The Buffalo National River is a pristine outdoor escape—and it’s also a great launch point for exploring other National Park Service sites across the Ozarks and surrounding states. From historic battlefields to wild rivers and scenic drives, here are 13 National Park destinations within about a half-day’s drive from Ponca, Arkansas. Here are 13 National Park Sites to Explore Near Buffalo National River (from Ponca, Arkansas)
1. Buffalo National River | Wikipedia
Distance from Ponca: 0 miles
Right at your doorstep! America’s first National River offers 135 miles of floatable water, dramatic bluffs, hidden waterfalls, and elk sightings.
2. Pea Ridge National Military Park | Wikipedia
Distance: 60 miles (~1 hour)
Site of a key Civil War victory for Union forces, with interpretive trails, preserved battlegrounds, and the historic Elkhorn Tavern.
3. Hot Springs National Park | Wikipedia
Distance: 180 miles (~3.5 hours)
Natural thermal springs meet Gilded Age elegance along Bathhouse Row in this one-of-a-kind urban National Park.
4. Ozark National Scenic Riverways | Wikipedia
Distance: 145 miles (~3 hours)
Canoe, kayak, or tube the spring-fed rivers of southern Missouri in this lesser-known water wonderland.
5. George Washington Carver National Monument | Wikipedia
Distance: 95 miles (~2 hours)
Celebrate the life and legacy of a pioneering African American scientist and humanitarian at his Missouri birthplace.
6. Fort Smith National Historic Site | Wikipedia
Distance: 90 miles (~2 hours)
Explore military history, Native American heritage, and frontier justice at the edge of Indian Territory.
7. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield | Wikipedia
Distance: 115 miles (~2.5 hours)
A major Civil War site near Springfield, Missouri, with a preserved battlefield and interpretive driving loop.
8. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site | Wikipedia
Distance: 165 miles (~3.25 hours)
Walk the path of civil rights history where nine brave students integrated a high school under federal protection.
9. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site | Wikipedia
Distance: 245 miles (~4.5 hours, near St. Louis, MO)
Visit the White Haven estate of Civil War general and U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, with exhibits on slavery and leadership.
10. Arkansas Post National Memorial | Wikipedia
Distance: 220 miles (~4 hours)
Site of the first European settlement in Arkansas, dating to 1686, and later a Civil War battleground.
11. Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park | Wikipedia
Distance: 250 miles (~4.5 hours)
Discover early French colonial life along the Mississippi in Missouri’s oldest European settlement.
12. Trail of Tears National Historic Trail | Wikipedia
Distance (via local segments): Multiple points within 25–100 miles
Commemorating the forced removal of Cherokee and other tribes. Buffalo River trails intersect parts of the northern route in Arkansas.
13. President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site | Wikipedia
Distance: 215 miles (~3.5 hours)
Located in Hope, AR, this historic site preserves the boyhood home of the 42nd President of the United States.
Make Ponca Your Basecamp
Whether you’re here for a river float, a history walk, or a civil rights lesson, you’re just a few scenic drives away from an incredible range of NPS sites. Start with the bluffs and waterfalls of Buffalo National River, then branch out to explore a mix of natural, historical, and cultural treasures all within reach.
Pro Tip: Plan ahead—some parks require reservations or offer seasonal hours. Bring your National Parks Passport to collect stamps along the way!
