Buffalo River Trail Expansion in Searcy County

More trail miles are now open for hikers around the Buffalo National River.

The release from the National Park Service posted by KTLO is below:

The National Park Service (NPS) has purchased a 64-acre tract of land located on the south side of the Buffalo River in Searcy County between Rocky Creek and the South Maumee River Access.

NPS says the formerly private inholding has been an important key to completing a segment of the Buffalo River Trail/Ozark Highland Trail. The property is said to offer great views of the river and 64-acres for visitors to explore, birdwatch, backcountry camp and hunt.

Visitors may now hike on the maintained trail all the way from Richland Creek to Dillards Ferry.

The National Park Service used land and water conservation funds to purchase the property from the Buffalo River Foundation. The Buffalo River Foundation is a non-profit land trust whose mission is “to conserve for public benefit the natural, recreational, scenic, historical and productive values of the Buffalo National River.”

Buffalo National River Superintendent Mark Foust says, “We are very excited about this new access for the public along the Buffalo River. What better way to celebrate the 50th anniversary of America’s first national river, than to open more areas for visitors to enjoy. I would like to thank the Buffalo River Foundation for their dedicated work to get this property included in the park. The volunteers from the Ozark Society and the Ozark Highland Trail Association have also been great partners in building and maintaining the Buffalo River Trail/Ozark Highland Trail in this area.”

The Buffalo River Trail currently runs through the park from the Boxley Valley to Pruitt and from Woolum to Dillards Ferry.

Visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/buff/planyourvisit/hiking-trails to find out more about trails in the park. The Buffalo River Trail currently runs through the park from the Boxley Valley to Pruitt and from Woolum to Dillards Ferry.