Backpacking at Buffalo National River in Arkansas | Hiking the GOAT TRAIL & Camping Below Big Bluff

[@debbieblock7248]

The bluffs along the Buffalo River are absolutely amazing. We're privileged to live in the Ozarks.

[@thinkmakepush]

i hiked the goat trail about a year ago, one of my favorites! great job on the video!

[@WanderingBlock]

Thank you so much! The Goat Trail is one our favorites too!

[@WanderingBlock]

Just noticed I muted myself talking in a clip 😭😭😭 Oh well, better luck next time 😅

[@issiahandra6677]

Well put together video. Nice scenery. Thanks for sharing

[@WanderingBlock]

That's for watching, glad you enjoyed 😁

[@huntermcdoogle4271]

You are growing super fast! Great content.

[@WanderingBlock]

Appreciate it! Thanks for subscribing and keeping up with our videos 👍

[@drholt2]

Arkansas has world class hiking!! Great video but perhaps attenuate the music for my taste.

[@MrDgp56]

On of my favorite hikes.

[@WanderingBlock]

Same, I have hiked it several times and would gladly do it again.

[@losthillbilly8904]

Great video. Floated by there many times, but never hiked it.

[@WanderingBlock]

It's definitely worth doing if you can do hills, the views are amazing. Thanks for watching!

[@Gavin_mills]

If Arkansas ever gets another national park this should be it

[@adamseal1248]

Another great trip! Thanks for sharing!

[@WanderingBlock]

Thanks! Goat Trail is definitely a favorite of ours!

[@OzarkHillsAdventures]

love that hike. Great video. New subscriber right here..

[@WanderingBlock]

Thank you very much! Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@Hambone0216]

Where I proposed to my wife! Beautiful place!

[@WanderingBlock]

Great location for a proposal!! Thanks for watching!

[@ladyshamen]

We tried doing this hike a couple years ago but my husband tore his ACL halfway down. We had to slowly hike back out. Eventually want to try again because what we did see was gorgeous. 😍

[@WanderingBlock]

Yikes! I've had an injury on trail before but thankfully it didn't affect my mobility. Hope you do make it out there again, just be careful on those hills!

[@ladyshamen]

@@WanderingBlock Definitely! He's all healed up now, thankfully. We were out at Lost Valley a few weeks ago and are currently sticking to short, easier trails while our daughter is young. Things she can complete and maybe do a bit of bouldering on with us helping. When she's big enough, we'll hit it again ❤️

[@garyfrench1685]

I m Arkansas native. This is amazing state tons of history

[@WanderingBlock]

Love Arkansas and the Ozarks. Rich in natural beauty and history, two of my favorite things to explore!

[@garyfrench1685]

If you get a chance enjoy Arkansas by jeep. Dirt bike old. Dog and boat

[@WanderingBlock]

@@garyfrench1685 we have a Jeep Liberty now; first place we took it in Arkansas was Dixon Ford in the Upper Buffalo Wilderness all the way to Whitaker Point trailhead. We loving canoeing too, hoping to do lots of that this year!

[@maplebiltong]

Great video and awesome scenery!

[@WanderingBlock]

Thanks for the kind comment, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@AirSalazar]

Thanks for the video, very good information. I have a question there's a trail from Big Bluff straight down to the river or you went down through the centerpoint trail to Granny's Henderson cabin? I cannot find anything on the map thanks, and keep up with the good work.

[@WanderingBlock]

We took a trail that went straight down from Big Bluff to the River. It's not marked on any maps that I know of but it was clear at the time and even had a sign saying "no horses". I used to camp just off that trail at the end of big bluff a lot, I haven't been there in a couple years tho.

[@AirSalazar]

@@WanderingBlock Thanks I figured it out also I found a map that showed that unofficial trail is the old horse trail.

[@AndreiDimaReviews]

Nice video and great hike!

[@WanderingBlock]

Appreciate it, thanks for watching!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Great video! I'm planning on doing this in early spring! I just subbed your channel to keep up...I'm from East Texas and plan on exploring Northern Arkansas more this year. Great content!

[@WanderingBlock]

There's plenty of great options for trails here in the Ozarks, early spring is our favorite time! If you haven't already I would definitely check out Tim Ernst's Waterfalls of Arkansas guidebook. There's a good chance most of them will be flowing in spring.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

@@WanderingBlock I’ll have to check that out! Arkansas has some great waterfalls...and it’s really not to far from here

[@WanderingBlock]

@@TheNotLostNomad no problem, you you have any questions about the Ozark National Forest and Buffalo River let me know. You're right about the waterfalls, I've lived in the area my whole life and was blown away when I finally got that book to see how many awesome waterfall hikes were near me.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

@@WanderingBlock Arkansas is very underrated...same as Texas. There are so many areas to explore that most don’t even know about. I’m really enjoying your channel. Your sub count will keep growing...don’t give up....sometimes it’s a drag. You’ve got some great videos though...if you get a chance go check out the channel JerryArizona... I’ve learned so many tips for editing from him and his videos. I think you’ll enjoy it.

[@WanderingBlock]

I appreciate it very much! We are actually considering a trip down to Big Bend before it gets too hot this year, not sure if we can do it yet tho!

[@kpadventures2238]

What an awesome hike! How long is the whole hike including going down to the river? We are also planning to try this😊

[@marcrogers8200]

Great video, can't wait to do this myself! How long was the trip from the bluff down to the river/Steel Creek? Also, is there a clear trail marking from the bluff to the river or were y'all winging it?

[@WanderingBlock]

I'd say from the bluff to Steel Creek is maybe four or five miles, nothing crazy. (It could have seemed easier since we did it all in one day tho) There is a pretty clear trail, even a little sign saying no horses and no camping on the bluff, strange that they don't post that on the main entrance people take. If you do lose the trail just remember walking down hill leads you to the Buffalo River and Steel Creek is upstream. Be safe and have fun, thanks for watching!!

[@marcrogers8200]

@@WanderingBlock awesome man, thanks!

[@kevinharvey9500]

I've been wanting to go there and camp, but I prefer the secluded style camping. Does this place offer that? I would love to hike into forest and camp kinda away from people just to get the middle of no where feel...if you know what I mean?

[@WanderingBlock]

Oh yeah you can do that for sure here. The goat trail can get a little busy but if you hike down closer to the river there's some good spots to camp. We didn't have anyone near us on the gravel bar and there's good camping in the trees too. I would recommend getting the Trails Illustrated Buffalo River West Topo Map, those maps are great for planning routes in the area! This section of the river is a popular float in the spring and early summer when the water level allows it tho so if you go on a busy floating day solitude will be tougher to find close to the river.

[@kevinharvey9500]

@@WanderingBlock thanx for the reply. I live about an hour and a half away, and I've been wanting to go camping there. I'm kinda a bigfoot enthusiast, and I've heard this place has a history with it. I'm not saying it'd true, but I'd love to camp somewhere where there have been stories and sightings. Can you camp in the forest? As I said.... I'm looking for something that might give me the "being in the wilderness feel" without getting myself lost lol.

[@WanderingBlock]

@@kevinharvey9500 yeah at Buffalo National River you are allowed to camp anywhere in the Backcountry as long as you're at least a half mile from any developed areas (trailheads, campgrounds, etc). No permits or fees required. Heres some info and the rules on Backcountry camping at the Buffalo River The adjacent Ozark National Forest, which we have a lot of videos for as well, has very similar rules for Backcountry camping as well. www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/backcountry-camping.htm

[@kevinharvey9500]

@@WanderingBlock I really appreciate the info...this sounds perfect for someone new to camping off trail.

[@WanderingBlock]

@@kevinharvey9500 it's a great spot to get started backpacking. Great scenery, nice wilderness, but the river is there to orient you if you ever get lost. I pretty much hiked and camped exclusively for my first 2-3 years backpacking.

[@johntuttle4486]

You may want to switch to wearing light-colored pants, it makes it easier to spot ticks.

[@WanderingBlock]

Good idea. But we just moved to the desert where ticks aren't a problem instead 😂