BUFFALO National River

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BUFFALO National River BUFFALO National River # have a SUPER visit Safely Use Preserve Enjoy this Resource Blanchard Springs Cavern, an underground at Marshall onto State Route 27. At Harriet fantasy world of cave formations. Located (12 miles) turn left (north) on State Route in and operated by the Ozark National 14 about 10 miles to Route 268, leading to Forest, east of the National River, about Buffalo Point. 15 miles northwest of Mountain View. The Lost Valley is reached via State Route Long before our Congress decided the Buffalo National Forest also operates public camp­ 43 south out of Harrison, or State Route River should be preserved, it was a popular grounds. 74, west from Jasper (on State Route 7, canoe stream and a favored recreation center- A visit to the Ozark Folk Center just 5 miles south of the River). point for the lower American Midwest. It's m outside Mountain View is a cultural must. establishment as a National River in the National =© Operated by the State of Arkansas, the Park System is now underway. Center features Ozark craftsmen, good ol' Harrison is the largest town near the Na­ Buffalo National River will eventually in­ mountain music, and an appreciation of tional River and offers all visitor needs. The clude more than 95,000 acres of rolling hill the distinctive Ozark culture. larger towns of the four county region are country. Today, 40 per cent of this is still pri­ Beaver and Table Rock Reservoirs and Jasper, Marshall, Yellville and Mountain vately owned. Please respect owner's privacy; Bull Shoals and Norfolk Lakes — all north ® Home. All offer at least minimal overnight do not trespass upon their lands. of the National River — offer an abundance and restaurant accommodations. € of water-oriented recreational opportun­ Limited lodging and dining facilities Canoeing is still the activity on the Buffalo. ities, with some of the best boating and are operated by a concessionaire at Buffalo Canoe rental services operate in or near the fishing found in America. Point from April through November. Ac­ park; rentals average $10 to $13 a day. Ex­ Perhaps the greatest attraction of commodations should be reserved in ad­ treme dry periods excepted, the Lower Buffalo River Country is to drive leisurely m vance by writing: Buffalo Point Conces­ River (east of Highway 65) can be floated through the countryside, exploring back € sionaire, Route A, Box 214, Yellville, almost any time; the Upper River is usually roads, and possibly picnicking under an AR, 72687. too low to canoe after May 1. old oak beside a babbling brook. To do The National River operates camp­ Buffalo Point (formerly Buffalo River this is to learn to love the Ozarks. ® grounds at Buffalo Point (123 sites with State Park) contains 2,020 acres of rug­ tables, grills, flush toilets and showers) and gedly wild and beautiful terrain, with caves, The Buffalo National River flows for some © Lost Valley (15 sites, primitive). All are on © nature trails, springs and the Buffalo River. 132 miles through four counties of north­ a first-come-first-served basis, with a 14-day Facilities include a modern campground, western Arkansas. East-west highways serv­ limit. A per night fee of $3 is charged at picnic area, three pavilions, canoe launch ing the region are U.S. 62 on the north and Buffalo Point. area, hiking trails and a swimming beach. 1-40 on the south. U.S. 65 crosses, north- During summer months, National Park south, through the region, intersecting There are several private campgrounds Service rangers conduct guided nature € U.S. 62 five miles southwest of Harrison along Highway 7 between Harrison and ® walks, campfire and related interpretive O and 1-40 near Conway, 25 miles north of Jasper. ® programs. Little Rock. State Highway 7 (north-south) Losr Valley (formerly Lost Valley also crosses the region, connecting with Summers along the Buffalo are humid. © State Park) is a wildly rugged narrow gorge © U.S. 62 at Harrison and 1-40 near Russell- Daytime temperatures are in the high 80's carved through sheer limestone cliffs over ville. © and 90's with nights moderate. Winters are © generally moderate but there are short eons of time by spring-fed waters of Clark Buffalo Point, the principal site of periods of severe cold. Creek. This fragile ecological unit is in the Service programs and activities, is best heart of the most rugged section of the reached from Yellville, on U.S. 62. Turn © The average annual rainfall is 45 inches, Ozark Mountains. The primitive camp­ south on State Route 14 about 14 miles but droughts do occur in late summer and ground is used by those who enjoy rough- to State Route 268, then east directly to ® fall. Snowfall is light and remains on the in'it! the area. From the south, turn off U.S. 65 ground only a short time. Peak visit months at Buffalo Point are May You won't have a good time if our through September, with most people Rangers have to remind you about rule € coming for weekends. During this period infractions. © the campground is generally full by early Keep pets on leash at all times when in afternoon. Try winter camping here; the developed area, campgrounds and on estab­ © campgrounds are not heavily used and lished trails. © floating is often possible. No firearms are permitted in the high ® Lost Valley's busy season is in the © visitor-use areas of Buffalo Point of Lost spring, when floating on the Upper River ® Valley. © is at its best. During this time we find it An Arkansas license is required for necessary to turn visitors away when the fishing or hunting along the River. JL campground is filled. Fall and winter here Quiet hours begin in the campgrounds \MI— often offer floating on the Upper River — at 10 p.m. and not often taken full advantage of. All accidents must be reported to a © Visitors and residents alike agree that Ranger as soon as they happen. BUFFALO the most pleasant time to visit the Buffalo Much of the land adjoining the River National River J) River country is in spring, when buds are is still in private ownership. Use of private ©2 -IMF abustin', or fall, when the folliage takes on lands without owner permission can have its red and gold coloring. serious consequences. If in doubt, don't trespass. Write the Ozark Society, Box 2914, Little o Rock, AR 72203, for information about ® their publications on the Buffalo River. As the Nation's principal conservation agency, the Department of the Interior has responsibility IF YOU CANOE for most of our nationally owned public lands . .wear a life jacket; don't float in danger­ and natural resources. This includes fostering the ous waters; watch for heavy rains causing wisest use of our land and water resources, high waters; take a partner, a first aid kit protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the -©=- and a litter bag. environmental and cultural values of our national parks and historical places, and IF YOU SWIM providing for the enjoyment of life through . .always swim with a buddy; be careful of outdoor recreation. The Department assesses submerged rocks when you dive; and be our energy and mineral resources and works careful that you don't step in a deep hole. to assure that their development is in the best interests of all our people. The Department also ® IF YOU HIKE OR CAMP has a major responsibility for American Indian . .wear proper clothing and take proper reservation communities and for people who live have a SUPER visit equipment; stay on the trails; stay away VVII— in Island Territories under U. S. administration. © from cliff edges; and don't climb the bluffs. Safely Always, please, leave wildlife alone. Use © Three of the four poisonous snakes found ® in the United States are found here: rattle­ National Park Service ~U.S. Preserve snakes, copperheads and cottonmouth water Enjoy moccasins. Department of the Interior this Resource &U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1977-779-23J .
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