The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is 5.9 miles roundtrip and has an elevation change of 1,076 feet. From here, its about a 1/4-mile hike out to the start of Big Bluff. The Buffalo Outdoor Center also offers cabin rentals if camping isnt your cup of tea. 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. Nine of those deaths took place in 2014. 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 weather is cooler, there are little to no bugs, and the area is quieter. While this is a relatively short hike, you may want to bring snacks and food to keep you fueled during the trek. 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. Note that with no foliage on the trees it's pretty warm out. This crazy formation is inside one of the overhangs. Rocky, so wear boots if you like your ankles to work for you absolutely worth the hike out. 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! Amina you would have fun hiking here! In addition to the massive bluff, it overlooks one of the most stunning views of the Buffalo River, especially in the spring when the water is higher. A slip could break your leg or neck. The man explained that everyone came from the other side walking a lot but that in 10 minutes we would be there. The view from the top is spectacular, but the hike has its dangers. It is important to note that Goat Trail is not a place for those afraid of heights. 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. My mom has a serious fear of heights, but Im so super proud of her because she made it to the amazing overview you see below! Buffalo River Trail: Steel Creek Campground to Villines Homestead, Buffalo River Trail from Kyles Landing Campground, Ponca Wilderness and Buffalo National River Loop, Buffalo River Paddle Route: Ponca to Kyles Landing, Paige Falls, Broadwater Hollow, Thunder Canyon via Cecil Cove Trail, Buffalo River Trail: Steel Creek Campground to Erbie Campground, Kyles Landing to Camp Orr via Buffalo River Trail, Buffalo River Trail: Compton to Ponca Backpacking Route. We love hiking in the late fall and during the middle of the week to beat the crowds. The hike down to Big Bluff is relatively easy, though rocky. Come on an email adventure with us! We founded The Happiness Function to show you how to seek fulfillment outdoors through an active lifestyle, hiking, camping, and road-tripping in the USA. Before headingback up to the top, Matt, my dad and I joined my mom with her awesome view, ate a granola bar and soaked it all in. It is an out and back trail, approximately 3 miles each way. 4699 AR 43 Hwy We also saw some deer. We left our little hikers at home for this one as its definitely more of a challenge and a bit treacherous at spots. We started about 6:00 and it took us about an hour and a half to get down to the base of the trail. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Please read ourfull disclosurefor more information. Super pretty and worth it. The view of the Buffalo River from Big Bluff. 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. On paper it might seem that way, but in action it's just a gorgeo. The Goat Trail is the narrow ledge trail that spurs off of the Centerpoint Trail and takes you out onto Big Bluff. The campground is a tent-only facility. We only saw about 6 people on our way back and ended up getting back to the van in about 3 hours. Buffalo Outdoor Center is an adventure lovers dream! 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. Super safe trail until after you get past the eye and then it starts to feel a bit sketchy but worth it. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. This, ladies + gentlemen, is my favorite view in Arkansas. Round trip 6.5 miles is a good morning hike, and I like the option to add on. Bringing a lunch and have a picnic at the Bluff is a memory that we will cherish. The trailhead is located on the right at 3.5 miles. It gets its name from the feral descendants of domesticated goats (brought here by pioneers) who either escaped captivity or were turned loose in the wilderness and eventually became wild. Trail was a little muddy but nothing terrible. The parking lot for the Centerpoint Trailhead fills up quickly. Never been to Arkansas but would love to visit this trail. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is just one of the many things to do in the Buffalo National River area! We love your website! This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. Have a great hike next time you go, Ashlee & Pablo. I crossed the river 4 or 5 times from one side to the other and walked for an hour without finding anyone. Ozark Cabins has quite a few properties around the Buffalo National River, including some right across from the trailhead. Park at the Center Point trailhead. The sheer face of a cliff is certainly not where you want to be during a thunderstorm, so we and some fellow hikers found shelter in a hollowed-out part of the cliff nearby, hoping to wait it out. The Centerpoint Trailhead is located approximately 3 miles north of Ponca, AR, directly across Hwy. 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. Big Bluff - Goat Trail - Always Pack Light Its funny how the world replicates its landscapes over on the other sides of the world!! The round trip was about 6 miles ( some easy, some over and around rocks and boulders and some only a couple feet wide between the cliff wall and a couple hundred feet drop off the edge). The Buffalo National River is located in Northern Arkansas, right by the Ozark National Forest.The area is most famous for the river, which winds 135 miles through the area, and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48, as well as the first designated National River in the United States. List of fatal cougar attacks in North America - Wikipedia Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! Have fun. And the highlight of our time there was hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff (watch our experience)! Hike Big Bluff also known as Goats Trail in Arkansas - YouTube In this guide were sharing everything you need to know before hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff in the Buffalo National River, including trail stats, what to bring, and more!Despite living in Texas for the majority of our lives, we never visited Arkansas and boy, were we missing out! 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 . 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! listeners: [], Dangerous Hike?! | Goat Trail to Big Bluff - YouTube The trail map claims 3 miles to the start of Big Bluff from the Center-point Trail Head. Parking lot is at a crossroads and the trail is clearly marked. FREE apps we use to plan outdoor adventures, 5 Best Places to Camp Along the Arkansas Buffalo River (Upper District), 12 Hiking Trails in Arkansas You Cannot Miss, The Perfect Weekend at Mount Nebo State Park, Plan the Best Weekend at Devils Den State Park, The Ultimate Guide to Petit Jean State Park, How to Reach Hawksbill Crag Hiking the Whitaker Point Trail, Lost Valley Trail: Incredible Hike to Cob Cave and a Waterfall . The side trail that leads to an outcropping on the bluff is called the Goat Trail and is about 350 ft. tall. 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. Hi Uncle Burt! Awesome. 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. Hiking in the Ozarks - Goat Trail to Big Bluff - For the Love of Wanderlust 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. haha. Not super wet until you hit the couple of runoff areas. When the waters are higher, you can notice how beautifully turquoise the water is. The fork to the right is NOT MARKED with an obvious trail sign but takes you to the Big Bluff (Goat Trail). Ponca, AR 72670, 1 (870) 861-5514 Hiking out to the bluffs is pretty much downhill all the way, making the hike back completely uphill. You come to a Y in the trail and the campground sits in the middle of the Y. All the rain that we get in springtime makes for beautiful, lush trees, wildflowers are beginning to bloom and the river is higher. Hiking to Big Bluff: The hike takes from 4 to 5 hours to complete round trip if you're in decent shape. We did encounter a herd of wild boars, but they ran off right away. As long as you are mindful of the ledge, most hikers will have no trouble enjoying this view safely. The Big Bluff Trail, AR | Drive The Nation jezebel spirit scriptures; As of last count, Beaver Lake had claimed 120 lives. Paige Wunder is based in the Ozarks where she lives with her husband. If you start this hike in the afternoon, carry a light source just in case you're out after dark. A great hike for a group. It is considered the tallest along the Buffalo at over 500 ft. tall. Restaurants near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail: Attractions near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail: 99% of travelers recommend this experience. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. 90 minute drive got us to the Centerpoint trailhead. Besides, the long hike out will be a struggle for them (and you). At 550 feet, its the larges bluff face between the Rockies and Appalachians. In and out down-sloping gravel trail that could pose a challenge to some hiking back out. Thats the downside of being from a tropical country haha.. never getting to see changes of season at home. You'll have a very scenic look over the Buffalo River valley, the river flows all the way through the Ozark Mountains, but exercise extreme caution as people have died falling off the trail. Find more places to camp along the Arkansas Buffalo River (Upper District) here. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 1 h 8 min to complete. Goat Trail is on our list this fall! Service animals permitted. Come along for the hike as we climb to the top of Arkansas' famous "Goat Trail". Looks like a great hike . Just a few other people. Because they look so vastly different, Im going to share them separately so you can see the difference. Big Bluff Trail leads out about a tenth of a mile before coming out on the face of Big Bluff. The trail is an old logging trail and can be rocky at times. Next time we'll go earlier in the year. No restrooms there, but a decent gas stop and convenience store was just a short distance before we got there. The Suitcase Agent - Center Point / Big Bluff Goat Trail From the parking lot to Big Bluff, the trail travels mostly downhill, so it's important to conserve energy, drinking water, and snacks for the uphill hike back to your car. This post contains affiliate links, which means well receive a commission if you purchase through our links at no extra cost to you. Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.