This Trail is TOUGH! EYE of the NEEDLE | Indian Creek | Buffalo National River | Jasper AR

Hiking to the Eye of the Needle is rated as the most strenuous and dangerous hike in Arkansas but the views are worth it! This trail goes along the Indian Creek for 3 challenging miles to the hard to find rock formation "Eye of the Needle." I would advise not doing this trail alone due to the numerous opportunities for injury in a very isolated part of the Buffalo National River. This is a fun hike but it will test you...every obstacle will lead you to the next level of challenge and then you have to go back through every one of them. It's a fun trail if you want to challenge yourself and have an adventurous day. Be extremely careful if you attempt this one...you'll be glad you did it!
Also be aware of the many trails that join this one...you'll hike along part of the Buffalo River Trail.
Proverbs 3:6

[@dannylgriffin]

Incredible video. Beautiful!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you!

[@ouradventures3794]

Probably top of the list of my favorite places! Even if you can't make it to the eye of the needle, just the hike up to the waterfalls at the lower section is amazing. Seeing both falls in heavy flow is enchanting. And I will stress be extremely careful! Great video. Thanks!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Hey thank you! This place is truly amazing…it’s very surprising to see…looks almost tropical in places. I’d love to see this with full water flow. I’d love to do another trip with more water but I’m concerned about safety…this trail was hard!

[@filoIII]

Describe the difficulty of the hike before getting to the ropes? My wife can't/ain't doin' THAT part.

[@ouradventures3794]

@filoIII some uphill but nothing sketchy. Fall and spring is best. Nothing is flowing right now

[@greghowerton1430]

What an amazing place! I had never heard of it. Gonna have to check it out. Thanks for the video!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

You bet! This is now my favorite Arkansas hike! Super fun!

[@tangenttrails]

This looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.👍

[@TheNotLostNomad]

You bet! Thanks for watching!

[@BeerinBeautifulPlaces]

Thanks for this! I'm trying to go soon, and now I feel more prepared

[@TheNotLostNomad]

You bet! It’s a challenging trail but so much fun! Be safe out there!

[@ksturkeyman]

Super cool hike in the winter. If you climb through the eye you can follow up to hwy 74. Ankle twister and always many snakes I love the Buffalo! Thanks for sharing this video!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Oh I bet it is! I’d like to go back and do this hike in another season. It’s a challenging one! It’d would be cool to go on from the top by rappelling down.

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

Amazing hike! That area is so amazing!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thanks! It was so unexpected!

[@MyLifeOutdoors]

@@TheNotLostNomad I meant to say…I thought you had a tub of turkey at first when you pulled out that sandwich. I was thinking “that’s an interesting choice”

[@TheNotLostNomad]

@@MyLifeOutdoors 😂 man I don’t know if I could stomach that! My lunch packing resources were limited since we didn’t bring any ziploc bags to our condo in Branson. I guess I could have at least pulled the label off

[@captainbamoofish5016]

beautiful place, but don't do it alone, bud. never a good thing to be in the forest by yourself. I was lost in the ozark national forest by myself once and it was a hard lesson.

[@shannonmccully1703]

Goodness, happy you made it out. That’s my fear being mostly solo.

[@captainbamoofish5016]

@@shannonmccully1703 I had to call 911 when I got to a higher elevation with a weak signal to get help getting me out of trouble. always take someone with you to explore the forests and mountains. don't rely on the phones. they don't work in the forest. I slept 1 whole day and ate a whole cow after I got home :D

[@shannonmccully1703]

@@captainbamoofish5016 ohh my goodness. Usually if I am unsure about an area I try and find a group or someone to tag along with.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Wow, what a scary experience! If I go alone I always prep as much as possible. Although this trail is dangerous it’s tough to get lost...at least on the Indian creek section. But I agree, if at all possible don’t go alone. I always leave the details with my wife if something were to happen.

[@texashikeaholicsadventures5651]

Very nice!!!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thanks! Much different scenery than East Texas!

[@stormyday5732]

im going to eureka springs later this month. planning on surprising my girlfriend with a hike out here and gonna propose to her! looks like a gorgeous place to do so

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Now that would be an awesome place to do it! Let me know how it goes! It’s a really tough hike but it’s a lot of fun.

[@JeanettePowers]

excellent video my dude! I hiked it at flood stage one time, did NOT make it to the eye :D

[@TheNotLostNomad]

No way! I bet that trail was nuts…I’d love to give that a shot. This trail is no joke! Thank you, I’m glad you enjoyed it!

[@CameronHall88]

Really cool looking hike. Looks like you worked up a good sweat! Haha.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Oh my gosh this was the most humid day I’ve ever experienced...90% humidity with no breeze deep on the canyon. Sweat did not evaporate...I had to wring out my clothes...and I didn’t bring a change of clothes. Hence the outtake at the end! Haha

[@michaelpetersonbackpacking6077]

Add a few snakes and you’ve got a real adventure!!! That looked awesome !!! Sometimes small sections like this can be found in state parks…… but usually PACKED w people! I think I’d drive to Arkansas just to walk that trail. Thanks for sharing this one.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

This trail is definitely one I’d like to revisit when more of the streams are flowing. The entire hike would be different too...I’d opt for taking the stream with my Keen water shoes for most of the way up. Luckily I saw no snakes on this trail but I kept my eyes peeled!

[@michaelpetersonbackpacking6077]

@@TheNotLostNomad so check out how this guy hikes the trail kzbin.info/www/bejne/pIO3o6GcZb6HiJI

[@clarkansas6590]

Good job

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you! This one was a challenge!

[@LouisianaAstroRambler]

Im up here in Harrison now, id love to try this, but i dont think im experienced enough yet honestly.. Plus i dont have the right shoes either 😂.. Hell i almost slipped and busted my butt the other day trying to get down a small sandy slope to a gorgeous little spot on the Buffalo River in Pruitt, AR lol..

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Oh man…yeah I’d be careful tackling this trail then. This trail makes me nervous…even when you are used to this type of terrain there are so many places where a simple slip could be very bad. If you do try it, make sure you have someone with you.

[@genpepper3]

Awesome man! Hey I'm the first comment!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

👆🏻 winner right here!

[@davidharding1732]

My brother-in-law and I did this a few years ago. Only the first rope was in place. Fortunately, another hiker with the agility of a mountain goat and half our age came and she helped us through. We had brought a way too inadequate 10 foot piece of rope but would never have made it without that piece of rope and our "mountain goat". The climb from the top of that fixed rope up through the tunnel was terrifying. Lots of exposure, crumbly surface. If I did it again, I'd probably fall at some point. When we got to the base of the Needle's Eye we went left over a shoulder and back down to the creek and then continued to the top of the canyon. That hike over the shoulder to the left of the Needle's Eye was as sketchy as the hike from the top of the fixed rope to the tunnel. The hike to Needle's Eye was beautiful, exhilarating, awesome, and I'll never do it again as long as I live!

[@GeezerAdventures]

Great video! We have considered a Buffalo river trail hike. But struggle to figure out a good section of 20-40 miles. You mention other trails coming into it - any ideas for putting it together with a longer hike.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you! I’ve also considered doing the BRT...every time I do I get lost into deciding which section to do...I always lose interest and start looking elsewhere but I need to check into it. As far as trails...the BRT joins up with part of this trail so you could go either East or West from there. Also the trail to Steel Creek is accessed from this trail as well... not sure if that’s also BRT or if it’s even opened. There is one of these trails/creeks that is temporarily closed from damage that came from a flood. I definitely need to put some time into knowing this area better.

[@GeezerAdventures]

Same thing. Lose interest and go somewhere else but this has me reconsidering. Thanks!

[@TheNotLostNomad]

@@GeezerAdventures man it’s a great one! It seems to me that the BRT has the potential to be a great trail but from what I’ve seen the maintenance is very sporadic...good in some areas and rough in others. I’m sure I’ll give it a try someday

[@saltyw1]

Is it well marked, didn't look like it? I've camped at kyles landing but never investigated this trail.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

It is decently marked all the way to the creek...about the time you think you are off track you’ll see a sign. Once you get to the creek it’s easy...just follow the creek. So many obstacles though...it’s fun!

[@jb1..]

What time of year or what mont would be the best to hike this trail?.. would be great to have some water coming down that tall fall near the end

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Definitely so, my guess would be early spring just after some good rain. I really want to do this trail again with more water...it’s a lot of fun!

[@jb1..]

@@TheNotLostNomad ok thanks plan to go next month

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Awesome, let me know how it is!

[@shannonmccully1703]

I am wanting to go check this place out. I’m usually a solo hiker since I can’t get many people to go with me when I’m wanting to go. Do you happen to know of any groups in your area that go that wouldn’t mind me joining along? Great video.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Thank you! I’m not sure of any groups that head out here but maybe attempt this an a busy day like a Saturday... this is a pretty tough trail and with so many places to slip...you want to make sure that you will see other people if needed. I didn’t see anyone the entire time I was there and I honestly got nervous...and I’m not usually that way. I hope you can find someone to head out there with you...the trail itself is stunning!

[@kylegalcorn]

Another option is to use multiple safety options for solo hiking. I’m normally on my own for hikes in Colorado and use a combo of leaving my trailhead, destination, and latest return time with a reliable family member/friend. On top of that I bring a GPS unit/satellite communicator in case I’m immobilized or seriously injured and needing SAR. Then I always make sure I have supplies for self aid in the event of foreseeable accidents. TheNotLostNomad’s suggestion of going on a busy day is money also.

[@shannonmccully1703]

@@kylegalcorn what GPS unit you use?

[@kylegalcorn]

@@shannonmccully1703 I use a Garmin inreach mini. It’s kind of pricey but it does everything I want it to. I’ve also had good luck with other Garmin devices and customer support. There are a LOT more of these GPS/satellite communicator devices being marketed nowadays though so there might be models/brands that meet your needs better.

[@shannonmccully1703]

@@kylegalcorn thank you so much for the information. I’ll check them out. Happy hiking!!!

[@ryanhoxie]

Is the background music from Mass Effect?

[@TheNotLostNomad]

This all came from Epidemic Sound.

[@ronnyclay1639]

First time I did this trail in 1992 with my friend King Gladden, there were No Ropes. Had to crawl up the slope.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Oh man…I can’t imagine. That climb must have been rough!

[@shallowsholes9365]

what month is this

[@TheNotLostNomad]

This was in mid July…hot and humid!

[@rebeccaanderson5037]

i would stay in the creek alittle more safer for me

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Yeah that would be a safer option in some spots…this path is a tricky one. I’m some sections the creek isn’t an option and you have to climb up and over some sketchy spots.

[@cherylv7680]

A man fell and died on this trail this last weekend :-(

[@TheNotLostNomad]

Oh man...I just saw the news story... my condolences go out to the family. I hate to hear this...so sad.

[@JSFKCK]

Careful. Man lost his life near here recently.

[@TheNotLostNomad]

I just heard...sad to hear the news. My condolences go out to the family....so sad.