Check out our article with FREE apps we use to plan outdoor adventures hiking, camping, and road tripping all the time! Taking in a panoramic view while gettingsome shade! The hardest part of the trail looks like an old gravel bed with a lot of loose rocks. I didnt know such a trail existed in this part of the country. Hi Sarah! Now going back to your car is an uphill incline. When we set out in the morning, there was rain in the forecast. But please dont lean over and topple onto the ground below. I have been experimenting with easy hikes lately and I love being in nature. By closing this banner or interacting with our site, you acknowledge and agree to our privacy policy. I love hiking the view is always worth the trek! Hiking back was no joke! When the waters are higher, you can notice how beautifully turquoise the water is. This location does not have a restroom. This isnt the best hike for someone with a crippling fear of heights.TRAIL TIPS: As always, take plenty of water. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! A rugged, strenuous hike through the Ponca Wilderness to one of Buffalo National River's most expansive vistas. As long as you are mindful of the ledge, most hikers will have no trouble enjoying this view safely. You'll need to leave pups at home dogs aren't allowed on this trail. 3.5 miles north of Ponca, on hwy 43. We love your website! Thanks so much for reading! With a large b, Our FAVORITE things we did in Mrida, Mexico! 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. Because they look so vastly different, Im going to share them separately so you can see the difference. It was an awesome experience. Spring is my favorite time of year to go anywhere in the Ozarks for multiple reasons. The rain started shortly after, turning the trail into a muddy stream and completely soaking us by the time we got back to the car. Seriously, watch that water coming down out of the mountains. Follow this old road until you see the . Have fun. Fantastic scenery! Hello from the Florida Keys! Since the return hike is all uphill, youll definitely want some water, especially if you hike on a hot, sunny day! Restaurants near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail: Attractions near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail: 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Youll hear and read the route called different names, but they all mean the same thing. Sharing our experiences in the wilderness and what we learn along the way. Next time we'll go earlier in the year. more, The Haygoods: Branson's Most Popular Show, The Petersens at The Little Opry Theatre in Branson, Admission ticket to The Texas Tenors in Branson, Beyond The Lens! You will have a BLAST hiking in the Ozarks. In fact, its so big that it has the distinction of being the tallest sheer bluff face found between the Rocky and Appalachian mountains. With cabins, RV sites, and even lodges that can sleep 30+ people, there are a variety of accommodations. (function() { Super tight view all the same. I have an 8 year old thats an experienced hiker that I will bring back. : Jake Thomas Gardipee, 5 Absolutely incredible views but the return hike is challenging. Get a FREE packing list and gear guide from us detailing exactly what we take on a camping and hiking trip! Found out about this hike while doing my research for our trip to the Buffalo National River area. 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. fantastic, breathtaking and simply a must see! These views are amazing. My papa bear on the trail to the right, and Matt is barely visible to the right. Ashlee Fechino is an outdoor recreation and travel writer and founder of The Happiness Function. The Buffalo National River and Ozark Mountains are incredibly scenic and reminded us a bit of driving around West Virginia. Incredible photography! About 0.25 miles from the Goat Trail turn off, youll reach Big Bluff! We love creating short videos so you can visualize the trail conditions before your trip. There are no permits required or day-use fees. We wanted to share a few things to consider before your trekking journey to stay safe. 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. Her goal is to help inspire people to build a life they love by sharing how simple and fun it is to travel locally, connect with nature, and explore off-the-beaten-path. Since this is a little over 6-mile hike, that makes it a more pleasant experience. 100% of travelers recommend this experience. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) Relatively easy hike for this 6 mile round trip trek. Required fields are marked *. While youll rarely see a wild goat on Big Bluff these days, a few feral goats do still roam the upper Buffalo River wilderness. The best! Despite being managed by the National Park Service, hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, as well as accessing the rest of the Buffalo National River is free! The main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. Avoid the stress of forgetting camping and hiking essentials with our handy guide. I looked back from the narrow, rock ledge part of the trail and captured this adorable photo. Unfortunately, we picked one of the hottest days of the year. Even with a fear of heights I was able to navigate the narrower parts of the Goat Trail. Running water and flushing toilets operate seasonally. To get to the Goat Trail, start the hike from Centerpoint Trailhead. The best reason for going in the spring, though, is the sheer beauty of springtime in the Ozarks. Looking for more things to do in Arkansas? Such a cool trail! This iconic hike is located within the Ponca Wilderness, which is a very remote area in Northern Arkansas. It almost looks like a beehive. The mountains that surround the area are also very beautiful! Regardless of where you fall on the spectrum, there are compelling reasons to add , When confronted with a patch of edible mushrooms in the woods, especially rare and delicious ones, we are often overcome , A couple of weekends ago, Eric and I, accompanied by friends John and Sammy, drove four hours southeast to explore . 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! Required fields are marked *. You should especially avoid that when the water is high. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Cookie Policy, 2021 Adventures of A+K. If youre hiking in the Ponca area, you might enjoy checking out these other hiking trails: Check back soon for new articles about hiking in the Buffalo National River, Ponca Wilderness, Ozark National Forest, and Northwest Arkansas! There will be a tree with signage telling you to go to the right to start the Goat Trail. Enjoy the view but use extreme caution on Big Bluff. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this. Hwy 43 Firetower Road junction Buffalo National River, Compton, AR 72624. 8 am 5 pm | Nov Feb. Buffalo Outdoor Center is authorized to provide canoe rentals and transportation services within the Buffalo National River. We arrived at the Centerpoint Trailhead bright and early on a Monday morning in November. Get more stories delivered right to your email. From here, its about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. The view at end is well worth it. Trail was a little muddy but nothing terrible. Check out our blog for more close by . Steep 2.5 mile hike out- but the trail is beautiful and worth the effort. The payoff is the bluffs, which are beautiful. Today was our last hike of our weeks vacation in the Buffalo National River park, and we started at the Centerpoint trail head. The Goat Trail and Big Bluff. 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. You will certainly get some great pics of the river, the bluffs and the hills beyond. Before you read any further, we wanted to clear up the trails name. Follow along on her adventures - big and small - across this beautiful world. Its challenging but Im not an athlete and it was just hard enough. I would love to get to Arkansas . 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. Come on an email adventure with us! No restrooms there, but a decent gas stop and convenience store was just a short distance before we got there. There is really only one long stretch back up hill that is hard, but otherwise the climb back up wasnt that bad. Beautiful weather and scenery! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. The Goat Trail starts about 2.5 miles down. Despite the wet and cold end to our hike, the view from Big Bluff was well worth it. The Centerpoint to Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in Buffalo National River. } There are already a lot of great resources out there to help provide you with . Nice views. November 17, 2022 November 17, 2022 thesuitcaseagent 1 Comment on Center Point / Big Bluff Goat Trail. 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. What a beautiful spot for hiking. I like to do Easy/moderate hikes admist stunning natural beauty, ozarks looks just ideal! The majority are first-come, first-served and some are free to stay at. A little muddy, but no traction needed. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. Check out our channel to get outdoor adventure inspiration! We love hiking in the late fall and during the middle of the week to beat the crowds. Ashlee holds a BS degree in Biology and MS in Environmental Policy & Sustainability and is passionate about the outdoors. Your email address will not be published. The ledge trail to the big bluff, called Goat Trail, is not maintained by the National Park Service. Maumelle Campground. We also saw some deer. The hike out will burn your legs for days. The spur trails connect the Centerpoint trail with the Chimney Rock Trail, Sneeds Creek Trail, Big Bluff Trail, Compton Loop Trail, and Hemmed-in Hollow Trail. Twenty campers died in a flash flood in 2010. 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. 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. big bluff goat trail deaths . Hi Uncle Burt! The side trail that leads to an outcropping on the bluff is called the Goat Trail and is about 350 ft. tall. Find more places to camp along the Arkansas Buffalo River (Upper District) here. 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). Big Bluff is absolutely a trail that should not be missed. You should go forth and explore the Natural States breathtaking beauty. It was our first hike in the area and we started later in the day than we should have. The view of the Buffalo River from Big Bluff. Just avoid the risky behaviors that could endanger your life, health, and safety. From here it is a rough trail that continues down the ridgeline to intersect the Old River Trail. They camp in their Aliner often and love road trips and hiking. jezebel spirit scriptures; 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. It's very steep, and very dangerous. There are about 800 Rocky Mountain elk, which were brought to the area to replace the Eastern elk that had gone extinct. The next day we woke up and left our packs in the tent by the river and hiked up to the falls. 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 you're going and when to turn around. Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information. 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 very start of the Goat Bluff section though had AMAZING views and was so much fun. Will definitely hike it again. We planned to make it for sunrise at the bluff, so we hit the trail at about 6 am. This website contains affiliate links from websites such as MileValue.com, Amazon.com, Booking.com, and Rentalcars.com. Its great to see something you can do with the whole family too even if your mum was scared stiff! Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. OK, lets talk about the ledge trail (or Goat Trail) on Big Bluff for a moment. Note that with no foliage on the trees it's pretty warm out. The campground does not have showers. 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! Speaking of trees, one of the great privileges of being out on Big Bluff is the chance to see the large, aged junipers that somehow manage to grow along the trails edge, clinging to what seems like nothing but sheer rock and very little soil. 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. Excellent trail. 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. 90 minute drive got us to the Centerpoint trailhead. Its also home to waterfalls, rocky hikes, mountain views, valleys, the states only herd of elk, and so much more! Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 8 min to complete. 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. Pets are not permitted on trails in the Ponca Wilderness of Buffalo National River. 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. We started early in the day to ensure we got parking in the lot. We absolutely loved it! Description : The first two miles of this Ozarks trail meanders through deep Ozarks forest and leads to the Big Bluff that is over 500 feet tall. It is important to note that Goat Trail is not a place for those afraid of heights. I loved the Goat Trail part of the hike, but not as enthused over the first mile or so from the trailhead. 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. YouTube, Travel Guides, Gear, & FAQs. This hike is one of the most popular hikes in the Buffalo National River and its no surprise why, as it features some of the best things the area has to offer: river views, mountains, and unique rock outcroppings. 6.5 miles sounds like the perfect distance for a day trip , Had no idea you could see such beauty in Arkansas. 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 main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. Very rocky getting down but doable. 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. Amazing trial, its a little rough going down to the spot, all downhill just watch your step! Super pretty and worth it. 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. 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. Hi Marianne thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Hi Beverley thanks for reading and commenting. It was muddy but oh so worth it! It is not advisable to bring children, liquor, or reckless behavior on this hike. You can see a list of the sites, as well as their season dates, amenities, and other details here! It is considered the tallest along the Buffalo at over 500 ft. tall. While this is a relatively short hike, you may want to bring snacks and food to keep you fueled during the trek. If you turn left, you continue on the trail that will take you all the way to Hemmed-in-Hollow. Looks like a great place to hike and some amazing views for your rewards. 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. 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. Well done to your Mum for doing this! Would love to hike the Big Bluff Goat Trail with my family! It is an out and back trail, approximately 3 miles each way. Contact Us, 8 am 6 pm | Mar Oct 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. Loved the hike back up. What gorgeous views! Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Happy hiking! Thank you! Each is a beautiful and unique experience. Nice trail well maintained. We had to hustle cuz we were cutting it kind of close, and the snow and ice that had refrozen overnight did make it precarious but we made it just fine and were well rewarded :). Nice trail. living on the road in ourself-converted sprinter van! The payout at the end of the strenuous hike is a wide open view of the Buffalo National River, plus a geological wonder. Once youve parked your car, youll see the National Park Service trail sign. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. I crossed the river 4 or 5 times from one side to the other and walked for an hour without finding anyone. What you should actually avoid is engaging in risky behavior. From this fork is where the rocky bluff begins so you can hike to Big Bluff along the Goat Trail. I would love to hike the Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail) in Arkansas. To get to the Goat Trail, start the hike from Centerpoint Trailhead. Trail maps say big bluff is just .8 miles long before it abruptly ends, but this is far from the truth. 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 cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. There is a dedicated parking lot for the hike which has room for probably about 15 cars. Some scrambling might be required, depending on how far across the bluffs you want to go. This trail is also not a place for young children. The Buffalo National River is home to a few more traditional campgrounds. The hike itself is mostly downhill .