Lost Valley Trail is located near the Boxley Valley Historic District on Hwy. 43 and is the most popular hike at Buffalo National River. Lost Valley Trail is an easy to moderate hike with occasional benches on the first portion of trail for resting and watching wildlife. Lost Valley Trail leaves the parking area and gently winds up the box canyon, passing beneath groves of American beech trees. The trail leads you to an emerald-blue pool of water with an 8-ft waterfall flowing out of a small opening in the bluff, known as the Natural Bridge. The trail continues up stone steps, winding along the Clark Creek drainage giving way to a massive 200-ft bluff shelter, known as Cob Cave. The gem of the hike is Eden Falls. The picturesque Eden Falls cascades 53 feet over towering cliffs offering visitors a firsthand view of what the Ozark Mountains have to offer. Visitors can either loop back around to the main trail or continue on a spur trail to the peak of Eden Falls. The trail leading to Eden Falls is rugged and steep; visitors should use extreme caution when taking this route. The trail winds up the bluff line to a 200-ft cave, and then gives way to a 25-ft waterfall inside. A flashlight and some agility will be needed to view the waterfall in the cave. The trail ends here at the mouth of the cave.

Dress warmly and in layers, pack water and wear appropriate footwear for this moderate-strenuous hike. We look forward to sharing the start of 2026 with you!

Please RSVP at our Sign Up page.

Note: Pets are not permitted on our First Year Hike

Celebrate the beauty of fall in the Ozarks by joining us in Boxley Valley during peak color season! The National Park Service and Buffalo National River Partners (BNRP) invite you to step back in time with guided tours of the historic Boxley Mill.

Local historian and Newton County native Kevin Middleton will lead small group interpretive programs throughout the morning. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to go inside the mill and hear engaging stories about its role in the development of the Boxley Valley community, as well as its cultural significance in the Buffalo River region.

Whether you come for the brilliant fall foliage, the rich history, or both, this program offers a unique way to experience the valley during Colorfest weekend.

• Please dress for the weather and wear comfortable walking shoes.

• Don’t forget your camera to capture the spectacular fall colors!

Tours will be limited to five participants at a time to provide an intimate and engaging experience with past life of the mill. Morning tours will begin at 10:00 a.m. and continue until just before noon. Afternoon tours will resume at 1:00 p.m. and run until 2:00 p.m. Space will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Parking will be available in the designated area adjacent to the main gate leading to the historic mill. Due to limited parking and space inside the mill, early arrival is encouraged.

Join Buffalo National River Partners in celebrating the history and heritage of Boxley Valley during this special Color Fest event.

For more information, visit BNRP’s website or follow Buffalo National River Partners on Facebook

Join us on National Public Lands Day to help with trail clean up at our Tyler Bend trails. Meet at the Tyler Bend Visitors Center for a safety briefing before we dispatch to trailheads.  The Park will be providing hand tools.  Pack a lunch and water, bring gloves, a hand tool if you wish, wear closed toe shoes and appropriate clothing for trail work.  Please sign up here so we can expect you!  See you on the trail!

Tyler Bend Visitors Center 

170 Ranger Rd, St Joe, AR 72675

Coordinates: 35.9867152274, -92.7639029014

We invite you to our 2025 annual meeting on Thursday September 18, 6:00-8:00 p.m.. Find out what’s been going on with Buffalo National River Partners and with Buffalo National River.

Please sign up here for this event by Sept. 14. We'd love for you to bring a guest who is interested in becoming a BNRP member. Make sure to also register that person for the meeting.

And, come EARLY and take a hike, or walk along the river before the meeting. Our meeting location is just a few steps from the water!

Ozark Campground Pavilion 

Co Rd 129, Harrison, AR 72601

Coordinates:  36.0621317,-93.1597244.

Volunteers will meet at 10 am at the pavilion at Lost Valley Trail to pull and bag stilt grass, an invasive species of grass that smothers the native wild flowers, which have historically been prolific and beautiful along this trail. Stilt grass is easy to pull. Volunteers will need the following:

• Work gloves

• Personal water bottle for hydration

• Bug spray

• Clothing and shoes appropriate for work

At arrival, those participating will fill out required national park service volunteer paperwork, and then listen to a short explanation of the project and the process before pulling. This is an easy project and was well attended last year. Hope to see you there!

Learn More About Stilt Grass

Please sign up to let us know you are coming and thanks! Sign Up

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Lost Valley Trail

36.01012° N, 93.37428° W

Join us at the Tyler Bend Pavilion to kick off our second river clean-up of the year! The Middle River cleanup will target the 5.5 mile stretch from Tyler Bend to Gilbert. Our friends at Buffalo River Outfitters will provide a limited number of canoes, and those will be allotted to the first people who sign up. You may also bring your own canoe or kayak! Please bring your own lunch, drinks, and whatever tools you think we might need! Shovels, grabbers, and loppers are always handy.  We will provide trash bags, gloves, and some snacks.

Please sign up here to register for this cleanup.    Please let us know in the description the following information .

- Will you be bringing your own canoe?

- Do you have a floating partner to share your boat with?  If so, please include their name.

We will be in contact with you about the details closer to the date, including any updates regarding inclement weather. See you on the river!

Regularly scheduled meeting of BNRP board of directors.

Buffalo National River Headquarters

402 N. Walnut Street, #136

Harrison, Arkansas 72601

To celebrate National Trails Day, BNRP is partnering with the Buffalo National River to show some love to one of the most famous trails in our area. Join us as we work to prune overgrowth and perform general upkeep to this highly trafficked gem! Please bring your own lunch, gloves, and drinks. However, snacks, loppers, grabbers, and trash bags will be provided.  

It is important to register for this cleanup here.  We will be in contact with you about the details closer to the date. See you on the river!

Lost Valley Trail, 36.01012° N, 93.37428° W

Come help clean up the river in the upper district. Location will be determined based on water level. A local concessionaire will provide a limited number of canoes and those will be allotted to the first people who sign up. You may also bring your own canoe or kayak. Please bring your own lunch, drinks, and whatever tools you think we might need. Shovels, grabbers, and lopers are always handy.  We will provide trash bags, gloves, and some snacks.

It is important to register for this cleanup here.  We will be in contact with you about the details closer to the date. See you on the river!

Regularly scheduled meeting of BNRP board of directors.

Buffalo National River Headquarters

402 N. Walnut Street, #136

Harrison, Arkansas 72601

Come celebrate Earth Day with us and volunteer at the Buffalo National River! As many know, maintenance backlogs continue to be a challenge for all NPS units, and our friends at the Buffalo National River have expressed the need for the guardrails near the Buffalo Point Visitor Center to be painted.

Please sign up to let us know you are coming and thanks! Sign Up

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Buffalo Point Visitor Center

2229 AR-268

Yellville, AR. 62687

North Arkansas College, in partnership with Buffalo National River Partners (BNRP), is pleased to announce an upcoming lecture on the implementation of prescribed fire at Buffalo National River for habitat restoration. The event will feature Fenn Wimberly, Fire Management Officer for the National Park Service at Buffalo National River.

The lecture entitled “Implementation of Prescribed Fire in Buffalo National River for Habitat Restoration and Maintenance of Fire Dependent Communities” will be held on Friday, April 11 at 6:00 p.m. in the North Arkansas College Science Building first floor lecture hall on the South Campus.

This informative lecture will cover the purpose of the fire management program at Buffalo National River, why prescribed fire is an effective tool for habitat restoration, and how fire-dependent communities are supported through this approach. Mr. Wimberly will discuss the process of setting prescribed fire return frequencies within the park.

As the Fire Management Officer for the National Park Service at Buffalo National River, Mr. Wimberly brings a wealth of expertise in fire ecology and land management practices. His insights will be invaluable for anyone interested in learning about the ecological role of fire and its importance in preserving diverse landscapes and species at the national river.

Mr. Wimberly is a seasoned fire management professional with extensive experience in wildland fire management and ecological restoration. Raised in Fayetteville, Arkansas, he developed a passion for the outdoors at an early age, becoming an Eagle Scout and embraced nature through various outdoor activities. His deep-rooted love for nature and dedication to environmental stewardship laid the foundation for his distinguished career in fire ecology, conservation, and teaching prescribed fire to a multitude of people that have worked with and for Fenn.

Mr. Wimberly attended Colorado State University to study forestry and fire ecology, a background that has proven invaluable in his fire management career. He began his journey with the National Park Service at Buffalo National River in the early 1990s, where he was first introduced to prescribed fire and suppression (or wildland firefighting) as a seasonal park ranger. His work at Buffalo National River sparked a lifelong commitment to fire management and conservation.

In his career, he has worked with the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service on the Santa Fe National Forest, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where he served as a Fire Management Officer overseeing several fire management programs comprised of multiple national wildlife refuges across Kansas, Colorado, and Nebraska. His expertise and leadership in fire management expanded to a national level, influencing fire management practices by teaching advanced prescribed fire management classes at the Interagency National Advanced Fire and Research Institute (NAFRI) in Tucson, Arizona. He is also an integral part of a complex incident management team, which are frequently called out for support during environmental disasters such as large wildfires, hurricanes, and other large events that need complex organization and guidance.

After 18 years away from his beloved Buffalo National River, and many miles traveled, he had risen through the ranks to the Fire Management Officer position. In 2008 he had the opportunity to return to Buffalo National River as the Fire Management Officer, in charge of the entire fire program, where his career first began.

Mr. Wimberly is recognized as a leading expert in fire ecology. Thirty plus years of experience of fire management in all fuel types across the United States provides an inherent knowledge that drives the dedication for prescribed fire and habitat restoration. He continues to play a pivotal role in the restoration and management of fire-dependent ecosystems across the Department of Interior, USDA Forest Service, and local agencies striving to enhance fire dependent ecosystems. His passion for environmental stewardship drives his mission to preserve and enhance natural landscapes for future generations.

This lecture is free and open to the public, offering a unique opportunity for BNR Partners, Northark students, members of the public and environmental enthusiasts to engage with a leading expert in the field of fire management.

For more information about the lecture contact Faron Usrey, Science Instructor and Undergraduate Research Co-coordinator by phone at (870) 715-9563 or by email at Faron.Usrey@northark.edu

Regularly scheduled meeting of BNRP board of directors.

Buffalo National River Headquarters

402 N. Walnut Street, #136

Harrison, Arkansas 72601

Kick start a healthy and active New Year with your friends from the Buffalo National River Partners! 

The Indian Rockhouse Trail is a 3.5 mile round trip hike that meanders past a sinkhole, waterfall, mine prospect, Panther Creek, sculpted bedrock, and a quarry. The hike will begin at 1:00 pm, but we encourage you to join BNRP at the Wild Bill’s Outfitters for warm beverages at 12:30 pm before we start our trek. 

https://maps.google.com/maps/place//data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x87ce1ab9a37d7d4b:0x6ac7a3ceefbcc977?entry=s&sa=X&ved=1t:8290&hl=en-us&ictx=111

Dress warmly and in layers, pack water and wear appropriate footwear for this moderate-strenuous hike. We look forward to sharing the start of 2025 with you!

Please RSVP at our Sign Up page.

 Note: Pets are not permitted on the Indian Rockhouse Trail.

Click here to download the NPS Indian Rockhouse document.

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteer opportunities are back!

The Partners are looking for volunteers to work stations in the Boxley Valley area this Fall!  Stations will be set up along the Boxley Valley to assist visitors. Information, visual aids, safety vests, and tents will be provided. This will be an opportunity to help visitors get the most of their experience and for you to share your own knowledge about Buffalo National River! 

Please recruit your friends and share on your social media to help us fill these spots.  We need eight volunteers each day.  Volunteers will meet at the Lost Valley parking lot at 9:30 am for assignments and supplies for your work location. Volunteers should bring lunch, drinks and folding chairs.

Volunteer stations include:

Lost Valley

Hwy. 43 Elk Pullout

Boxley Mill

Ponca Low Water Bridge

Please sign up using this link, check which location you would like to volunteer. Please note the dates you are volunteering for in the message box!

This fall is sure to be another doozy. It would be tremendous to have two volunteers per duty location (see below) per weekend day in October to best serve park visitors.

As a reminder, here are the primary volunteer duties at each location:

• Lost Valley: parking/traffic control, radio communications, providing trail maps and area information, keeping count of visitor contacts (using a clicker)

• Elk Viewing Area: elk education, distributing park information (Junior Ranger books, river maps, Leave No Trace cards, hunting guidebooks), helping visitors with wayfinding and suggesting outdoor activities in the area, keeping count of visitor contacts

• Boxley Mill: welcoming guests, providing information/answering questions about the mill, giving guided tours, distributing park information, keeping count of visitor contacts.

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Volunteers will meet with BNRP volunteer/event organizer Barry Martindale at the Buffalo Point Ranger Station. BNR rangers will be there to help guide folks on the Buffalo Point Campground Trails to include: the Overlook Trail, Campground Trail, and Forest Trail. There will be some elevation change on the trails. Ranger Maggie Reyes will give a safety talk to the group and there will be a volunteer sheet for each member of the group to sign in. 

Bring the following items: rakes, loppers, work gloves, eye protection, your snacks and water. To help us with our planning, please register for this trail maintenance event here. 

Volunteers are allowed to use electric weed eaters and electric pole saws as long as they bring with them all required PPE (listed below). 

PPE- Weed Eater:

Hearing Protection (required)

Eye Protection (required)

Gloves (highly recommended)

PPE- Pole Saw(s):

Hearing Protection (required)

Eye Protection (required)

Hard Hat (required)

Gloves (highly recommended)

In case of rain, this event will be cancelled. Check in with our calendar for late Fall and Winter trail maintenance opportunities!

We invite you to our 2024 annual meeting on Friday, September 20, 6:00-8:00 p.m.. Find out what’s been going on with Buffalo National River Partners and with Buffalo National River.

Come and meet Angela Boyers, our new BNR Superintendent, who will give us an overview of what is in the works and what are in future plans for BNR. Signature Bank will provide our meal!

Please sign up here for this event by Sept. 13. We'd love for you to bring a guest who is interested in becoming a BNRP member. Make sure to also register that person for the meeting.

And, come EARLY and take a hike, or walk along the river before the meeting. Our meeting location is just a few steps from the water!

Gilbert General Store

#1 Frost St.

Gilbert, AR 72636

Coordinates:

35.98903430822776, -92.71575692338122

Volunteers will meet at 10 am at the pavilion at Lost Valley Trail to pull and bag stilt grass, an invasive species of grass that smothers the native wild flowers, which have historically been prolific and beautiful along this trail. Stilt grass is easy to pull. Volunteers will need the following:

• Work gloves

• Personal water bottle for hydration

• Bug spray

• Clothing and shoes appropriate for work

At arrival, those participating will fill out required national park service volunteer paperwork, and then listen to a short explanation of the project and the process before pulling. This is an easy project and was well attended last year. Hope to see you there!

Learn More About Stilt Grass

Please sign up to let us know you are coming and thanks! Sign Up

Please remember to log your hours afterwards. Log Hours

Location: Steel Creek Campground and Ponca Low Water Bridge 

On August 2, we have volunteer opportunities in two locations in the Upper River District to help cleanup on the Buffalo National River: Steel Creek Campground and the Ponca Low Water Bridge.  Ideally, we would like 4-6 workers at each location.

Groups will meet at either location at 8:30 am. Trash bags, gloves and grabbers will be provided along with snacks and water.

A BNR ranger and BNRP group leaders will be there to assist and give you instructions and supplies.  Please specify the location you wish to volunteer in the sign-up page. We’ll be in touch by email with specific instructions a few days before the event. 

Group 1:   Steel Creek Campground and gravel bar 

Group 2:  Ponca Low Water Bridge area and parking lot

Items to bring:   sunscreen, sunglasses, hats, sturdy shoes, drinks and possibly a swimsuit

Items supplied:  trash bags, gloves, grabbers, snacks and water.

The middle river cleanup will target the 5.5 mile stretch from Tyler Bend to Gilbert. Silver Hill Float Service will provide a limited number of canoes and those will be allotted to the first people who sign up. You may also bring your own canoe or kayak. Please bring your own lunch, drinks, and whatever tools you think we might need. Shovels, grabbers, and lopers are always handy.  We will provide trash bags, gloves, and some snacks.

The alternate date in case of inclement weather or other issues that might delay this float is June 17.  

It is important to register for this cleanup here.  We will be in contact with you about the details closer to the date. See you on the river!