We will definitely be adding more hikes in the Ponca Wilderness Area to our bucket list, such as a trek to the famous Hemmed in Hollow waterfall. This is the Little Missouri near Little Rock. Despite the wet and cold end to our hike, the view from Big Bluff was well worth it. If you love hiking in the wilderness, then youll love hiking the Centerpoint Trail to Big Bluff. All rights reserved. I love hoking & camping. Theres another small section though the trees and then you start to notice the trees to your right start to thin out and on your right, you start to see a bluff rise above you and then it opens up. The Centerpoint trail is broad and easy to walk, although like so many trails in mountainous Buffalo River country, its basically uphill all the way back (2.5 miles). Since we started the hike early and were the first ones on the trail, we had Big Bluff all to ourselves, which made the experience even better! What hotels are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? The views from the Goat Trail are incredible. Parking lot is pretty decent, not to busy, saw about 3-4 different groups. We entered at Center Point trail. While youll rarely see a wild goat on Big Bluff these days, a few feral goats do still roam the upper Buffalo River wilderness. event : evt, However, the trail was pretty rocky at times, so make sure you have good shoes and keep an eye on where youre stepping so you dont trip!After about 45 minutes to 1 hour of hiking on the Centerpoint Trail, youll reach an open area with a fire ring to the left and trails straight ahead (which we hear goes to the river) and to the right. Goat Trail to Big Bluff Trail Stats The Goat Trail to Big Bluff is 5.9 miles roundtrip and has an elevation change of 1,076 feet. You can watch our experience on the trail here to get a better idea of how the trail is. You'll receive your first newsletter soon! Youll know you made it when you see the rocky ledge that curves around the bluff, with open and incredible views of the Buffalo National River! This, ladies + gentlemen, is my favorite view in Arkansas. Highly recommend, for older/experienced hikers. This hike is one of the most popular hikes in the Buffalo National River and its no surprise why, as it features some of the best things the area has to offer: river views, mountains, and unique rock outcroppings. It is considered the tallest along the Buffalo at over 500 ft. tall. Same trail in same trial out. Please do go and enjoy the view. This trail features steep, rocky, and uneven terrain. From the very start of the Goat Bluff section though had AMAZING views and was so much fun. Consequently, plan extra time on the hike out as it's all uphill. From this fork is where the rocky bluff begins so you can hike to Big Bluff along the Goat Trail. forms: { Once you hit this spot, youre SO close to Big Bluff! 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. Finally I found two people who were riding a horse and were heading towards the place and I followed them. 360122 N 932147 W 2015 - Solo Pine. These views are amazing. The trail ends at the juncture of the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail. The trailhead is located on the right at 3.5 miles. Head down the gravel path, which turns into an old homestead road covered in leaf litter. The Centerpoint Trail is mostly a forested walk, with the occasional view through the trees of the surrounding area at the beginning. Its also home to waterfalls, rocky hikes, mountain views, valleys, the states only herd of elk, and so much more! Since the return hike is all uphill, youll definitely want some water, especially if you hike on a hot, sunny day! Some of these trees have been dated to over 800 years old by the National Park Service, so take a few moments to pause and wonder at these tenacious, gnarled sentinels as they watch over the bluff and the river. What a beautiful spot for hiking. The majority of this trail strolls through the forest. We only recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! When researching this hike we saw this hike called a variety of names. Every year residents of Northwest Arkansas and the river valley hear about Beaver Lake tragedies on the local news. There is not much cell service in the area and its helpful to track your progress on the trail, as well as verify the route if needed. Excellent trail. The bluff itself is "said to be" the tallest sheer vertical cliff face found between the Appalachians and the Rockies, with an estimated height of 560 feet! I have never been big into hiking but the more I see these photos, the more I want to get out there and do it full on. The trail is downhill all the way to Big Bluff, so the hike back to the parking lot is all uphill. Its great to see something you can do with the whole family too even if your mum was scared stiff! There are already a lot of great resources out there to help provide you with . The man explained that everyone came from the other side walking a lot but that in 10 minutes we would be there. AllTrails rates this trail as hard; however, I would argue that it is more of a moderate hike. 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! She's a road trip aficionado, an avid hiker, lover of learning + culture and an all-around wanderess. Amazing trial, its a little rough going down to the spot, all downhill just watch your step! 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. 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. We booked an RV site here the night before hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff and while we didnt get to enjoy the amenities due to arriving late, the property is VERY nice, the bathrooms are clean, and they even have a store and restaurant on site. And it may not be the best for small kiddos, unless you can keep them right by your side. Youll hear and read the route called different names, but they all mean the same thing. Its very steep, and very dangerous. The Centerpoint Trail leads into the rugged Ponca Wilderness of Buffalo National River. Inside them are nice spots for some shade. But the best part is that its all located on a great property with a store for your adventure needs and access to tons of activities, like kayaking, ziplining, mountain biking, and close proximity to hikes! Loved the hike back up. It is important to note that Goat Trail is not a place for those afraid of heights. The best! This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. There are about 800 Rocky Mountain elk, which were brought to the area to replace the Eastern elk that had gone extinct. This isnt the best hike for someone with a crippling fear of heights.TRAIL TIPS: As always, take plenty of water. Download the official NPS app before your next visit. You can find more info about where dogs are allowed at the Buffalo National River here. Such beautiful views reminds me a lot of the hikes we do on the NSW South Coast of Australia very similar views. There are over 6,000 cenotes on the Yucatn Penin, One of our favorite ways to experience a new place, Things to do in Hot Springs National Park, What to bring to hike the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, Things to know before hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, Our Experience Hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, Where to stay to hike the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, Other spots to check out in the Buffalo National River. 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! 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! This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. At 550-ft tall, Big Bluff is just thatbig. However, the thunder started shortly after we hit trail. We hope it helps you plan an epic adventure in the Buffalo National River! It is not advisable to bring children, liquor, or reckless behavior on this hike. Karen you will make it to the Ozarks! Your email address will not be published. Why Camping at Buffalo Point Campground is Awesome! { It was so beautiful! Make reservations at recreation.gov online or on the app. The best reason for going in the spring, though, is the sheer beauty of springtime in the Ozarks. Dont avoid these gorgeous places. You don't have to spend a lot of money or use a ton of vacation time to explore close to home. I bet going in the summer or fall is just as beautiful as each other. Seriously, watch that water coming down out of the mountains. The payoff is the bluffs, which are beautiful. 6.5 mile roundtrip and gorgeous views this looks like my kinda hike hehe. I have to add this to my list of my must-do hikes so I dont forget. The payout at the end of the strenuous hike is a wide open view of the Buffalo National River, plus a geological wonder. If you are not familiar with the area, we recommended downloading maps for offline use or having a topo map (we have this one). The trail map claims 3 miles to the start of Big Bluff from the Center-point Trail Head. So, if you see any of the following, youre in the right place: The hike from Centerpoint to Big Bluff starts from the Centerpoint Trailhead outside of Ponca, AR. Wed suggest starting the hike early so you can enjoy the bluff without a lot of people, which will make it feel safer and more enjoyable.Although, we will agree, if you do not like heights, you may not love Big Bluff. Hi Marianne thanks for reading and leaving a comment. Hi Beverley thanks for reading and commenting. We will only ever recommend products we truly love, actually use during our adventures, and think you can benefit from too! If youre hiking in the Ponca area, you might enjoy checking out these other hiking trails: Check back soon for new articles about hiking in the Buffalo National River, Ponca Wilderness, Ozark National Forest, and Northwest Arkansas! After about 2.6 miles, youll reach a clearing with a campfire ring, where you will want to hang a right to take Goat Trail along the edge of Big Bluff. Big Bluff is part of the Buffalo River Trail, so dont think the trail will simply end. This section of the hike follows a narrow path along the edge of Big Bluff, with a very steep and long drop-off to the Buffalo River below. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Located 30 miles west of downtown St. Louis, Babler State Park is home to an impressive 2,400-acre old-growth forest ecosystem. Techno-Tainment Combo in Branson, Dublin's Irish Tenors and The Celtic Ladies, Great Woodsman Zipline Canopy Tour Branson. We left our little hikers at home for this one as its definitely more of a challenge and a bit treacherous at spots. It takes 4 to 5 hours to complete the round-trip hike, most of which is along the Centerpoint Trail, the trailhead for which is located 3 miles north of Ponca on Hwy 43. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. There's a spur off the Centerpoint Trail called Goat Trail, which leads to Big Bluff, a bluff over 500 ft tall and considered the tallest bluff along the Buffalo River. The "Goat Trail" to Big Bluff is narrow and dangerous; visitors should proceed with extreme caution when hiking this section of trail. Published by on October 31, 2021. The trail is tight in places (where it gets the Goat Trail name) and not suitable for young children. This looks like a great hike to do, but Im really not great with heights so Im not sure how Id feel about some of the narrow ledges and paths. The Bluffs along Buffalo National River Flickr/Buffalo Outdoor Center Good grief, don't try to jump off a cliff into the river. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. Its a downhill trek until you get to the Goat Trail, but it never felt super steep. The differences between your fall and summer pics are so stunning! highly encourage everyone to see this. Simply enter your email to get adventures from across the world, inspiration + conversations about all things travel delivered right to your inbox! The trail becomes a bit more choose your own adventure in some areas, where you can climb up some rocks to continue on the trail, or stick to the more traditional trail. Follow this old road until you see the first obvious fork to the right. Located just 6 minutes from the trailhead, JB Trading Co is a great spot to call home in the Buffalo National River. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. You can do it! Hello from the Florida Keys! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. The fork to the right is NOT MARKED with an obvious trail sign but takes you to the Big Bluff (Goat Trail). A slip could break your leg or neck. The trail is virtually all downhill on the way to the Bluff and Goat Trail. Good grief, dont try to jump off a cliff into the river. The Goat Trail is the narrow ledge trail that spurs off of the Centerpoint Trail and takes you out onto Big Bluff. Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! This is another trail on which youll want to have plenty of water and a hearty snack along, as well as possess a reasonably good physical fitness level in order to enjoy. Buzzards tend to be the wildlife one sees on Big Bluff or at least an abundance of the gray down feathers youll find scattered about where they roost. If that parking lot fills up, there is another parking lot across the road that seems to be privately owned and they charge a fee to park there.We started our hike at sunrise on a Monday and were the first car in the parking lot. So the return trip was pretty tiring. This 5-mile out and back hike ventures up a coastal canyon at the south end of Montaa de Oro State Park. As you can see on the map above, as well as on the AllTrails page, the hike to Big Bluff is all downhill, which means that you'll be going all uphill on the way back. Nice to see a comment from you! As long as youre cautious, youll be totally fine! We love our Camelbak bladder for hikes because it stores a ton of water and its easy to drink while moving. And similar to West Virginia, we think this area is majorly underrated and a hidden gem! Wed highly recommend downloading the AllTrails map for the route youre hiking before you go. Because they look so vastly different, Im going to share them separately so you can see the difference. My wife and I drove down from Springfield Mo after friends told us how great this hike was. Running water and flushing toilets operate seasonally. Great views, great scenery,. It's approximately 6.5 miles round trip and moderately hard due to the loose rocks and incline. Although there are several ways to . Parking lot is at a crossroads and the trail is clearly marked. The hike itself is mostly downhill . Required fields are marked *. We recommend hiking with comfortable hiking shoes, wool socks, a sun hat, sunglasses, a daypack, and sweat-wicking clothes you can layer. You can take a look at the map below before heading out. The first summer visit we made here, Matt and I got up early, picked up my parents and set off for a day trip. Again, avoid is a strong word. I didnt feel the hill out was as bad as it was made out to be either. Park at the Center Point trailhead. We hope to get to hike Goat Trail again sometime when the weather is better, and we have more time to enjoy the view. Documented service animals welcome. Here are a few recommendations for lodging near the hike, as well as the other activities nearby! Incredible photography! I was and am still scared of heights. A great hike for a group. Pin this hiking guide to help plan your adventure! 93% of travelers recommend this experience. } Sign up to get travel updates, guides, vlogs, and other resources delivered straight to your inbox once a month! Then the trail dips down for the next 1.5 miles or so and then comes back up. Four months ago, Eric and I took a weekend trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for one last hurrah just before his knee surgery. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread. The Centerpoint to Goat Trail is one of the most popular trails in Buffalo National River. There is a dedicated parking lot for the hike which has room for probably about 15 cars. 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. To get to the Goat Trail, start the hike from Centerpoint Trailhead. With breathtaking views of the river, mountains, and bluff at the end, it combines so many of the things that make the Buffalo National River special! Hiking to Big Bluff: The hike takes from 4 to 5 hours to complete round trip if you're in decent shape. Wearing layers helps regulate your body temperature when hiking to keep your body warm or cool, depending on the weather. Big Bluff & The Goat Trail (Compton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. This creek level is OK. Feel free to splash around in water levels two or three times this highjust know that flash flooding is a real problem in the springtime, and water levels can rise suddenly. And the highlight of our time there was hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff (watch our experience)! Small gravel parking lot. Relatively easy hike for this 6 mile round trip trek. The most popular hiking destination from Centerpoint is Big Bluff, which features a panoramic vista of the Buffalo River and surrounding wilderness. Looks like a great place to hike and some amazing views for your rewards. Buzzards frequent this area and youllfind feathersalong the trail. It sure looks like it was worth it for those stunning views though. This 4.5-mile hike summits a 1,347-foot peak with stunning views over Montaa de Oro. Id love to visit this place twice so itll be hard to choose even when to go once. It's difficult coming down and even harder coming back up. The trail got a little confusing when you get to the intersection between goat trail and center point. This is the main Centerpoint Trail. OK, lets talk about the ledge trail (or Goat Trail) on Big Bluff for a moment. The area was incredibly remote and quiet. After some of our close friends explored the state earlier this year, we realized how gorgeous it was and made it a top priority for the fall on our way back to Texas.We kicked off our time in the state mountain biking and exploring Bentonville before heading down to the Buffalo National River area for some hiking. Happy hiking! We'll be sharing monthly travel tips and our favorite places to help you plan the best road trips, hiking, and camping! Just saying.. am I the only one wondering that? Yes, its beautiful. We started early in the day to ensure we got parking in the lot. You most likely wont see any while youre there, but they do roam somewhere out there!Once getting onto the Goat Trail, the scenery starts to get more interesting. ); The Goat Trail is the narrow ledge trail that spurs off of the Centerpoint Trail and takes you out onto Big Bluff. If you start this hike in the afternoon, carry a light source just in case you're out after dark. We had our hearts set on the well-known Centerpoint to Goat Trail, a 5.9 mile out and back trail whose destination is a famously breathtaking view of the Buffalo River. Goat Bluff Trail Moderate 4 (84) Buffalo National River Photos (88) Directions Print/PDF map Length 3.0 miElevation gain 275 ftRoute type Out & back Try this 3.0-mile out-and-back trail near Compton, Arkansas. 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. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. Despite being managed by the National Park Service, hiking the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, as well as accessing the rest of the Buffalo National River is free! Users of the outdoors website All Trails rated Cougar Crest 4.5 out of 5 stars and listed it as "moderate." Related Articles Goat Trail is on our list this fall! A lot of parking at trailhead and it was muddy when I went but over all was good (12/18/2022). big bluff goat trail deaths. Get more stories delivered right to your email. We got a later start than expected due to spending extra time on Hawks Bill Crag and Glory Hole Falls trails. The hardest part of the trail looks like an old gravel bed with a lot of loose rocks. The mountains that surround the area are also very beautiful! While youre in the area, there are other great hikes. The Centerpoint Trailhead is located five minutes or 3.3 miles north of Ponca, Arkansas, off AR HWY 43 N. Ponca is an adorable mountain town in the middle of (almost) nowhere within the upper Buffalo National River. there is a shorter hike alternative that is only 3 miles instead if 6 if you want less hiking. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. The view from the bluffs in breathtaking as you stand right at the edge and overlook the buffalo. Bring bug spray! Maumelle Campground. The Goat Trail takes hikers along the narrow edge of Big Bluff with a sheer vertical drop to the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas. We arrived at the Centerpoint Trailhead bright and early on a Monday morning in November. Good for your mom for getting up and out there, Im sure she liked the views once she got there, even if they were a little scary. Centerpoint Trail continues straight here if by chance you are uninterested in the view from the cliff. Matt took this photo and thats me walking along the narrow trail. No restrooms there, but a decent gas stop and convenience store was just a short distance before we got there. Spring is my favorite time of year to go anywhere in the Ozarks for multiple reasons. This crazy formation is inside one of the overhangs. 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. You can often find us driving all around the US and Canada, scoping out the best coffee shops, eating tacos and ice cream (were a 5+ taco and 2+ scoop household), and enjoying nature. The ledge trail to the big bluff, called Goat Trail, is not maintained by the National Park Service. I have an 8 year old thats an experienced hiker that I will bring back. The Goat Trail to Big Bluffover the Buffalo National River. Check out our other guides: Before embarking on your adventure, please review theLeave No Trace principlesto ensure you leave every place better than you found it, so that others can enjoy these beautiful places for many years to come!These seven principles include planning ahead and preparing, hiking and camping on durable surfaces, disposing of waste properly (pack out what you pack in! Paige Wunder is based in the Ozarks where she lives with her husband. This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher. It was so foggy you could not see the river or the mountains, we waited an hour and the fog had lifted. What an incredible view! Be sure to read the terms + conditions of these sites when booking or purchasing! From Ponca, drive 3 miles north on Hwy 43 to the Centerpoint Trailhead, located at the Firetower Road junction. Buffalo Outdoor Center is an adventure lovers dream! Hiking out to the bluffs is pretty much downhill all the way, making the hike back completely uphill. You could likely squeeze through this hole, but wed suggest going down below it on the more traditional trail to get around it. What attractions are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? 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! Unfortunately, after checking the radar, it seemed the storm would be raging for a while once it started, so we and the others started to high-tail it out of there. Each is a beautiful and unique experience. At a corner I saw a horse path and decided to follow it. Theres also a dead tree on the bluff that has years upon years of buzzard stuff lacquered over it. Learn More. 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.