trail. It can be easy to miss. Just saying.. am I the only one wondering that? Average hiking time is 4 to 6 hours. Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! This is not a place for folks with vertigo or a dislike of heights. It was a little over 6.5 miles roundtrip taking the Goat Trail to the Big Bluff with around a 1000 ft. descent going in and a 1000 ft. ascent coming back. If you start this hike in the afternoon, carry a light source just in case you're out after dark. This 1 2/3-mile hike offers a twist on the Bluff Trail, going along and just above the coast of Montaa de Oro State Park. You will need an AllTrails Pro membership to download maps, which is $30 a year and so worth it! I want to do Big Bluff in the spring next year so I can see the river at a nice, high point so you can really see thathorseshoe bend! Wed suggest starting the hike early so you can enjoy the bluff without a lot of people, which will make it feel safer and more enjoyable.Although, we will agree, if you do not like heights, you may not love Big Bluff. Such beautiful views reminds me a lot of the hikes we do on the NSW South Coast of Australia very similar views. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. I love hiking and exploring new trails. The most popular hiking destination from Centerpoint is Big Bluff, which features a panoramic vista of the Buffalo River and surrounding wilderness. You can choose from RV sites, a tent area, or a platform tent, where you can pay extra to have a bed.