Buffalo River Calendar of Events -- Upper Buffalo National River

Buffalo National River was named one of the top ten undiscovered national parks everyone must visit by
AOL Travel.

"With peaks half a mile high and wilderness covering tens of thousands of acres, visitors come to cave, mountain bike or paddle between high limestone cliffs on the Buffalo National River."
USA Today Travel,
July 2010

"The 10-mile float from Ponca to Kyles Landing on the Buffalo River gets my vote as the most scenic in the Ozarks. The way is lined with streaked bluffs, some more than 500 feet high, and many drip with water that sparkles like diamonds . . ."
St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"so many trails...so little time."
Walter and Dee

"Wow! What a wonderful experience. My first time down the Buffalo---and I am hooked!"
Lacy and Steve

Late Summer in the Upper Buffalo River Area

Late Summer 2010 Overview: Floating in the upper river area is rare due to seasonal low water

conditions, but a couple of good rain storms and things can change quickly. Visit Lost Valley Canoe for

local floating conditions or call 870-861-5522.

September 15 marks the beginning of the 2010 Elk Rut, and it extends into the late fall. Bull elk are now

staging in the primary elk viewing area at the intersection of highways 43 and 21. Huge herd bull elk are

now scraping velvet, preparing for the fall rut. Elk viewing is confined to early morning from dawn to

7:00AM and late evenings in the summer heat. Up-to-date news on elk watching in the Upper Buffalo

River area. The Boxley Valley is on of the very best viewing locations for elk in the entire US. The annual

rut is the main event. It is time now to reserve cabins for the fall season to view our famouse elk.

Late summer is a decent time for hiking, largely determined by weather conditions. Cold fronts drive

daytime highs down into the 80s, with very cool mornings. We are in the tick and chigger season, so

check periodically for ticks. Avoiding hikes in deep grass reduces tick and chigger exposure. Summer is

a favorite season for horsemen. There are over a hundred miles of trails in the UBR area for hikers and

riders. See our hiking trail guide.

It is time to be booking cabins for the fall season. The Upper Buffalo River area is very busy through the

fall season. Check out our cabins guide and make your reservations now while there are still openings.

Natural Calendar of Events for the Upper Buffalo River Area

August -- Cow elk in Boxley Valley have calved. Calves are visible now with cow herds in the mornings

and evenings. Bull elk are now pulling in closer to the cow herds and scraping their antlers in preparation

for the rut.

August -- Whitetail deer fawn season. Fawns can be seen in meadows and along roads. Buck deer

have re-appeared in velvet in Boxley Valley fields. Drive with care.

August -- Summer floating season during periods of heay rain. For details and Buffalo National River

levels check here.

September-October -- Annual elk rut in Boxley Valley, peaking in late September and the first week in

October. Rutting behavior extends nearly to year end in some cases. For current information on the elk

herd and rut click here.

Local Calendar of Events for Upper Buffalo River Area

September 11, 2010 -- The Run for the Elk 5K, Ponca. http://buffaloriverrun.com First annual event to

benefit the Children's Hospital.

September 17-19th -- 4th Annual Ozark Mountain Artists Tour http://ozarkmountainartists.com 20+

artists open their studios for this annual tour. It attracts visitors from a large region.

October 24 & 25th -- Color Fest at the Ponca Elk Education Center. Website Colorfest is an art show

and educational event timed to coincide with the fall color season. Call the Elk Education Center for

more information at (870)861-2432.