Hiking the Buffalo River Trail

[Aaron Zagrodnick]

A cool, rainy weekend in early April provides the perfect backdrop for a hike on Arkansas’ Buffalo River Trail. Moist spring weather in the Ozarks means the lush hardwood and pine forest is bursting with wildflowers, ferns and all manner of growth, keeping hikers engaged in identifying each plant and marveling over the delicate and diverse shapes and intense colors. Cloudy, humid weather intensifies the deep, vernal greens enveloping the trail, and likewise accentuates the rainbow shades of countless blossoms. The Buffalo River Trail (BRT) runs along its namesake stream in northwest Arkansas for 62 miles in three non-contiguous segments. The Buffalo River is a “national river,” protected and managed by the National Park Service. The area is replete with hiking trails, and is also popular for canoeing and kayaking, camping, fishing, and horseback riding, it’s also known for its scenic bluffs, and its numerous waterfalls and historic sites. No matter how you choose to explore the area, any outdoor enthusiast will have a multitude of exploration opportunities to take advantage of...

@Susan Dragoo shares this story about a hike along the Buffalo River Trail in Arkansas - take a look at the full article in Issue 51:

Spring on the Buffalo River Trail: A Botanical Adventure

Issue 51 Page 1