10 of the Best Things to Do During Summer in Buffalo River Country | Buffalo Outdoor Center

Summer is here! Any getaway to Buffalo River Country this time of year certainly won’t have a shortage of recreational oppurtunities. The warmer weather encourages a wide-ranging variety of activities that everyone can enjoy and create lasting memories, but with so many options finding the right ones can take a little thought and planning. That’s why we’ve put together this list of our ten favorite ways to experience Summer around Ponca! Choose a few, and you might just find your own favorites here too:

Swimming Holes

Sultry weather and cool water naturally go together during the summertime. Even when the Buffalo National River is too low for floating it still offers a plethora of options for swimming in the cool collected waters of its Swimming Holes. Steel Creek is a great spot to start your swimming hole hunt with multiple spots situated beneath one of the Buffalo Rivers most beautiful Bluffs.

Hiking Trails

You and your family will love exploring the hiking trails in the Ponca Area this summer. There are easier treks for the more novice hikers such as the Lost Valley Trail, and big adventure trails that offer more strenous options like the Goat Trail along Big Bluff. For more info check out our top hiking trails page!

Zip line

Looking for that unforgettable family adventure? The Buffalo River Canopy Tour is not just a zip line—it’s a 2-hr nature excursion through the treetops of Buffalo River country! A great activity for family members age 7 and older, and who also weigh btween 70 lbs. and 250 lbs.

Stargazing

When the sun goes down, the adventure doesn’t have to end! The Buffalo National River is a designated International Dark Sky Park, making Buffalo River Country an incredible place to experience the night sky. Far from the bright lights of the city, summer nights offer spectacular views of countless stars, and on clear moonless nights, the Milky Way stretching across the sky. Grab a blanket, find a quiet spot along the river or near your cabin, and spend an evening stargazing in one of Arkansas’s darkest places.

Elk Viewing

Watching and photographing Ponca’s herds of majestic Rocky Mountain Elk is one of the finest wildlife experiences you can have not just in Arkansas, but anywhere! The elk along the Buffalo River were introduced into the area to replace the now extinct Eastern Elk and have since thrived and roamed wild along the Buffalo National River. Although they are wild you can usually see them grazing in Boxley Valley during the hours right after sunrise and right before sunset. While you are in the area visit the Elk Education Center for more information!

Camping

Spend a night under the stars in some of the most scenic campgrounds in Buffalo River Country! The upper Buffalo National River offers several National Park Service campgrounds, including Steel Creek, Kyle’s Landing, Erbie and Ozark.  Some campgrounds now require advance reservations during the busier months, while others remain first come, first serve. For an even more secluded experience, backcountry camping is also permitted along the Buffalo National River, including on gravel bars, as long as you follow National Park Service regulations of staying ½ mile ABOVE or BELOW a designated National Park Service campground.

Mountain Biking

Buffalo River Country offers plenty of opportunities to explore on two wheels! The Upper Buffalo Mountain Bike Trail (IMBA Epic), features around 40 miles of singletrack winding through the rugged Ozark landscape. For something a little closer to Ponca, riders can also take on the BOC Ponca Downhill MTB Trail right here at Buffalo Outdoor Center. Don’t have a bike with you? BOC also offers mountain bike rentals, making it easy to add a little downhill adventure to your summer getaway.

Fishing

The dog days of summer may not seem like an ideal time to go smallmouth bass fishing on the Buffalo National River; however, these typically hot, languid summer weeks can offer the river’s best topwater action of the entire year!

Scenic Drives

You don’t have to hit the trail to experience some of the best scenery in Buffalo River Country! Take a leisurely drive through Boxley Valley, wind your way through the Ozark Mountains between Ponca and Jasper, or spend an afternoon exploring the backroads surrounding the Buffalo National River.

Escape to a Scenic Cabin

Sometimes the best summer activity is doing a little less. A scenic cabin in Buffalo River Country is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the quieter side of a getaway. Sip your morning coffee surrounded by mountain views, spend the afternoon relaxing on the deck, and end the day soaking in a hot tub beneath the stars. Whether you’re looking for a romantic retreat, a family getaway or simply a peaceful place to recharge between adventures, a cabin in Ponca makes it easy to settle in and enjoy the beauty of the Buffalo National River at your own pace.

The Upper Buffalo National River area is beautiful year-round no matter how you choose to experience it and there  is always something to see. Be sure to bring your camera because you are going to want to capture all of your families new favorite memories!