WWingAwayWEEKENDSFly to lunchDestination guide 187
Arkansas · Couples · Two nights

Buffalo National River

Bluffs, float trips and elk in the Ozarks.

The Buffalo was the first river in the country to be protected as a national river, and its upper stretch near Ponca runs beneath some of the highest bluffs in the Ozarks. Land at Harrison, about 40 minutes away, stay in a cabin by the river, float past the bluffs, hike to Hawksbill Crag and Lost Valley, watch elk at dusk in the Boxley Valley, and eat at the Ozark Cafe on the Jasper square.

National riverHiking & floatingElk
See the weekend itineraryFlight & arrival details
Layered limestone bluff above the turquoise Buffalo River at Buffalo Point
The bluff at Buffalo Point, Buffalo National River.
YOUR ROUTEKMYR to KHRO
STRAIGHT-LINE DISTANCE~716 NM
ILLUSTRATIVE FLIGHT TIME~5 hr 01 min
WEEKEND STYLETwo nights · Rental car

Time illustration: direct distance at 150 KTAS plus 15 minutes for departure and arrival, matching the discovery page. Use ForeFlight for your actual flight plan.

01 / Aviation & getting around

Land at Harrison.

KHRO, Boone County, is a non-towered field with a 6,161-foot runway in Harrison, about 40 minutes from Ponca and Jasper.

The FBO

Fly Arkansas

Boone County Airport, Harrison, AR

870-741-4510

Ridges and valley fog nearby; check terrain on your route. Arrange a rental car before you go. No live fuel price is shown.

Ozark weather: valley fog on summer and fall mornings, fast-building summer thunderstorms, spring severe weather, and ridges up to about 2,500 feet. About 720 nm from Myrtle Beach: plan a fuel stop and three nights.

02 / Where to stay

Cabins by the river.

Rates and availability need travel dates. Spring float season and fall color weekends book early.

03 / Where to eat

Country cooking.

Reserve weekend dinners.

04 / Things to do

Float, hike and look for elk.

Spring is best for floating the upper river.

02

Lost Valley Trail

An easy hike to a natural bridge and Eden Falls.

NPS
03

Hawksbill Crag

The most photographed rock ledge in Arkansas.

NPS
04

Boxley Valley elk

Wild elk in the fields at dawn and dusk.

NPS
05 / What’s happening

Sometimes the season is the reason to fly.

This prototype links to the local visitor site. It does not yet match events to your travel dates.

Concerts, festivals & local happenings

Check the local calendar when choosing a weekend, and confirm dates and tickets with the organizer.

Browse Buffalo River events
06 / Suggested itinerary

Friday in. Sunday home.

A sample river weekend. Plan three nights for the flight. No bookings or availability confirmed.

DAY 1

Arrive

  1. Arrival

    Land at KHRO, subject to weather and your actual flight plan.

  2. Afternoon

    Lost Valley Trail.

  3. Evening

    Dinner at the Cliff House.

DAY 2

Explore

  1. Morning

    Float from Ponca to Kyles Landing.

  2. Afternoon

    Elk in the Boxley Valley at dusk.

  3. Evening

    Dinner in Jasper.

DAY 3

Morning & home

  1. Morning

    Hawksbill Crag at sunrise.

  2. Before leaving

    Return the car and allow time at the airport.

  3. Fly home

    Afternoon thunderstorms build in summer; leave early.

07 / Good to know

Keep the weekend easy to change.

These details make the difference between an appealing list and a usable getaway.

Book in this order

Cabin and car first, then a float shuttle.

Flight

About 720 nm. Plan a fuel stop and three nights.

River

Check river levels; the upper Buffalo can be too low by summer.

Best seasons

March to June and October.

Reviewed · Destination 187

Reviewed November 5, 2026.

Picks and links reviewed by WingAway Weekends. Hours, prices, menus and availability change often, so confirm directly with each place before booking.

WingAway Weekends helps you discover the destination. Use ForeFlight and current official aviation information for route, performance, weather, NOTAMs and preflight decisions. Flight planning and PIC responsibility stay with the pilot.