browser icon
You are using an insecure version of your web browser. Please update your browser!
Using an outdated browser makes your computer unsafe. For a safer, faster, more enjoyable user experience, please update your browser today or try a newer browser.

Directions to Ponca

Title: How to Get to Ponca, Arkansas and the Buffalo National River from 5 Nearby Cities

Planning a visit to the Buffalo National River? Nestled deep in the Ozarks, Ponca, Arkansas is your perfect launching point for floating, fishing, and hiking adventures. Here’s how to get there from five major nearby cities.


From Tulsa, Oklahoma to Ponca, AR

  • Distance: ~93 miles
  • Drive Time: ~1.5 hours
  • Directions: Head east on US-412. Stay on US-412 through Siloam Springs into Arkansas. Continue until you reach AR-103 S toward Ponca.

From Bentonville, Arkansas to Ponca, AR

  • Distance: ~76 miles
  • Drive Time: ~1 hour 40 minutes
  • Directions: Take AR-72 E to US-62 E. Follow US-412 E and then head south on AR-21 to Boxley Valley, turning west toward Ponca.

From Eureka Springs, Arkansas to Ponca, AR

  • Distance: ~52 miles
  • Drive Time: ~1 hour 25 minutes
  • Directions: Take AR-23 S to AR-21 S. Follow scenic AR-21 S until you reach the Boxley Valley and turn west toward Ponca.

From Springfield, Missouri to Ponca, AR

  • Distance: ~102 miles
  • Drive Time: ~2 hours
  • Directions: Take US-65 S through Branson. Connect to AR-43 S, then head east on AR-74 into Ponca.

From Little Rock, Arkansas to Ponca, AR

  • Distance: ~152 miles
  • Drive Time: ~3 hours
  • Directions: Take I-40 W to Russellville. Go north on AR-7, then take AR-16 W to AR-21 N, leading into Boxley Valley. Head west to reach Ponca.

Why Visit Ponca?

Ponca is the heart of outdoor adventure in northwest Arkansas. Known for its access to the Buffalo River, it’s a favorite destination for float trips, smallmouth bass fishing, and iconic hiking trails like Lost Valley. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or a scenic drive