It is not very steep. The Buffalo National River is home to a few more traditional campgrounds. 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. I love hiking and exploring new trails. Nice views. 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. big bluff goat trail deaths. Required fields are marked *. Yes, its beautiful. We were the only ones on the trail that we saw. Big Bluff demands we all be on our best behavior in exchange for enjoying one of the most lofty views of the Buffalo National River accessible by hiking trail. Thats not a joke. 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. Besides, the long hike out will be a struggle for them (and you). I bet going in the summer or fall is just as beautiful as each other. 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. The Big Bluff Trail and it's smaller tributary, the Goat Trail are approximately a four- to five-hour round-trip hike with a final destination of Big Bluff. Steel Creek Campground is managed by the National Park Service. If you turn right, youll see a sign on a tree that simply says Goat Trail and you follow it to Big Bluff. Learn how your comment data is processed. Wow! Awesome trail run today. You will certainly get some great pics of the river, the bluffs and the hills beyond. Check us out on YouTube! A lot of parking at trailhead and it was muddy when I went but over all was good (12/18/2022). This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. It sure looks like it was worth it for those stunning views though. But even more importantly, make sure you have bags to put your trash in so you can pack out what you brought. Please do go and enjoy the view. We were there in the fall and the river was almost dry. Check out our article with FREE apps we use to plan outdoor adventures hiking, camping, and road tripping all the time! Hi Marianne thanks for reading and leaving a comment. 43 from the Fire Tower Road intersection. Definitely recommend! This trail is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the state, & for good reason. Head down the gravel path, which turns into an old homestead road covered in leaf litter. There is really only one long stretch back up hill that is hard, but otherwise the climb back up wasnt that bad. We planned to make it for sunrise at the bluff, so we hit the trail at about 6 am. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) In fact, its so big that it has the distinction of being the tallest sheer bluff face found between the Rocky and Appalachian mountains. This trail is also not a place for young children. One is that the weather is much milder, meaning youll sweat less and be able to squeeze more into one day while staying somewhat comfortable. The main Centerpoint Trail is easy to hike and is through the trees. The trail got a little confusing when you get to the intersection between goat trail and center point. Have a great hike next time you go, Ashlee & Pablo. (Recommended) It's quite a hike from the Camp Grounds but doable. 97% of travelers recommend this experience. - Stock Photos provided by our partner Depositphotos, Designed by Elegant Themes | Powered by WordPress, Hi yall! Just saying.. am I the only one wondering that? The Buffalo National River is a designated International Dark Sky Park, recognizing and protecting its exceptionally dark and starry skies. You can see the Buffalo River Valley and all of its glory. 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. Only reason for the 4 stars is the return was all uphill the whole way and that snow and ice on the trail was much more an issue. The parking lot for the Centerpoint Trailhead fills up quickly. ), understanding campfire rules and always fully extinguishing your fires, respecting wildlife, and being considerate of other visitors. ); Enjoy the lake, folks, but be careful. The Springtime Jonquil Festival In Arkansas Thats Unlike Any Other, Spend A Magical Evening Savoring This Wine And Fondue Experience In Arkansas, Arkansas Oldest Drive-In Theater Is Hiding In A Small Town And Youll Want To Visit, Dine At The Historic Spot In Arkansas Where The Legendary Gangster Al Capone Drank Whiskey, Here Are The 6 Biggest Risks Living In The State Of Arkansas, This Recent Arkansas Phenomenon Is Shrouded In Mystery And Baffling Geologists, 10 Terrifying Things In Arkansas That Can (And Just Might) Kill You, This Waterfall Swimming Hole In Arkansas Is Perfect For A Summer Day. Although there is a perspective from the far eastern side of the Goat Trail (behind where the hiker in the photograph is walking) that is better suited for morning photography as its a west-facing shot. 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. Come along with us as we start at the Buffalo Outdoor Center Cabins, wake up early to take on the Center Point Trial to the Goat Trail eventually reaching the site of interest, Big Bluff, and give you our takeaways from the hike.What is the most sketchy hike you have ever done? SUBSCRIBE TO NOMADIC WEEKENDERS ON YOUTUBE https://www.youtube.com/c/NomadicWeekenders?sub_confirmation=1Shoot location listed below: Buffalo National River, Arkansas, USA Ozark National Forest, Arkansas, USA Center Point Trail, Arkansas, USA Goat Trail, Arkansas, USA Big Bluff, Arkansas, USAEquipment and software used to make this video listed below: DJI Mavic Air Canon Rebel T6i iPhone XS GoPro Hero 7 Black Adobe Premiere Pro CC 2017Get to know the Nomadic Weekenders:Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nomadicweekenders/ Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/NomadWeekenders Like our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NomadicWeekenders/ Check out our blog: https://www.nomadicweekenders.com/ Thanks for reading. AllTrails rates this trail as hard; however, I would argue that it is more of a moderate hike. THIS IS NOT A PLACE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. Big Bluff is part of the Buffalo River Trail, so dont think the trail will simply end. } Steep 2.5 mile hike out- but the trail is beautiful and worth the effort. I think this is my favorite Big Bluff photo because it really shows just how big thisbluff is. I was and am still scared of heights. It is important to note that Goat Trail is not a place for those afraid of heights. Some random moments from our two weeks in Mrida! 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. At 550-ft tall, Big Bluff is just thatbig. We absolutely loved it! Woo! 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! The later inthe year you get, the lower the Buffalo River gets. Maumelle Campground. For our first trip to Northwest Arkansas, we only had the opportunity to hike one trail. Your email address will not be published. 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. callback: cb You are two hearty hikers to do that in the rain! Thank you! I had to strip down when I got to the rocky ledge at 2.5mi or so & stayed that way the whole time. Would love to hike the Big Bluff Goat Trail with my family! From this fork is where the rocky bluff begins so you can hike to Big Bluff along the Goat Trail. The Goat trail EASILY provides one of the BEST scenic views of the Buffalo River. Hwy 43 Firetower Road junction Buffalo National River, Compton, AR 72624. window.mc4wp = window.mc4wp || { Come on an email adventure with us! At 550 feet, its the larges bluff face between the Rockies and Appalachians. We love creating short videos so you can visualize the trail conditions before your trip. Despite the wet and cold end to our hike, the view from Big Bluff was well worth it. If you begin this hike in the afternoon, please carry a light source just in case you hike out after dark. I have added this place in my bucket list. At a corner I saw a horse path and decided to follow it. 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 next day we woke up and left our packs in the tent by the river and hiked up to the falls. Are you looking for an incredible hike with epic views and relatively minimal scrambling in the Ozarks? 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. This iconic hike is located within the Ponca Wilderness, which is a very remote area in Northern Arkansas. Great photos! Big Bluff & The Goat Trail (Compton) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go. 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 youll be going all uphill on the way back.We had read reports beforehand that said it was a hard hike, but we didnt find the elevation gain to be that brutal on the hike back, but we did have a cooler, cloudy day, which helped!You start the hike at the Centerpoint trailhead in Compton, Arkansas before splitting off onto the Goat Trail, which takes you to Big Bluff, a cool, rocky bluff. What an incredible view! Note that with no foliage on the trees it's pretty warm out. The ledge at the end is wide enough for two people to walk side by side without being too close to the edge. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Its funny how the world replicates its landscapes over on the other sides of the world!! This hiking seems fun in Arkansas. We hope it helps you plan an epic adventure in the Buffalo National River! Its challenging but Im not an athlete and it was just hard enough. Dogs are not allowed on the Goat Trail to Big Bluff, as well as on many of the trails nearby. This, ladies + gentlemen, is my favorite view in Arkansas. Absolutely incredible views but the return hike is challenging. Check out our channel to get outdoor adventure inspiration! Although there are no waterfalls on this trail, there are quite a few in the area, so itll give you more options of hikes to do before or after. Buffalo Outdoor Center is an adventure lovers dream! Big Bluff is an incredible hike in Northwest Arkansas that takes you to the aptly named, you guessed it, Big Bluff. 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. Its an out and back hike, so you will return the same way as you came.One important thing we wanted to mention about this trail is its name. The Centerpoint Trail leads into the rugged Ponca Wilderness of Buffalo National River. 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. Views from the bluffs are incomparable, and it served as the perfect place to catch up on some reading on a beautiful sunny day. Snow melting but not muddy. There are a few names for hiking to this specific viewpoint in Buffalo National River. It is considered the tallest along the Buffalo at over 500 ft. tall. Those views are incredible and definitely (I would assume) worth the hike! A little muddy, but no traction needed. Located near Ponca, Arkansas, and within the Buffalo National River National Park boundaries, this incredible 6-mile hike (out and back) has roughly 1,000 feet of total elevation gain along with one of the tallest bluffs in the area. The Hike Final thoughts CenterPoint Trail to Goat Trail to Big Bluff The trail to Big Bluff covers 5.9 miles roundtrip with an elevation gain of 1,076 feet. This campground is RV-friendly, clean, has fantastic bathrooms, and is open year-round. So the return trip was pretty tiring. The Big Bluff, otherwise known as the Goat Trail, sits 550' above the Buffalo National River and the trail is only about 4 feet wide. 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. Thanks for reading and being such a loyal fan. I love hoking & camping. Get a FREE Camping & Hiking Packing List! She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. After soaking in the views for a bit and snapping tons of photos, we headed back on the Goat Trail to the Centerpoint Trail. We skipped the falls so that we would have some daylight to set up camp. The area was incredibly remote and quiet. This is a very popular area for backpacking, camping, and fishing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. All writing and photos belong to For the Love of Wanderlust unless otherwise stated, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window), Click to share on StumbleUpon (Opens in new window), Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window), Click to share on Flipboard (Opens in new window), Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window), Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window), Things to Do in Eureka Springs - Arkansas's Hippie Town, Travel Backpack Review: Classic 28L Bag by CabinZero, The Elephant House - Edinburgh, Scotland - A Harry Potter Pilgrimage, 7 Types of Exploration You Should Try At Least Once. It was our first hike in the area and we started later in the day than we should have. Super pretty and worth it. what does greyson mean in the bible You can choose from RV sites, a tent area, or a platform tent, where you can pay extra to have a bed. Parking lot is at a crossroads and the trail is clearly marked. Its not a good idea to lean over the top of a mountain, for example. From Ponca, drive 3 miles north on Hwy 43 to the Centerpoint Trailhead, located at the Firetower Road junction. The majority of this trail strolls through the forest. What attractions are near Big Bluff & The Goat Trail? Great view. 3.5 miles north of Ponca, on hwy 43. Buffalo Outdoor Center As long as youre cautious, youll be totally fine! One should not jump off of cliffs. You can do it! Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Seriously, watch that water coming down out of the mountains. The most popular hiking destination from Centerpoint is Big Bluff, which features a panoramic vista of the Buffalo River and surrounding wilderness. 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. Never been to Arkansas but would love to visit this trail. (Recommended). If you use the links provided and make a purchase, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you. The campground is a tent-only facility. We use cookies to improve your browsing experience on our website. Nor is it the place for a beer fest or the intake of any other substance that can alter your balance and/or judgement, even if its a Dramamine. We left our little hikers at home for this one as its definitely more of a challenge and a bit treacherous at spots. Were Adam, Kathryn, and Kona, an adventurous married couple (+ pup!) This is a video and some pictures of Big Bluff/Goats trail/bluff in Arkansas. Hi Beverley thanks for reading and commenting. Service animals permitted. 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! Trail is wide enough where you wont ever be too terribly close to the ledge. 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. esprit criminel saison 15 reid; pfsense not seeing interface; how tall is tahani the good place; Hello world! The Centerpoint Trailhead is located approximately 3 miles north of Ponca, AR, directly across Hwy. Ashlee holds a BS degree in Biology and MS in Environmental Policy & Sustainability and is passionate about the outdoors. This is a popular hike and can be pretty busy on the weekends. Four months ago, Eric and I took a weekend trip to Eureka Springs, Arkansas for one last hurrah just before his knee surgery. There are two campgrounds relatively close to the Centerpoint Trailhead. Way in seemed harder than the way out Lots of rocks to clamber over.