Love Arkansas? But even more importantly, make sure you have bags to put your trash in so you can pack out what you brought. This, ladies + gentlemen, is my favorite view in Arkansas. Buzzards frequent this area and youllfind feathersalong the trail. Check out our other articles related to hiking and camping in Arkansas: Feel free to leave us a comment below if you have any questions. Youll know you made it when you see the rocky ledge that curves around the bluff, with open and incredible views of the Buffalo National River! : Jake Thomas Gardipee, 5 AllTrails rates this trail as hard; however, I would argue that it is more of a moderate hike. It poured the entirety of the hike back to our car, ironically ceasing only once we arrived at the parking area. The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is 5.9 miles roundtrip and has an elevation change of 1,076 feet. 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. From here, its about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. The main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. 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). Next time we'll go earlier in the year. Techno-Tainment Combo in Branson, Dublin's Irish Tenors and The Celtic Ladies, Great Woodsman Zipline Canopy Tour Branson. This trail is also not a place for young children. This creek level is OK. Feel free to splash around in water levels two or three times this highjust know that flash flooding is a real problem in the springtime, and water levels can rise suddenly. Will travel for tacos, BBQ, & ice cream The ledge trail to the big bluff, called Goat Trail, is not maintained by the National Park Service. Yes, its beautiful. Big Bluff Goat Trail | northern Arkansas | - YouTube Welcome back! })(); 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. We booked an RV site here the night before hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff and while we didnt get to enjoy the amenities due to arriving late, the property is VERY nice, the bathrooms are clean, and they even have a store and restaurant on site. Highly recommend, for older/experienced hikers. Users of the outdoors website All Trails rated Cougar Crest 4.5 out of 5 stars and listed it as "moderate." Related Articles Hiking out to the bluffs is pretty much downhill all the way, making the hike back completely uphill. As we mentioned above, there are some ledges, some of which are somewhat narrow, especially at Big Bluff. Hope all is well up north. Park at the Center Point trailhead. Although there are several ways to . Had we visited a week or two sooner, we can only imagine how even more gorgeous it wouldve been! Centerpoint to Big Bluff Trail Overlook. Like 900 ft. Go down the goat trail to enjoo ok y one of the best views in the Ozarks. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan There are no permits required or day-use fees. It is not very steep. 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 rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location. Thanks for sharing. Spring is my favorite time of year to go anywhere in the Ozarks for multiple reasons. It is best to get here around sunrise or close to sunset to have the best chance to see some elk. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. It is important to note that Goat Trail is not a place for those afraid of heights. Hello from the Florida Keys! We love hiking in the late fall and during the middle of the week to beat the crowds. Length : 6 miles roundtrip, 4 hours. 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/ The payoff is the bluffs, which are beautiful. Located just 6 minutes from the trailhead, JB Trading Co is a great spot to call home in the Buffalo National River. From Ponca, drive 3 miles north on Hwy 43 to the Centerpoint Trailhead, located at the Firetower Road junction. Every year residents of Northwest Arkansas and the river valley hear about Beaver Lake tragedies on the local news. At 550 feet, its the larges bluff face between the Rockies and Appalachians. 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. more information Accept. Difficulty : Moderate to Strenuous. This 5-mile out and back hike ventures up a coastal canyon at the south end of Montaa de Oro State Park. The hardest part of the trail looks like an old gravel bed with a lot of loose rocks. event : evt, We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! Pass Ponca and travel up a significant uphill. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. Way in seemed harder than the way out Lots of rocks to clamber over. The trail map claims 3 miles to the start of Big Bluff from the Center-point Trail Head. Besides, the long hike out will be a struggle for them (and you). Make sure you go past the hole in the rock for the best part of the whole trail. Check out our article with FREE apps we use to plan outdoor adventures hiking, camping, and road tripping all the time! Big Bluff is part of the Buffalo River Trail, so don't think the trail will simply end. The footbridge will be re-installed in late-Spring 2023. Trail was a little muddy but nothing terrible. This hiking seems fun in Arkansas. FREE apps we use to plan outdoor adventures, 5 Best Places to Camp Along the Arkansas Buffalo River (Upper District), 12 Hiking Trails in Arkansas You Cannot Miss, The Perfect Weekend at Mount Nebo State Park, Plan the Best Weekend at Devils Den State Park, The Ultimate Guide to Petit Jean State Park, How to Reach Hawksbill Crag Hiking the Whitaker Point Trail, Lost Valley Trail: Incredible Hike to Cob Cave and a Waterfall . We started early in the day to ensure we got parking in the lot. It was so foggy you could not see the river or the mountains, we waited an hour and the fog had lifted. Sharing our experiences in the wilderness and what we learn along the way. I love hoking & camping. Great photos! 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. Thanks for reading. 6.5 mile roundtrip and gorgeous views this looks like my kinda hike hehe. 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. 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. Our response to COVID-19: Our team is committed to providing a safe and memorable experience for guests and staff. You will have a BLAST hiking in the Ozarks. Now going back to your car is an uphill incline. This hike is not recommended for children under 12 years old. Based on reviews, I was nervous about the height and narrowness of the bluffs and the hike on the way out. And the highlight of our time there was hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff (watch our experience)! 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. highly encourage everyone to see this. We did encounter a herd of wild boars, but they ran off right away. Round trip 6.5 miles is a good morning hike, and I like the option to add on. From that entry point most of the trail is . ! Take caution if crossing it. It was so beautiful! 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. 360122 N 932147 W Again, avoid is a strong word. It is not recommended for kids or those afraid of heights. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! It is not advisable to bring children, liquor, or reckless behavior on this hike. All Rights Reserved. Have fun. Before you read any further, we wanted to clear up the trails name. She's a road trip aficionado, an avid hiker, lover of learning + culture and an all-around wanderess. 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. Super safe trail until after you get past the eye and then it starts to feel a bit sketchy but worth it. 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. 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. It was an awesome experience. Avoid the stress of forgetting camping and hiking essentials with our handy guide. I didnt know such a trail existed in this part of the country. Service animals permitted. From here, it's about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. On paper it might seem that way, but in action it's just a gorgeo. 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. 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. These views are amazing. These views show, not only how narrow the ledge gets, but also how tall that bluff is above you. She loves sharing her adventures both big & small. Since the return hike is all uphill, youll definitely want some water, especially if you hike on a hot, sunny day! 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). Contact Us, 8 am 6 pm | Mar Oct This iconic hike is located within the Ponca Wilderness, which is a very remote area in Northern Arkansas. The majority are first-come, first-served and some are free to stay at. Loved the hike back up. I think this is my favorite Big Bluff photo because it really shows just how big thisbluff is. But please dont lean over and topple onto the ground below. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information. Shortly after our arrival at Big Bluff, it became quite clear that a storm was rolling in, and fast. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. The parking lot for the Centerpoint Trailhead fills up quickly. We love our Camelbak bladder for hikes because it stores a ton of water and its easy to drink while moving. There are two campgrounds relatively close to the Centerpoint Trailhead. Dont avoid these gorgeous places. 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! Get more stories delivered right to your email. 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. Thats the downside of being from a tropical country haha.. never getting to see changes of season at home. OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. Its challenging but Im not an athlete and it was just hard enough. What attractions are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? Hi Marianne thanks for reading and leaving a comment. We hope it helps you plan an epic adventure in the Buffalo National River! There is a dedicated parking lot for the hike which has room for probably about 15 cars. To get to the Goat Trail, start the hike from Centerpoint Trailhead. Its truly something to marvel at. Designed & Developed by SoloPine.com, The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Big Bluff is absolutely a trail that should not be missed. 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. A little muddy, but no traction needed. This is another trail on which youll want to have plenty of water and a hearty snack along, as well as possess a reasonably good physical fitness level in order to enjoy. In 2007, a man really did that. This looks like an amazing place to hike. You can do it! Dont over-pace yourself on the first half, the trip back will demand your stamina lol Published by on October 31, 2021. Please read ourfull disclosurefor more information. When researching this hike we saw this hike called a variety of names. 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. The Buffalo National River is a designated International Dark Sky Park, recognizing and protecting its exceptionally dark and starry skies. 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. And , Many people love mushrooms. For our first trip to Northwest Arkansas, we only had the opportunity to hike one trail. We only saw about 6 people on our way back and ended up getting back to the van in about 3 hours. It is considered the tallest along the Buffalo at over 500 ft. tall. What hotels are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? We left our little hikers at home for this one as its definitely more of a challenge and a bit treacherous at spots. Big Spring, Blue Spring, and Falling Spring, Dr. Edmund A. Babler Memorial State Park: Suburban Mushroom Heaven, Three Creeks Conservation Area: A Columbia Favorite, Why I Mushroom Hunt: A Scientists Perspective on Foraging, Amazing Health Benefits of Eating Wild Mushrooms, Sustainable Mushroom Foraging, and Why its so Important, Whites Creek Trail: An Incredible Hub of Biodiversity. There are already a lot of great resources out there to help provide you with . Youll hear and read the route called different names, but they all mean the same thing. 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. Goat Trail is on our list this fall! But it is a gradual incline the whole way. Hikers wishing to access the beach, Creamery Meadow, Ridge, Bluffs, Panorama and Spring trails will need to ford the Big Sur River. } Just saying.. am I the only one wondering that? I love getting outdoors and into the wilderness. I have been experimenting with easy hikes lately and I love being in nature. Hiking the Big Bluff Goat Trail from the Centerpoint Trailhead is about a 6 mile hike. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and fishing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Not super wet until you hit the couple of runoff areas. Trail maps say big bluff is just .8 miles long before it abruptly ends, but this is far from the truth. Its the spring, and theres no better place in the world to be. 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. I love hiking the view is always worth the trek! Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Never been to Arkansas but would love to visit this trail. I love hiking and exploring new trails. 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. Head down the gravel path, which turns into an old homestead road covered in leaf litter. Twenty campers died in a flash flood in 2010. There are about 800 Rocky Mountain elk, which were brought to the area to replace the Eastern elk that had gone extinct. Check out our channel to get outdoor adventure inspiration! 2015 - Solo Pine. 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 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 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. 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! These are thing we (or our travel companions) have used and recommend specifically for the Big Bluff trail. With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! Small gravel parking lot. Its not a good idea to lean over the top of a mountain, for example. (Sa. This was one of my top five hikes ever!! Looks like a great place to hike and some amazing views for your rewards. You will certainly get some great pics of the river, the bluffs and the hills beyond. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. Fantastic scenery! It was muddy but oh so worth it! Great hiking. OK, lets talk about the ledge trail (or Goat Trail) on Big Bluff for a moment. Hiking to Big Bluff: The hike takes from 4 to 5 hours to complete round trip if you're in decent shape. As of last count, Beaver Lake had claimed 120 lives. 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! Inside them are nice spots for some shade. Your email address will not be published. No restrooms there, but a decent gas stop and convenience store was just a short distance before we got there. Average hiking time is 4 to 6 hours. About 0.25 miles from the Goat Trail turn off, youll reach Big Bluff! 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! Make reservations at recreation.gov online or on the app. 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. He was correct. The Goat Trail and Big Bluff. There is little to no cellphone reception in the area except at the top of the hill near the trailhead. The Buffalo National River is home to a few more traditional campgrounds. As long as youre cautious, youll be totally fine! window.mc4wp.listeners.push( Just dont fall off. Would do again! Steep 2.5 mile hike out- but the trail is beautiful and worth the effort. Spring is just magic. Hi Alex yes, it is definitely a bucket list hike! 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. 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. We hiked this trail the other day. Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! Just avoid the risky behaviors that could endanger your life, health, and safety. 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. The views look outstanding in the sun shine and your pictures really bring the images to life as they jump off the page at me, Wow, such beautiful views! Overall a great trail despite the death of the last huge incline going out. Four months ago, Eric and I took a weekend trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for one last hurrah just before his knee surgery. We wanted to share a few things to consider before your trekking journey to stay safe. Its also home to waterfalls, rocky hikes, mountain views, valleys, the states only herd of elk, and so much more! Since the area is managed by the National Park Service, drones are not allowed in the Buffalo National River, including on the Goat Trail to Big Bluff. This post contains affiliate links, which means well receive a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. Only reason for the 4 stars is the return was all uphill the whole way and that snow and ice on the trail was much more an issue. The spur trail (Goat Trail) to Big Bluff is off to the right of the fire ring. It sure looks like it was worth it for those stunning views though. It is downhill almost the whole way, and we ran into plenty of other hikers already headed back from the cliff. Not only are they an incredibly diverse kingdom of organisms, but many are also very delicious. 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. Your photos are stunning by the way! Are you looking for an incredible hike with epic views and relatively minimal scrambling in the Ozarks? Where were the goats though?? There will be a tree with signage telling you to go to the right to start the Goat Trail. Happy hiking! When we set out in the morning, there was rain in the forecast. The trail is an old logging trail and can be rocky at times. Enjoy the lake, folks, but be careful. Required fields are marked *. Enjoy this 9.5-km out-and-back trail near Ponca, Arkansas. You can see the Buffalo River Valley and all of its glory. We arrived at the Centerpoint Trailhead bright and early on a Monday morning in November. This is a video and some pictures of Big Bluff/Goats trail/bluff in Arkansas. However, the Goat Trail runs along this cliff face at around 340 feet above the river. This is a popular hike and can be pretty busy on the weekends. Nine of those deaths took place in 2014. fantastic, breathtaking and simply a must see! We love creating short videos so you can visualize the trail conditions before your trip.