The first National River to be designated in the United States – the Buffalo National River – is celebrating its 50th birthday throughout 2022.
Located in Northern Arkansas and established in 1972, the Buffalo National River flows freely for 135 miles and is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states. In 2021, tourists to the area topped 2 million – both a record and an example of how the pandemic has brought nature back into the lives of so many.
Once on the river, you journey from running rapids to quiet pools while surrounded by massive bluffs as you float through the Ozark Mountains down to the White River. It’s a natural experience like no other. The river’s natural scenic beauty inspired early conservationists to support the protection of the Buffalo River and continues to inspire visitors today.
