Hiking & Waterfalls​

• Crooked Creek Trails (Fred Berry Conservation Center) – Flat, shaded 2.5 miles of walking trails with wildlife blinds and creek access

• Buffalo Point Overlook Trail – 1.3-mile scenic loop with views of the lower Buffalo River

• Indian Rockhouse Trail – 3.1-mile loop featuring caves, sinkholes, and historic mining ruins

• Hemmed-In Hollow Falls Trail – Steep 2.5-mile (one way) trail to Arkansas’s tallest waterfall (209 ft)

• Lost Valley Trail – 2.4-mile round-trip with Eden Falls and a natural cave

• Spring Hollow Trail (Tyler Bend) – Moderate loop with wildflowers, forest, and open ridge views

• Riverview Trail & Buck Ridge Trail (Tyler Bend) – Short, easy loops with scenic overlooks

• Davis Trail (Rush Historic District) – Hike through the ruins of a historic mining town

• Buffalo River Trail (Boxley to Pruitt segment) – 37-mile rugged backcountry trail with multiple access points

​​

Backcountry & Camping​

Sylamore Ranger District (Ozark–St. Francis National Forest)

• Developed and semi-primitive campsites at Blanchard Springs, Gunner Pool, and Barkshed

• Popular base for hiking, horseback riding, and exploring swimming holes

• The North Sylamore Creek Trail offers miles of backcountry hiking and dispersed camping along scenic creeks and forest

• Great for families and experienced backpackers alike, with easy access to water and trailheads

• Close to Blanchard Springs Caverns and other natural attractions

​​

Leatherwood Wilderness

• One of the wildest, most remote areas in the Ozarks — over 16,800 acres of steep ridges and deep, isolated hollows

• No roads, no bicycles, and nothing with wheels allowed — access is by foot, mule, or horseback only

• No developed trails or campsites — hikers must use map and compass for navigation

• Known for abundant wildlife, including black bear, deer, turkey, and secluded creek-fed ecosystems

• Best suited for experienced backcountry campers seeking challenge, solitude, and total immersion in wilderness

​​

Other Backpacking Highlights

• North Sylamore Creek Trail – Shaded creekside route with primitive campsites and occasional swimming holes

• Gunner Pool to Barkshed – Shorter backcountry section ideal for an overnight loop

• Almus Knob & other ridge trails – Rugged, little-used spurs in the Leatherwood area with waterfalls and rock outcrops

​​

And That’s Just the Beginning...

The hikes, rivers, and backcountry trails listed here barely scratch the surface of what the Ozarks have to offer.

This region is a living wilderness — rich with hidden waterfalls, unmarked trails, secret swimming holes, and scenic overlooks that don’t show up on any brochure. From sunrise paddles on misty rivers to late-night stargazing far from any road, there’s always more to discover.

Whether you're chasing solitude in the deep woods, wading through a cool mountain stream, or watching wildlife from the edge of your campsite, the Ozarks deliver raw, unfiltered beauty at every turn.

Our park sits at the heart of it all — close enough to reach the iconic spots, and remote enough to feel like you’ve found something untouched.

Bring your boots. Bring your sense of adventure.
And get ready to explore.