Attractions

 

There is a vast array of recreational opportunities in the upper Buffalo area.  Let me help you plan an agenda.  I will gladly prepare maps, information, and suggestions for you.  Here is a list of possibilities:

 

Zip lining in Ponca which is right down Hwy 74 from the cabin. You get a birds eye view of the forest as you glide through the trees. Reservation only 800-221-5514 ($89 per person) Read about it on http://www.buffaloriver.com 

 

Antique Shopping:  An abundance of quality items are to be found in Jasper,  Kingston, Eureka Springs, Harrison, and Branson. 

 

 

Follow my suggestions for the best activities according to the season on Facebook
 

 

 

Arts and Crafts Festivals – www.wareaglemill.com third weekend in October each year.

 
Birding – Late April and early May is the prime time to see migrating birds in this area. If you haven't started a "life list" of birds you have seen, now is the time to do it. This is a good place to start.

 

 

Butterfly Watching:  Many flowers grow around the cabin drawing several species of butterflies.

 

Canoeing in Season –  The upper Buffalo National River is floatable only in the spring; once summer arrives it becomes a series of quiet pools.  But when it runs, it runs, and it has plenty of roller-coaster rapids to enliven the scenery. Kyle’s Landing, a takeout point for canoeists, is just a short drive east of the cabin.  Steel Creek Landing, another takeout point, is a short drive west.  Outfitters are close by to supply you with canoes and shuttle you to the river and back. 

 

 

Cave exploration – Less than thirty minutes away on nearby Hwy 7, Mystic Caverns, a commercial cave, offers a breathtaking tour for all ages.  In Boxley Valley, Eden Falls Cave at the end of Lost Valley Trail is a small wild cave with an awesome 30 ft waterfall at the end of the tunnel.  For experienced cavers, Cave Mountain Cave, a wild cave, is also in Boxley Valley.

 

Fishing – Bring your Arkansas Fishing License, or purchase online or, wait until you get here and get your license at the Hilary Jones Wildlife Museum which is the AGFC ( Arkansas Game and Fish Commission) http://www.agfc.com .  The Buffalo National River is famous for small mouth bass, but also offers catfish, red ear, and largemouth bass.

 

Hiking-  Close to the major hiking trails:

Lost Valley Trail: I would suggest this easy, scenic trail for the whole family.  There’s Eden Falls at the far end—one of the more scenic waterfalls in Arkansas, and if you want some adventure, there’s Eden Fall’s Cave at the very end of the trail.  Take along your flashlight and you’ll be able to explore this wild cave with it’s 30 ft waterfall inside.

 

 

Hemmed in Hollow boasts the tallest waterfall between the Smokies and the Rockies.

 
Hawksbill Crag is the most photographed site in Arkansas.  Hike out to the famous rockcropping and have your own photograph taken!

 

 

 

Horseback Riding:  Enjoy a leisurely ride along the backroads of the Ozark National Forest. 

 

 

Jasper Exploring: Jasper is a unique, rural village in the valley. It provides four quaint diners/restaurants and little shops where you can find the work of local artists.

 

 

Mountain Biking:  For a truly challenging experience try mountain biking.  Not for the faint of heart!  There are many trails and country roads for exhilarating rides, many which will provide a test of your biking strength and endurance. 

 

If you are a biker seeking downhill thrills, the hills in Newton County are alive with the sound of screaming. Just ask me!

 

Motorcycling:  The scenic drive along Highway 7 is a favorite among motorcyclists.  The winding mountain road has many curves that are exhilarating.  Combine an exciting ride with the breathtaking beauty of the scenery and southern hospitality in the area for a great outing.  Stop at the Hub, located north of Jasper close to Mystic Caverns, to meet with other bikers and enjoy a great meal – the steaks are delicious – at Scooters Restaurant.  See their website at www.cruisetheozarks.com.   

 

 
Photography: Capture the beauty of the Ozarks to enjoy whenever you desire -- at home with friends or as a compelling work of art in an office.

 

 

Rock climbing: Sam’s Throne draws rock climbers from all over. It has been written up in climbing magazines as the best climbing mountain in the U.S.

 

Swimming holes – Several ice-cold swimming holes are scattered along the Buffalo River.  The closest one to the cabin is at Steel Creek Landing, a fabulous place to take a dip while enjoying the towering limestone bluffs overhead.  

 

Sightseeing/Driving Tours:  The curvy mountain roads are popular with the sport car enthusiasts and there are many scenic Ozark driving tours.  Take a tour through historic Boxley Valley to watch the elk herd, look for the trumpeter swans, and view the historic mills, farms and church. All listed on the National Historic Register. 

 

 

Wildflower Viewing:  Adding to the scenic wonders of the area are the wildflowers, which abound from early spring to late in the fall.

 

 

Wildlife:  At dusk a variety of bats dart about your head in search of flying insects. Wild turkeys can be seen in the neighbor’s cow pasture, and in the spring wild turkey calls can be heard coming from the woods surrounding the cabin.

 

White tail deer frequent the yard around the cabin daily. 

 

 

Raccoons come up to the deck nightly in search of scraps, and often I get a glimpse of an opossum.

 
Just relaxing in the Ozarks –   Wander around the cabin and stroll down to the Buffalo National Park, only a few steps away.  Sit on the patio before dinner to watch the sun set over Indian Creek Gorge. 

 

 

Then there are the traditional summer pleasures for children of all ages: catching fireflies, running through the water sprinklers, eating watermelon, sipping lemonade and listening to the cicadas.