Buffalo Point is a convenient, fun-filled destination for families and adventurists of all types. It's perched along the Buffalo National River, providing exciting river sports and hiking opportunities. In peak season, a restaurant is open at the facility, serving up meals for those who want a break from preparing them.
Recreation
The wild river is a gathering place for a plethora of water activities. Many campers spend their days fishing, hiking, canoeing, or kayaking. Evenings are ideal for gathering next to the fire to revamp for another great day out on the river.
Facilities
Buffalo Point offers campsites with water, electricity and a pay phone. It's the only area in the park with a restaurant, open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day and on weekends only from mid-April to Memorial Day Weekend and Labor Day Weekend to mid-October.
Natural Features
The campground is set along Buffalo National River, one of the few free-flowing rivers remaining in the contiguous United States. The river runs 135 miles without dams and cuts through the Arkansas Ozarks and into the White River. The region is surrounded by droves of lush hardwood trees and grassy open meadows.
Nearby Attractions
Two popular attractions within the Buffalo Point Area are the Indian Rockhouse Trail and the Rush Historic District. Rush was a zinc mining community until the zinc market collapsed and the settlement was deserted. Tours about the town's history are available. Buffalo Point is the former Buffalo River State Park developed in the 1930's as project of the Civilian Conservation Corps.
Blanchard Springs Cavern, an extraordinary living cave, is a one-hour drive from Buffalo Point.
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Buffalo Point State Park
Spent some excellent quality family time at Buffalo Point State Park. I think I lucked into my site, because I’ve tried to make reservations since then and it’s always full. Our site was not great, it was long and “thin”, between two roads. From the gravel pad there was a 10 foot area and then the picnic table and grill area. Very strange set up! Right across the road was the River/beach access though! LOVE the river, so clear! Awesome “beach” area with plenty of room to walk, play and set up your chair. The Showerhouse was in good shape and maintained. The tent area had some nice site above the river and was packed as well. We hiked, canoed and relaxed!
Stayed here for 4 nights in late October. The park is great and very clean. Some of the sites can get a little crowded on the weekend. During the week was super quiet and more my speed. Deer were everywhere and the Indian Rockhouse hike was really great. I will def be back in warmer weather to float the river which it was low for the winter. Falls colors everywhere and great weather. There is a gas station not too far from the park for fire wood on your way in. The rangers were present quite a bit making sure the park was safe. Very nice spot. There is no service in the camp site at all.
Buffalo Point is a very nice, CCC built campground with some old school type campsites. A number of sites are multi-level, meaning the picnic table may be on an elevated platform with steps for access. Some sites you may not be long enough for your entire rig and you would park your tow vehicle next to your camper. Shade was plentiful. There are five different loops. The A&B loops are the closest to the large Buffalo Point sandbar and boat ramp and the sites are very close to one another. The D loop is slightly more spaced out. The E loop is nice but the pads are short. There is an access to the river between the C&D Loops.
We did not use the restrooms because of COVID19. The ranger stations were closed and there were no programs at this time either.
The Buffalo River is beautiful and with very few people on the river during the week when we visited. The river was very slow and smooth during our visit and perfect for those just learning to kayak.
There are a number of hiking trails in the area. Be sure and check whether or not your dog is allowed on the NPS trails before heading out on your hike.
Our site had a narrow pad and the electric post was located in a position that we could not use the entire length of the pad in order to extend our slide. The seating area of the campsite has great view of the neighboring campsite. But we had some foliar obstruction that provided some privacy from our neighbors on the other side. It appeared that most sites you are going to have a view of your neighbors’ campsites. We did not have enough space to put our patio mat out between our trailer and the picnic table. We spent little time at our campsite so this did not bother us.
The NPS is starting to use motion detector lights at their parks to help with light pollution. Be sure and take advantage of the opportunity to view the stars from a gravel bar by the Buffalo River. Magical!
We arrived this year during the COVID pandemic. Although, we were a little disappointed with the showers being closed, we understood. Sites are too close and hardly shaded. River access was not bad. Trails are real lame there. For a 7 hour trip, i would prefer to have went some other river and campground, it's a little underwhelming.
It was a good campground to get away for a night or two! Had my 2 little boy cousins and my dog with us and we all had a good time walking down to the river to play. Great place to chill out and cool off!
On a two day float with kids, made a reservation for tent camping at Buffalo Point for the overnight. I hadn't been there before, but it looked beautiful and on a nice beach at the river. Plus with two pre-teen girls, I thought a chance for a bathroom and maybe some ice cream at the store would be a nice break.
The beach is nice, and right before you get to it there's some cool rock formations to paddle your kayak in and around, BUT the campsites are a good hike uphill from the river. Even if you're comfortable leaving your canoes out of your sight on the beach (I'm not), you've still got to haul all your gear up a pretty good hill and depending on your site, multiple hikes to move your gear unless you're going backpacking light.
We still hiked up to the overlook which was a nice way to stretch our legs, but ultimately decided to stay at a gravel bar further downriver. The sites in the campground were shady, the roads were all in good shape, and the river is always beautiful, so if I'm not floating I'll definitely go back.
We stayed in the c loop and it was nice and shady, but the sites are a little close together, good for a group of campers. The facilities were clean, but a little outdated. The river was great and had plenty of places to swim. Wear good water shoes its a good walk down to get to the river and for any tech people out there, the only cell/tv reception you get is at the top of the hill before going down to the campground, but anyone wanting to get away from it all it's great. There is a great restaurant at the top of the hill I'd recommend trying, reasonable prices, good food and a great overlook view of the river
We tent camped at the Buffalo Point Campground in loop B for a few days. These sites are the closest to the river and the swimming area. The sites are pretty close together, but there were a few that had more room (next time). You can not access the river from these sites. There is a view of the river through some brush.
We rented from Wild Bills and floated to Rush. It was gorgeous! We saw tons of wildlife and were the only ones on the river on a Thursday morning.
The sites being close together and the lack of a super flat area for our tent is the reason for the 4 star. Plus the bathrooms were a little dirty, but they had great pressure and hot water.
Don’t miss out on the Indian Rockhouse trail and the concession restaurant. Get the broasted chicken breast and jojo potatoes. Trust me. Plus a piece of peanut butter pie!