Elk Watching | Buffalo River National Park Region

Our Friend Bill Bowden reports on one of Arkansas’ favorite Fall activities

ARKANSAS SIGHTSEEING: In fall, shy elk draw crowds along two state highways
Grazing herds prime-time viewing
By Bill Bowden, Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Bill Bowden
Blake Bowers of Conway helps his son Jordan, 4, adjust his binoculars Saturday while Bella Bowers, 5, already has the Boxley Valley elk in sight from the back seat.

PONCA — Autumn in Arkansas means football, fall foliage and the rutting of the elk.

Every fall, elk watchers travel to Boxley Valley, along Arkansas highways 43 and 21 in Newton County, where herds of elk shed their fear of humans and graze in the open pastures along the road at dawn and dusk.
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Buffalo River Elk

Learn more about Elk, Eagles, Bird Migration and the Wildlife viewable over the upcoming winter months on the Ozarks Plateau

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Bear Sighted in Eureka Springs.

The Tall Pines Inn on Highway 62, as confirmed by Loblolly Pines Adventure Camp and The Inn of The Ozarks have registered a sighting over the past three weekend of a Black Bear in West Eureka Springs.

If hiking in the area – please be aware

Buffalo National River Activities are limited to Slow the Spread of COVID-19:

The Buffalo National River is reopening for some day uses next week after the national park was closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

The National Park Service announced Tuesday the park will begin to reopen May 15 for recreational day use of the trails and the Buffalo River.

The park has been closed since early April because of the virus. The park service says day access will resume for private and commercial floating on the river, all trails within the park except for the Lost Valley Trail, and limited restroom facilities.

The park’s campgrounds remain closed.

The standout character of my time on the Buffalo National River in the beautiful Ozark region of Arkansas was the smallmouth bass. Even the smallest bass I caught that week were feisty as hell and brilliantly colored. There are many route options for paddlers looking for a multi-day float, with a total of 132 river miles beginning in the town of Ponca. Head there for the fishing, but make sure to enjoy the tall bluffs on this scenic river.

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Tyler Bend to Gilbert 4-6 Hour Year-Round Float