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Categories . I have an 8 year old thats an experienced hiker that I will bring back. The river water has a clear, blue color, which contrasted super nicely with the yellow and orange leaves we witnessed. And similar to West Virginia, we think this area is majorly underrated and a hidden gem! Would do again! We also saw some deer. I bet going in the summer or fall is just as beautiful as each other. Hwy 43 Firetower Road junction Buffalo National River, Compton, AR 72624. A lot of parking at trailhead and it was muddy when I went but over all was good (12/18/2022). 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. I think this is my favorite Big Bluff photo because it really shows just how big thisbluff is. 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. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. We started about 6:00 and it took us about an hour and a half to get down to the base of the trail. On paper it might seem that way, but in action it's just a gorgeo. Follow this old road until you see the . Looks like a great hike . Its also home to waterfalls, rocky hikes, mountain views, valleys, the states only herd of elk, and so much more! Ponca, AR 72670, 1 (870) 861-5514 Dangerous Hike?! | Goat Trail to Big Bluff - YouTube It is best to get here around sunrise or close to sunset to have the best chance to see some elk. Awesome trail run today. 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 make a purchase with Amazon.com through For the Love of Wanderlust, you will help me stay on the road + keep my site running at no additional cost for you. Lots of unsuspecting swimmers have been washed away. Park at the Center Point trailhead. On Tuesday, I decided to make my second hike out to the "big" bluff (this week). The Suitcase Agent - Center Point / Big Bluff Goat 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. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. } 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. Spring is just magic. Our response to COVID-19: Our team is committed to providing a safe and memorable experience for guests and staff. Just a few other people. However, the thunder started shortly after we hit trail. I searched the Big Bluff Goat Trail in Google and it took me to a place where many people were bathing in the river but zero signs of a hike. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. Follow along on her adventures - big and small - across this beautiful world. Home / / big bluff goat trail deaths. Your email address will not be published. Thats the downside of being from a tropical country haha.. never getting to see changes of season at home. It sure looks like it was worth it for those stunning views though. The spur trail (Goat Trail) to Big Bluff is off to the right of the fire ring. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. The spur trail (Goat Trail) to Big Bluff is off to the right of the fire ring. Trees line the path and near the top they open up to views of the mountains surrounding you. In fact, its so big that it has the distinction of being the tallest sheer bluff face found between the Rocky and Appalachian mountains. Big Bluff Goat Trail | northern Arkansas | - YouTube Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Dogs are only allowed at campgrounds, on the river, and on the gravel bars, but must be on leash. Note: this guide contains affiliate links, which means that if you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. The most popular hiking destination from Centerpoint is Big Bluff, which features a panoramic vista of the Buffalo River and surrounding wilderness. 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. From here it is a rough trail that continues down the ridgeline to intersect the Old River Trail. 6.5 mile roundtrip and gorgeous views this looks like my kinda hike hehe. Great views, great scenery,. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. 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. Its an out and back hike, so you will return the same way as you came.One important thing we wanted to mention about this trail is its name. These views are amazing. If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. It was muddy but oh so worth it! Running water and flushing toilets operate seasonally. And the highlight of our time there was hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff (watch our experience)! Learn More. The summer will also be a great time to see the trees with their lush green color!We hiked the trail in the fall, specifically in early November, and got the last glimpses of fall colors before the leaves fell. 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. Is Goat Trail over the Buffalo National River the most dangerous hike in the United States? This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. 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 Four months ago, Eric and I took a weekend trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for one last hurrah just before his knee surgery. Hike the Goat Trail to Big Bluff | Buffalo Outdoor Center It was so beautiful! It was an awesome experience. Thanks for reading. Now going back to your car is an uphill incline. List of fatal cougar attacks in North America - Wikipedia 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. 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. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Its nice to look at, but dont try to walk across it. It almost looks like a beehive. The "Goat Trail" to Big Bluff is narrow and dangerous; visitors should proceed with extreme caution when hiking this section of trail. Yes, but a leash is recommended, especially on Big Bluff which has some narrow sections with steep drops to one side. You don't have to spend a lot of money or use a ton of vacation time to explore close to home. 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. I love hiking and exploring new trails. But even more importantly, make sure you have bags to put your trash in so you can pack out what you brought. There are two campgrounds relatively close to the Centerpoint Trailhead. While youre in the area, there are other great hikes. Youll hear and read the route called different names, but they all mean the same thing. Buffalo Outdoor Center A slip could break your leg or neck. Pass Ponca and travel up a significant uphill. I have to add this to my list of my must-do hikes so I dont forget. callback: cb Maumelle Campground. You are two hearty hikers to do that in the rain! Follow this old road until you see the first obvious fork to the right. If youre looking for a big view of the Buffalo River combined with a world-class geologic experience, then Big Bluff and its narrow Goat Trail is your kind of place. Buzzards frequent this area and youllfind feathersalong the trail. The best! (Sa. We got a later start than expected due to spending extra time on Hawks Bill Crag and Glory Hole Falls trails. How to Hike Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail) in Arkansas Amazing trial, its a little rough going down to the spot, all downhill just watch your step! All rights reserved. Despite the wet and cold end to our hike, the view from Big Bluff was well worth it. The ledge trail to the big bluff, called Goat Trail, is not maintained by the National Park Service. Your email address will not be published. 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. Length : 6 miles roundtrip, 4 hours. Then, hike the Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail) in Arkansas! Excellent trail. 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. 4699 AR 43 Hwy Great view. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Thats not a joke. Bring bug spray! But don't let that scare you. This trail features steep, rocky, and uneven terrain. 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! Located just 6 minutes from the trailhead, JB Trading Co is a great spot to call home in the Buffalo National River. Big Bluff is part of the Buffalo River Trail, so dont think the trail will simply end. Head down the gravel path, which turns into an old homestead road covered in leaf litter. We hope it helps you plan an epic adventure in the Buffalo National River! This campground is RV-friendly, clean, has fantastic bathrooms, and is open year-round. 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. 93% of travelers recommend this experience. What a beautiful hike!! Seriously, watch that water coming down out of the mountains. Want to report conditions for this trail? She's a road trip aficionado, an avid hiker, lover of learning + culture and an all-around wanderess. How cool is that?! Hike Big Bluff also known as Goats Trail in Arkansas - YouTube With cabins, RV sites, and even lodges that can sleep 30+ people, there are a variety of accommodations. Hiking the CentePoint to Goat Trail to Big Bluff (Arkansas) (Recommended). haha. Your email address will not be published. Awesome trail. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. Sam's Throne and Goat Trail to Big Bluff - Heading Roam Cant wait to start travelling around the US again! It was neat to see them. It is also not a place for older kids or adults, for that matter, with a penchant for risk taking or horseplay. Also, wed love to hear if youve hiked the Goat Trail in Arkansas or if it is on your bucket list! You could likely squeeze through this hole, but wed suggest going down below it on the more traditional trail to get around it. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Pets are not permitted on trails in the Ponca Wilderness of Buffalo National River. We entered at Center Point trail. Inside them are nice spots for some shade. Love Arkansas? The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is just one of the many things to do in the Buffalo National River area! Ive visited Big Bluff multiple times now. It is important to note that Goat Trail is not a place for those afraid of heights. 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! My wife and I drove down from Springfield Mo after friends told us how great this hike was. From Ponca, drive 3 miles north on Hwy 43 to the Centerpoint Trailhead, located at the Firetower Road junction. Thanks for sharing. The campground is a tent-only facility. Hi Marianne thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Required fields are marked *. You will certainly get some great pics of the river, the bluffs and the hills beyond. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. Hi Sarah! 360122 N 932147 W Goat Trail is on our list this fall! Have a great hike next time you go, Ashlee & Pablo. Fantastic scenery! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. If you follow the trail you will reach a couple of natural shelter areas that provide just enough room inside to place a tent or even sleep on the ground. Twenty campers died in a flash flood in 2010. It is an out and back trail, approximately 3 miles each way. Service animals permitted. 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. The bluff itself is "said to be" the tallest sheer vertical cliff face found between the Appalachians and the Rockies, with an estimated height of 560 feet! We skipped the falls so that we would have some daylight to set up camp. I had to strip down when I got to the rocky ledge at 2.5mi or so & stayed that way the whole time. I have been experimenting with easy hikes lately and I love being in nature. Trail is wide enough where you wont ever be too terribly close to the ledge. We wanted to share a few things to consider before your trekking journey to stay safe. The majority of this trail strolls through the forest. On the way back, the hike is all uphill, which makes it a bit harder, but minus a couple pretty steep sections, which had us huffing and puffing a bit, its not too difficult. If you begin this hike in the afternoon, please carry a light source just in case you hike out after dark. I crossed the river 4 or 5 times from one side to the other and walked for an hour without finding anyone. Youll probably want bug spray in the summer. 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. And for goodness sake, please dont drink and boat. Big Bluff is absolutely a trail that should not be missed. Its a downhill trek until you get to the Goat Trail, but it never felt super steep. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. Hiking to Big Bluff: The hike takes from 4 to 5 hours to complete round trip if you're in decent shape. The parking lot for the Centerpoint Trailhead fills up quickly. Finally I found two people who were riding a horse and were heading towards the place and I followed them. The later inthe year you get, the lower the Buffalo River gets. These views show, not only how narrow the ledge gets, but also how tall that bluff is above you. 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. Super safe trail until after you get past the eye and then it starts to feel a bit sketchy but worth it. The majority are first-come, first-served and some are free to stay at. On a journey to Alaska in @brisketthevan We hope to get to hike Goat Trail again sometime when the weather is better, and we have more time to enjoy the view. Are you looking for an incredible hike with epic views and relatively minimal scrambling in the Ozarks? 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 out will burn your legs for days. 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. The campground does not have showers. 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! The hike from Centerpoint Trailhead to Big Bluff is approximately 6 miles round-trip. 3.5 miles north of Ponca, on hwy 43. Trails at Andrew Molera State Park allow for bicycling and hiking. 98% of travelers recommend this experience. The payout at the end of the strenuous hike is a wide open view of the Buffalo National River, plus a geological wonder. Great views after the two mile mark though! Will definitely hike it again. This is the Little Missouri near Little Rock. What an incredible view! And , Many people love mushrooms. Next time we'll go earlier in the year. Adam, Kathryn, & Kona From here, it's about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. Andrew Molera State Park: TRAILS We got there later in the morning and luckily saw a couple, but from quite a distance. Some of these trees have been dated to over 800 years old by the National Park Service, so take a few moments to pause and wonder at these tenacious, gnarled sentinels as they watch over the bluff and the river. Great day on the trail. This post contains affiliate links, which means well receive a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. Amina you would have fun hiking here! Goats and Buzzards The Goat Trail is the narrow ledge trail that spurs off of the Centerpoint Trail and takes you out onto Big Bluff. 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. We absolutely loved it! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K.