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TravelWorld International Magazine Fall 2022

The magazine written and photographed by North American Travel Journalists Association members.

The magazine written and photographed by North American Travel Journalists Association members.

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Wild and Scenic Portion<br />

rkansas is also the proud home of eight<br />

wild and scenic rivers, including<br />

a portion of the Buffalo River. Its<br />

upper 16 miles are part of the<br />

National Wild and Scenic Rivers<br />

System that’s managed by the<br />

U.S. Forest Service (USFS).<br />

This segment begins at the river’s headwaters<br />

in the Boston Mountains and flows through<br />

the Upper Buffalo Wilderness to the<br />

boundary of the Ozark National Forest.<br />

From the forest boundary, the remaining<br />

135 miles of the river, to its confluence<br />

with the White River, are managed by the<br />

National Park Service. The USFS upper<br />

portion is the river at its wildest and most<br />

primitive. The scenery is spectacular, with<br />

sharp and steep ridges and bluffs, large rock<br />

outcroppings, waterfalls, canyons, and caves.<br />

Hiking, backpacking, and camping are<br />

the most popular uses. The route to iconic<br />

Whitaker Point, also known as Hawksbill<br />

Crag, is the only designated hiking trail, but<br />

a system of old logging roads provides an<br />

informal network of trails for hiking and<br />

horseback riding.<br />

No matter what season or what angle,<br />

Whitaker Point is always photogenic.<br />

The still, clear waters of the Buffalo National<br />

River reflect the surrounding bluffs.<br />

This uppermost section of the river<br />

is definitely not for beginners. Even<br />

experienced whitewater boaters will find it<br />

a challenge. After spring rains, the swollen<br />

upper river is rated Class III-IV in difficulty,<br />

and it has an average drop of 38 feet per<br />

mile.<br />

“A person needs a lot of whitewater<br />

experience,” said Mills, who has probably<br />

floated and hiked the upper section of the<br />

river as many times as anyone. “You have<br />

to be able to run blindly or follow someone<br />

who knows how. You have to be able to<br />

navigate and do a strong roll. If you’re a<br />

whitewater boater, it is great fun. If not, it<br />

can turn into a nightmare.” Because of the<br />

difficulty of this upper segment of the river,<br />

most visitors will opt to float the lower parts<br />

of the Buffalo. Be sure to consult an outfitter<br />

or a park ranger about weather conditions<br />

and the suggested section of the river to suit<br />

your abilities.<br />

The fall colors reflect a mirror image<br />

along the lower portion of the Buffalo<br />

National River in Arkansas.<br />

9

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