All parks › Buffalo National River
Buffalo National River: fees, hours, camping and when to visit
Buffalo National River is a National River unit of the park system in Arkansas[5]. NPS lists it as a fee-free park with no entrance fee, and it is open 24 hours[1][6].
Entrance fees and passes
The National Park Service lists no entrance fee for Buffalo National River[1]. Some tours, campgrounds or permits inside a park can still have their own fees.
When to visit and hours
NPS lists the park as open 24 hours and describes it as 135 miles long[6]. In 2025 the busiest month was July with 283,212 recreation visits[2]. The quietest month was January with 23,284 visits[2]. NPS notes that Ozark summers can bring heat and high humidity[7]. Other seasons can turn out cool and rainy, or warm and dry[7]. NPS asks you to watch river levels and the rain forecast, because the river can rise dramatically in a short time[7].
Show visits by month
| Month, 2025 | Recreation visits |
|---|---|
| January | 23,284 |
| February | 33,304 |
| March | 108,096 |
| April | 109,193 |
| May | 153,720 |
| June | 248,447 |
| July | 283,212 |
| August | 140,891 |
| September | 91,951 |
| October | 92,139 |
| November | 65,166 |
| December | 43,843 |
Camping
NPS and Recreation.gov list 14 campgrounds at Buffalo National River[4]. Buffalo Point has 112 sites, Tyler Bend Campground has 44 sites, and Steel Creek Campground has 40 sites[4]. NPS lists nightly individual-site fees from $16 to $30[4]. Site counts can differ slightly between NPS and Recreation.gov records[4].
- Buffalo Point, 112 sites[4]
- Tyler Bend Campground, 44 sites
- Steel Creek Campground, 40 sites
- Kyles Landing Campground, 34 sites
- Erbie Campground, 33 sites
- Ozark Campground, 32 sites
- Ozark Campground, 32 sites
- Rush Campground, 12 sites
- Rush Campground, 12 sites
- Spring Creek Campground, 12 sites
- Carver Campground, 8 sites
- Carver Campground, 8 sites
- Woolum
- South Maumee
Pets and dogs
Under the national NPS pet rule, pets must be crated, caged or on a leash of six feet or less where pets are allowed[8]. Pets are not allowed in public buildings or on designated swimming beaches, with service animals excepted[8]. NPS marks pets as permitted on 24 of the 37 things to do it lists here, including some paddling trips and the Buffalo Point Campground Trails[9]. A park can close more areas to pets, so check the official page[8].
Before you go
- NPS lists no entrance fee here[1].
- Confirm hours and fees on the official park page before you go, since they can change[6].
- Check river levels and the weather before any trip on the water[7].
- NPS lists 3 visitor centers or stations: Tyler Bend Visitor Center, Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station, and Steel Creek Ranger Station[10].
- Look at Recreation.gov and NPS for campground details and booking[4].
Questions people ask
- Is there an entrance fee at Buffalo National River?
- NPS lists Buffalo National River as a fee-free park with no entrance fee[1]. Confirm on the official park page before your trip.
- What is the busiest month at Buffalo National River?
- In 2025 the busiest month was July with 283,212 recreation visits[2]. The quietest month was January with 23,284 visits[2].
- Are dogs allowed at Buffalo National River?
- NPS marks pets as permitted on 24 of the 37 things to do it lists[9]. Where pets are allowed they must be on a leash of six feet or less or crated[8].
- How many campgrounds are there at Buffalo National River?
- NPS and Recreation.gov list 14 campgrounds[4]. NPS lists nightly individual-site fees from $16 to $30[4].
- What are the hours at Buffalo National River?
- NPS lists the park as open 24 hours[6]. Confirm on the official page before you go.
Facts and sources
- NPS lists Buffalo National River as a fee-free park: there is no entrance fee. National Park Service
- NPS recreation visits by month, 2025 (chart on this page). NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- NPS recreation visits per year: 2021: 1,515,874, 2022: 1,306,932, 2023: 1,549,467, 2024: 1,686,348, 2025: 1,393,246. NPS Visitor Use Statistics
- Campgrounds in Buffalo National River (list on this page). National Park Service
- Buffalo National River is a unit of the U.S. National Park System (designation: National River) in Arkansas. National Park Service
- Operating hours, Buffalo National River: Buffalo National River is 135 miles long. The park is open 24 hours. National Park Service
- NPS weather and seasons overview for Buffalo National River. National Park Service
- National Park Service rule 36 CFR 2.15: where pets are allowed they must be crated, caged or on a leash no longer than six feet at all times, and pets are not allowed in public buildings, on public transportation or on designated swimming beaches (service... eCFR, 36 CFR 2.15
- NPS lists 37 things to do at Buffalo National River: Hike to Hemmed-in Hollow, Paddling Gilbert to South Maumee, Hike the Lost Valley Trail, Hike to Hideout Hollow, Hike to Big Bluff, Hike the Buffalo Point Campground Trails, Hike the Rush Mine Level Trail... National Park Service
- Visitor centers listed by NPS: 3 (Tyler Bend Visitor Center, Buffalo Point Visitor Contact Station, Steel Creek Ranger Station). National Park Service