◆ National River
Buffalo River
America’s first national river, reached by air.
The gateway to the Buffalo National River, by way of the town of Ponca.
The Buffalo was the first river in the United States to be given national river status, and the stretch around Ponca is the reason people argue it deserved it. Limestone bluffs rise straight out of green water; the whole valley is protected, undammed and startlingly quiet.
Put a canoe or kayak in at Ponca and the river does most of the work. Boxley Valley, a few minutes upstream, holds Arkansas’s elk herd — best seen at either end of the day, when they come out into the fields and the light goes long.
On foot, the walk to Hawksbill Crag is the one everybody has seen a photograph of: a finger of rock cantilevered out over the valley, and a drop underneath it that does not need exaggerating.
How the day flies
Four steps, one unforgettable day.
Depart Thaden Field
Lift off from Bentonville and follow the ridgelines east toward Newton County.
Down into the valley
Set down near Ponca, at the head of the most photographed stretch of the river.
River or ridge
Paddle the Buffalo, walk out to Hawksbill Crag, or sit in Boxley Valley and wait for the elk.
Fly home
Back over the bluffs to Bentonville, or stay for the evening light.
Ozarks & Beyond · Private Charters
Ready when you are.
Tell us your dates and party size and we’ll line up the helicopter, the guides and the gear — all you need to do is show up.
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