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Map & Directions...
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From Little Rock and South
Take I-40 West to Exit 64 at Lamar. Go west on Hwy 64, 9 miles to Ark Hwy 21 North and go 50 miles to Boxley. Then turn right onto Hwy 43 North to Ponca....BOC is 4.5 miles north on the left-hand side of the road.
From Springdale, Fayetteville, Tulsa & Rogers area
Take U.S. Hwy 412 East to Hwy 21 South to Boxley. Then take Hwy 43 North....BOC is 4.5 miles north in Ponca on the left hand side.
From Branson, Springfield, St. Louis and Kansas City area
Take U.S. Hwy 65 South to Harrison, AR. Take Hwy 7 South....just as you leave Harrison take Hwy 43 South. 25 miles later you will be in Ponca. The BOC office will be on the right.
From Memphis and North East Arkansas
Take Hwy 63 North to Hwy 412/62 West into Harrison, AR. Take Hwy 7 South and just as you are leaving Harrison, hit Hwy 43 South. Stay on Hwy 43 and 25 miles later you will be in Ponca. The BOC office will be on the right.
From Fort Smith, Dallas and the South East
Come North to Fort Smith. Take I-40 East to Clarksville, AR. Take Hwy 21 North to Boxley. You will then take Hwy 43 North into Ponca. The BOC office will be on the left.
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Elk
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Perhaps the most popular animal to look for on the Buffalo is the majestic elk, which was reintroduced to the area beginning in 1981. Elk were native to the Ozark hardwood forest, but were hunted into extinction back in the mid-1800’s. Fortunately, through a successful management effort of the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission, over 800 elk now roam the Buffalo National River. In fact, the elk have thrived and reproduced so well that an annual elk hunt is now coordinated by the commission.
A large herd of elk can frequently be seen in the fields of the Boxley Valley (Hwy 43 South from Ponca), especially in the fall, winter and spring of the year. Field grasses offer them ample food during those seasons, however, once warmer weather and tree leaves appear, elk tend to move into the forest for shade and to feed on the tender foliage.
The best places to view elk in our area is along Highway 43 from the Ponca low water bridge access south to the Highway 21 junction. The elk are typically seen along the edges of the fields bordering the river. The best times to view elk are in the early morning and late evening hours, just after sunrise and just before sunset. In winter, however, the elk are frequently seen grazing throughout the day in the fields just south of the Ponca low water bridge.
The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission maintains an Elk Education Center across the street from our office on Highway 43 in Ponca. Admission is free and it’s a great place to learn about the elk as well as other Arkansas wildlife. Hours are 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM, Thursday through Monday, and the center is open year ‘round. The center is a must-visit if you have children!
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Wildlife
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An abundance of wildlife calls the Buffalo River wilderness home, including:
- White-tail deer
- Wild turkey
- Great-horned owls
- Bobcats
- Beaver
- Arkansas black bears
Deer and turkey are oftentimes spotted on the hiking trails or along roadsides. At night, the calls of great-horned and barred owls fill
the air, especially in late February and early March when their breeding season is in full swing.
A healthy black bear population also lives here and one can occasionally be seen when you’re hiking or floating. Generally, the bears
keep to themselves as they are typically afraid of humans. However, never assume that ANY wildlife is safe to approach and check with
local National Park Service authorities for the best way to deal with wildlife encounters.
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Buffalo River Fish
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The Buffalo River is home to several species of fish, including:
- Smallmouth bass
- Goggle-eye
- Catfish
- Carp and suckers
- Leopard gar
Spotting fish is part of the fun of a river float, while catching them is even more exciting! For those wanting to reel one in, visit
our Fishing page.
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Bird Watching
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The upper Buffalo River wilderness is a birdwatcher’s paradise. With its blend of native and migratory birds, there’s something special warbling, screeching, and hooting year ‘round!
Some of the year ‘round species you’ll enjoy include:
- Woodpeckers (hairy, downy, and pileated)
- Bluebirds
- Red-tailed and broad-shouldered hawks
- Cooper’s hawks
- Great-horned and barred owls
- Nighthawks
- Cardnials
- Nuthatches
- Tufted Titmouse
In the spring and summer, we’re also fortunate to have the following migratory birds:
- Wood thrush
- Summer tanagers
- Scarlet tanagers
- Indigo buntings
- Baltimore orioles
- Blue and rosy-breasted grosbeaks
- A variety of brightly-colored warblers, including the rare Cerulean warbler
In winter, the majestic bald eagle arrives. And, over the past two winters, we’ve had the privilege of hosting a pair of trumpeter swans on the Old Mill Pond in the Boxley Valley. In ’07, they brought a baby with them all the way from the Arctic Circle!
Many of these species can be seen from the comfort of your cabin’s porch, so you might want to pack along some binoculars when you come.
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Wildflowers
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Spring is an extra special time in Buffalo River country because of the host of wildflowers that bloom. Beginning with stark white bloodroot and bright yellow dogtooth lilies in March, every week brings something new to enjoy.
Some of our favorites include:
- Purple coneflower
- Yellow ladyslipper
- Fire pink
- Shooting star
- Crested iris
- Wild azalea
Mid- to late April is prime wildflower time, although beautiful wildflowers bloom throughout the summer and early fall on the Buffalo. It is unlawful to pick flowers in the park, but bring a digital photo of it to the office (or e-mail it) and we’ll help identify it for you!
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Animals & Plants to Avoid
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Snakes
Truthfully, snakes in these parts get a bad rap as most of them you see here are harmless. However, just be aware that a few are poisonous, including copperhead, rattlesnake, and cottonmouth. The Eastern watersnake is cleverly camouflaged to look like a copperhead, so many of the “copperheads” reported on the river are actually this harmless snake. Nevertheless, NEVER approach a snake or attempt to handle one. Be careful of fallen timber, rock piles, and ledges.
Ticks & Chiggers
Everyone’s favorite critters! Generally out and about in the spring and summer, but also prowling about on warm fall and winter days. It’s always a good idea to use insect repellent and avoid walkingthrough tall grass or thick brush.
Poisonous Plants
Yep, we’ve got ‘em: namely, poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak. Learning to identify these plants (“Three leaves leave be!”) is the best way to avoid exposure.
Bears
While bear sightings are few and far between, there is a rather healthy population that calls the Buffalo home. Should you come across a bear while hiking or camping, make loud noises and wave your arms. They tend to frighten quite easily and will typically move off in a hurry. A mother bear with cubs is something not to be messed with, so be sure she knows of your presence via all that hollering and arm waving, especially if you see her before she sees you.
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