FOLD

National Park Service DESCRIPTION OF U.S. Department of the Interior BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER Buffalo National River Buffalo National River is located in northwestern Arkansas Arkansas and was established by Congress in 1972 (Public Law 92-237) as the country’s first national river. Although approximately 135 miles of the free-flowing river are included within the boundaries of the national river, only 11% of the overall watershed is under direct NPS management, comprising 94,293 acres. In addition to visitor water-based activities with multiple launch points along the river, the park offers more than 100 miles of hiking trails and designated trails for horseback riding. Three designated wilderness areas are included in the park boundaries. Because there are few roads which parallel the river and few accessible overlooks, river and trail trips are among the best ways to experience the park.

Buffalo NatioNal RiveR

To Flippin, Buffalo City, To 62 and 412 To 44 North Mountain Home, and Ozark 412 River access point Information station Drinking water 90mi 0 1 5 Kilometers National Scenic Riverways 145km 62 Distances between river 65 Campground 0 1 5 Miles 62 access points are shown Public telephone 62 412 HARRISON 412 YELLVILLE Croo on the diagram below. Park Headquarters ked Creek Average floating time at Primitive campsite Interpretive trail “ample floating level” is 5mi 23mi 37km about two miles per hour. Historic site 8km 126 Bellefonte Buffalo National Wilderness area er River Authorized iv R Area W hi Private property exists Unpaved road te Buffalo City

within the authorized area. 206 65 Please respect owners’ rights. 235

14 k

7 Cla e

WARNING 43 bb e er r

C Locally heavy rains cause rivers Ru 206 sh C r C a and streams to rise rapidly. Pick 26mi 35mi re re Rush ek e d Co e w campsites that allow an escape 42km 56km k Cre Landing C ek 14mi Elephant Head route. C Rush Rock o 13mi 23km v r e LOWER BUFFALO 21km e Do not dive or jump into the 6035 WILDERNESS iv river. Swim only in clear, calm C R ood r eatherw water and check below the e Bu L e ffa k lo reek surface for submerged objects. Dogpatch C P Toney Western Grove Caney an th Bend C Erbie Indian e LEATHERWOOD e r Compton c Rockhouse i k C l e r WILDERNESS e Pruitt Ranger Station Compton C ek r 532 3mi re C

Hemmed-in Trailhead l 5km l M Hollow Parking i 268 id dle Ford M ek 123 Buffalo Point Creek PONCA Cre Foundation Statement Kyles Ozark Flatrock Ranger Station Parker-Hickman D Pindall Center Point WILDERNESS Landing a Maumee South Dillards Ferry Skull S Farmstead v W n Pruitt Landing i (Highway 14 Bridge) Rock Trailhead ee s a ds t Parking Cr er eek Camp Orr (BSA) OZARK LOAFER‘S GLORY WMA (AG&FC) for

Cre Big Bluff Gray Rock B ek Spring Creek u 65 Cozahome NATIONAL f T C om Roark Bluff f M Steel Creek k Creek r ill ah Henry Koen 5mi a s e a e ll e Creek wk Maumee North FOREST e Experimental 8km l e k r o W St. Joe C C Forest C 99 r l e a n e S (USDA-FS) k r To Blanchard t a k k C e i r e d e Springs Caverns, e 74 R Hasty l n e Ponca e I S 14 10mi Ozark Folk Center, i p r Villines Farms k v Gilbert r in 16km C and Mountain View Ponca e Red g Eden Falls Cr r Bluff LOAFER‘S Cr L Hasty Woolum 374 Lost Valley ea 14mi Mt. Hersey Tyler Bend GLORY t Buffalo National River h 23km JASPER R C e 333 WMA u re Visitor Center g y nn e rw i 21 le i r B al n k o e Harriet 5mi V g o iv Carver 8km C d R y r 49 e e 43 l e alo 14 Baker x k ff 14 o u 74 Skull Ford B B Grinders Ferry Bluff (Highway 65 Bridge) A 7 GENE RUSH WMA Collier B 10mi rri Homestead r Morning Star ngt u 16km C on k (Arkansas Game & s r le e h k ee t e k t e Fish Commission) e i r The Narrows r L Piercetown C Boxley Bridge C (The Nars)

k ch e e e k Be e r Ri ree a or write to:

c C B C h C r 27 l r a e n e g d i k

CONTACT INFORMATION UPPER

B

V

BUFFALO ek a Point

e l

r l e Superintendent

d Peter

WILDERNESS C n y e a 74 v l a h 21 c C i f C Mount R l r a e For more information about the e Judea 123 C k Buffalo National River MARSHALL UPPER BUFFALO 65 To 40 OZARK NATIONAL FOREST To 40 To 40 WILDERNESS 51mi 65mi 69mi Buffalo National River Foundation Statement,contact: 402 N Walnut St, Suite 136 82km 105km 111km Park Headquarters 870-365-2700 or www.nps.gov/buff Harrison, AR 72601 Spring Buffalo River access point: Ponca Pruitt Landing Carver Mt. Hersey Woolum Baker Ford Gilbert Maumee N Creek Point Rush Landing Buffalo City River distances: 6.1mi 2.6mi 8mi 5.7mi 5.4mi 2.1mi 7mi 4mi 6.8mi 8.5mi 11.1mi 4.2mi 1.4mi 4.2mi 11.8mi 4.7mi 4.6mi 1.5mi 7.5mi 24.4mi 11mi River access point: Boxley Bridge Steel Creek Kyles Landing Erbie Ozark Hasty Tyler Bend Grinders Ferry Maumee S Dillards Ferry To Norfolk

Buffalo National River is a long, narrow park that is crossed by three main highways. Using Harrison as FOLD a starting point, to reach the Upper District, visitors Buffalo travel south from Harrison on Highway 7, or High- National River • Arkansas way 43; to reach the Middle District, visitors travel 31 miles south of Harrison on Highway 65; to reach the Kevin G. Cheri, Superintendent Lower District, visitors take Highway 65 south from 402 N Walnut St, Suite 136 Harrison for 5 miles, then take Highway 62/412 to the Harrison, AR 72601 east to Yellville, and Highway 14 south.

Draft Foundation for Planning and Management 5 Purpose Significance Fundamental Resources and Values

Significance statements express why the park’s Fundamental resources and values are those that • Archeological Resources. Among the over resources and values are important enough to warrant primary consideration during planning and 700 recorded prehistoric and historic warrant national park system designation. These management because they are critical to achieving archeological sites, two bluffshelters, Cob statements are directly related to the park’s the park’s purpose and maintaining its significance. Cave and the Indian Rockhouse, have purpose, are substantiated by data or consensus, Fundamental resources and values may include provided pivotal information that contributes and reflect the most current scientific or scholarly features, systems, processes, experiences, stories, to the understanding of prehistoric life. inquiry and cultural perceptions, which may have scenes, etc. If the fundamental resources and values are changed since the park’s establishment. degraded, the purpose of the park and its significance • Ethnographic Resources. Continuation of are jeopardized. farming in Boxley and other agricultural areas A Free-Flowing River. Buffalo River is an perpetuates traditional activities and land use. exceptional example of a free-flowing Ozark The fundamental resources and values of Buffalo Oral histories document events, traditions, mountain river. Undammed, undiminished by National River are and lifeways of Buffalo River settlers. the hand of man, it is the only river protected for its entire length within the Ozark Plateau. As a • Physical and Biological Processes. The river • Wildlife Habitat. There are exceptional dynamic river ecosystem, Buffalo River is important has sculpted a dynamic physical environment wildlife populations within diverse native The purpose of Buffalo National for scientific discoveries and advances in ecosystem characterized by a diversity of channels communities that include various types of management and restoration. meandering through narrow alluvial bottomlands, forests, woodlands, wetlands, savannas, and River is to preserve, conserve, quiet pools separated by short riffles, and swift globally significant glade complexes. and interpret a clear, clean, Karst Geology. Buffalo National River contains running rapids that cut deeply through bedrock a dense array of karst features, including over 360 and rearrange natural features such as gravel bars • Plants. There are more than 700 native free-flowing river and its Ozark caves and thousands of sinkholes, sinking streams, and islands. plants, including the endemic and culturally mountain setting of deep valleys, springs, and other natural features related to significant Ozark chinquapin tree, Ashe’s karst processes. In several places the entire river • Aquatic and Riparian Habitat. The free-flowing juniper and a substantial array of native towering bluffs, wilderness, and runs underground for over a mile. Outstanding river and its associated biological communities and flowers. pastoral landscapes. examples of faulting, landslides, ore mineralization, natural features offer exceptional opportunities for and world renowned fossil deposits have formed scientific discoveries and advances in aquatic and • Recreational Opportunities. Every during its long geologic history. riparian ecosystem management and restoration. year, over a million visitors explore, enjoy, and appreciate the scenic beauty, historic Ozark Cultural Landscape. The entire park • Fitton Cave. Arkansas’ longest cave, Fitton Cave, characteristics, and wilderness setting of the is an outstanding cultural landscape which has impressive displays of gypsum flowers and Buffalo National River. embraces the overall story of Ozarks settlement needles of uncommon size and beauty, angel hair, and history from the first prehistoric inhabitants and pendants, as well as cascading flowstone • Wilderness Experience. The three to today’s living rural community of Boxley Valley, waterfalls, and other calcite crystalline formations. wilderness areas within Buffalo National River providing opportunities to study and interpret provide visitors the opportunity to experience cultural, environmental, technological, and social • Cave Environments. Cave environments provide solitude, mental and physical challenge, and adaptations. habitat for unusual organisms with specialized spiritual enrichment. adaptations, such as extreme longevity and A Complex Ecosystem. The convergence of enhanced sensory perceptions. northern and southern ecosystems, the joining of western and eastern species, a rich blend of • Scientific Study. Karst features provide living botanical communities and abundance of fire- laboratories for a wide range of scientific studies adapted habitats, creates an ecosystem recognized including global climate change, ecological locally, nationally, and globally as unique. restoration, hydrology, and conservation biology.

Exceptional Recreation Setting. Buffalo National • Historic Resources. The architectural and River’s spectacular waterfalls, limestone bluffs, engineering legacy of buildings, structures, clear water, wooded canyons, and wilderness landscapes, objects, roads and trails provides provide an exceptional setting for recreational the visitor with a physical connection to Ozark opportunities unequaled in this part of the country. history and a laboratory for research topics such as pioneer homesteads, Civil War events, mining, industry, and recreation. Purpose Significance Fundamental Resources and Values

Significance statements express why the park’s Fundamental resources and values are those that • Archeological Resources. Among the over resources and values are important enough to warrant primary consideration during planning and 700 recorded prehistoric and historic warrant national park system designation. These management because they are critical to achieving archeological sites, two bluffshelters, Cob statements are directly related to the park’s the park’s purpose and maintaining its significance. Cave and the Indian Rockhouse, have purpose, are substantiated by data or consensus, Fundamental resources and values may include provided pivotal information that contributes and reflect the most current scientific or scholarly features, systems, processes, experiences, stories, to the understanding of prehistoric life. inquiry and cultural perceptions, which may have scenes, etc. If the fundamental resources and values are changed since the park’s establishment. degraded, the purpose of the park and its significance • Ethnographic Resources. Continuation of are jeopardized. farming in Boxley and other agricultural areas A Free-Flowing River. Buffalo River is an perpetuates traditional activities and land use. exceptional example of a free-flowing Ozark The fundamental resources and values of Buffalo Oral histories document events, traditions, mountain river. Undammed, undiminished by National River are and lifeways of Buffalo River settlers. the hand of man, it is the only river protected for its entire length within the Ozark Plateau. As a • Physical and Biological Processes. The river • Wildlife Habitat. There are exceptional dynamic river ecosystem, Buffalo River is important has sculpted a dynamic physical environment wildlife populations within diverse native The purpose of Buffalo National for scientific discoveries and advances in ecosystem characterized by a diversity of channels communities that include various types of management and restoration. meandering through narrow alluvial bottomlands, forests, woodlands, wetlands, savannas, and River is to preserve, conserve, quiet pools separated by short riffles, and swift globally significant glade complexes. and interpret a clear, clean, Karst Geology. Buffalo National River contains running rapids that cut deeply through bedrock a dense array of karst features, including over 360 and rearrange natural features such as gravel bars • Plants. There are more than 700 native free-flowing river and its Ozark caves and thousands of sinkholes, sinking streams, and islands. plants, including the endemic and culturally mountain setting of deep valleys, springs, and other natural features related to significant Ozark chinquapin tree, Ashe’s karst processes. In several places the entire river • Aquatic and Riparian Habitat. The free-flowing juniper and a substantial array of native towering bluffs, wilderness, and runs underground for over a mile. Outstanding river and its associated biological communities and flowers. pastoral landscapes. examples of faulting, landslides, ore mineralization, natural features offer exceptional opportunities for and world renowned fossil deposits have formed scientific discoveries and advances in aquatic and • Recreational Opportunities. Every during its long geologic history. riparian ecosystem management and restoration. year, over a million visitors explore, enjoy, and appreciate the scenic beauty, historic Ozark Cultural Landscape. The entire park • Fitton Cave. Arkansas’ longest cave, Fitton Cave, characteristics, and wilderness setting of the is an outstanding cultural landscape which has impressive displays of gypsum flowers and Buffalo National River. embraces the overall story of Ozarks settlement needles of uncommon size and beauty, angel hair, and history from the first prehistoric inhabitants and pendants, as well as cascading flowstone • Wilderness Experience. The three to today’s living rural community of Boxley Valley, waterfalls, and other calcite crystalline formations. wilderness areas within Buffalo National River providing opportunities to study and interpret provide visitors the opportunity to experience cultural, environmental, technological, and social • Cave Environments. Cave environments provide solitude, mental and physical challenge, and adaptations. habitat for unusual organisms with specialized spiritual enrichment. adaptations, such as extreme longevity and A Complex Ecosystem. The convergence of enhanced sensory perceptions. northern and southern ecosystems, the joining of western and eastern species, a rich blend of • Scientific Study. Karst features provide living botanical communities and abundance of fire- laboratories for a wide range of scientific studies adapted habitats, creates an ecosystem recognized including global climate change, ecological locally, nationally, and globally as unique. restoration, hydrology, and conservation biology.

Exceptional Recreation Setting. Buffalo National • Historic Resources. The architectural and River’s spectacular waterfalls, limestone bluffs, engineering legacy of buildings, structures, clear water, wooded canyons, and wilderness landscapes, objects, roads and trails provides provide an exceptional setting for recreational the visitor with a physical connection to Ozark opportunities unequaled in this part of the country. history and a laboratory for research topics such as pioneer homesteads, Civil War events, mining, industry, and recreation. FOLD

National Park Service DESCRIPTION OF U.S. Department of the Interior BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER Buffalo National River Buffalo National River is located in northwestern Arkansas Arkansas and was established by Congress in 1972 (Public Law 92-237) as the country’s first national river. Although approximately 135 miles of the free-flowing river are included within the boundaries of the national river, only 11% of the overall watershed is under direct NPS management, comprising 94,293 acres. In addition to visitor water-based activities with multiple launch points along the river, the park offers more than 100 miles of hiking trails and designated trails for horseback riding. Three designated wilderness areas are included in the park boundaries. Because there are few roads which parallel the river and few accessible overlooks, river and trail trips are among the best ways to experience the park.

Buffalo NatioNal RiveR

To Flippin, Buffalo City, To 62 and 412 To 44 North Mountain Home, and Ozark 412 River access point Information station Drinking water 90mi 0 1 5 Kilometers National Scenic Riverways 145km 62 Distances between river 65 Campground 0 1 5 Miles 62 access points are shown Public telephone 62 412 HARRISON 412 YELLVILLE Croo on the diagram below. Park Headquarters ked Creek Average floating time at Primitive campsite Interpretive trail “ample floating level” is 5mi 23mi 37km about two miles per hour. Historic site 8km 126 Bellefonte Buffalo National Wilderness area er River Authorized iv R Area W hi Private property exists Unpaved road te Buffalo City

within the authorized area. 206 65 Please respect owners’ rights. 235

14 k

7 Cla e

WARNING 43 bb e er r

C Locally heavy rains cause rivers Ru 206 sh C r C a and streams to rise rapidly. Pick 26mi 35mi re re Rush ek e d Co e w campsites that allow an escape 42km 56km k Cre Landing C ek 14mi Elephant Head route. C Rush Rock o 13mi 23km v r e LOWER BUFFALO 21km e Do not dive or jump into the 6035 WILDERNESS iv river. Swim only in clear, calm C R ood r eatherw water and check below the e Bu L e ffa k lo reek surface for submerged objects. Dogpatch C P Toney Western Grove Caney an th Bend C Erbie Indian e LEATHERWOOD e r Compton c Rockhouse i k C l e r WILDERNESS e Pruitt Ranger Station Compton C ek r 532 3mi re C

Hemmed-in Trailhead l 5km l M Hollow Parking i 268 id dle Ford M ek 123 Buffalo Point Creek PONCA Cre Foundation Statement Kyles Ozark Flatrock Ranger Station Parker-Hickman D Pindall Center Point WILDERNESS Landing a Maumee South Dillards Ferry Skull S Farmstead v W n Pruitt Landing i (Highway 14 Bridge) Rock Trailhead ee s a ds t Parking Cr er eek Camp Orr (BSA) OZARK LOAFER‘S GLORY WMA (AG&FC) for

Cre Big Bluff Gray Rock B ek Spring Creek u 65 Cozahome NATIONAL f T C om Roark Bluff f M Steel Creek k Creek r ill ah Henry Koen 5mi a s e a e ll e Creek wk Maumee North FOREST e Experimental 8km l e k r o W St. Joe C C Forest C 99 r l e a n e S (USDA-FS) k r To Blanchard t a k k C e i r e d e Springs Caverns, e 74 R Hasty l n e Ponca e I S 14 10mi Ozark Folk Center, i p r Villines Farms k v Gilbert r in 16km C and Mountain View Ponca e Red g Eden Falls Cr r Bluff LOAFER‘S Cr L Hasty Woolum 374 Lost Valley ea 14mi Mt. Hersey Tyler Bend GLORY t Buffalo National River h 23km JASPER R C e 333 WMA u re Visitor Center g y nn e rw i 21 le i r B al n k o e Harriet 5mi V g o iv Carver 8km C d R y r 49 e e 43 l e alo 14 Baker x k ff 14 o u 74 Skull Ford B B Grinders Ferry Bluff (Highway 65 Bridge) A 7 GENE RUSH WMA Collier B 10mi rri Homestead r Morning Star ngt u 16km C on k (Arkansas Game & s r le e h k ee t e k t e Fish Commission) e i r The Narrows r L Piercetown C Boxley Bridge C (The Nars)

k ch e e e k Be e r Ri ree a or write to:

c C B C h C r 27 l r a e n e g d i k

CONTACT INFORMATION UPPER

B

V

BUFFALO ek a Point

e l

r l e Superintendent

d Peter

WILDERNESS C n y e a 74 v l a h 21 c C i f C Mount R l r a e For more information about the e Judea 123 C k Buffalo National River MARSHALL UPPER BUFFALO 65 To 40 OZARK NATIONAL FOREST To 40 To 40 WILDERNESS 51mi 65mi 69mi Buffalo National River Foundation Statement,contact: 402 N Walnut St, Suite 136 82km 105km 111km Park Headquarters 870-365-2700 or www.nps.gov/buff Harrison, AR 72601 Spring Buffalo River access point: Ponca Pruitt Landing Carver Mt. Hersey Woolum Baker Ford Gilbert Maumee N Creek Point Rush Landing Buffalo City River distances: 6.1mi 2.6mi 8mi 5.7mi 5.4mi 2.1mi 7mi 4mi 6.8mi 8.5mi 11.1mi 4.2mi 1.4mi 4.2mi 11.8mi 4.7mi 4.6mi 1.5mi 7.5mi 24.4mi 11mi River access point: Boxley Bridge Steel Creek Kyles Landing Erbie Ozark Hasty Tyler Bend Grinders Ferry Maumee S Dillards Ferry To Norfolk

Buffalo National River is a long, narrow park that is crossed by three main highways. Using Harrison as FOLD a starting point, to reach the Upper District, visitors Buffalo travel south from Harrison on Highway 7, or High- National River • Arkansas way 43; to reach the Middle District, visitors travel 31 miles south of Harrison on Highway 65; to reach the Kevin G. Cheri, Superintendent Lower District, visitors take Highway 65 south from 402 N Walnut St, Suite 136 Harrison for 5 miles, then take Highway 62/412 to the Harrison, AR 72601 east to Yellville, and Highway 14 south.

Draft Foundation for Planning and Management 5