National Park Service and Buffalo National River Centennial Events

This year marks the Centennial of the National Park Service, and there will be celebrations and special events across the U.S. and throughout the year to honor the moment when U.S. President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the agency on August 25, 1916.

Arkansas is home to eight NPS sites or trails, each with its own unique story: Arkansas Post, Buffalo National River, Fort Smith National Historic Site, Hot Springs National Park, Little Rock Central High School, Pea Ridge National Military Park, the President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home and the Trail of Tears.

At the Buffalo National River, the National Park Service oversees 95,730 acres and three designated wilderness areas within that acreage. Rushing whitewater is interspersed with calm pools as the river wends its way 135 miles through the lush green valley that is home to elk, deer, black bear and other woodland creatures. Tall limestone bluffs in earthy hues of gray, tan and brown are defining features of the Buffalo. It is one of the few remaining undammed rivers in the lower 48 states.

Allowed to remain as Mother Nature intended, the Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas provides a beautiful space for hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, canoeing, caving, fishing, wildlife watching, and much, much more. Primarily to keep it from being dammed, the Buffalo River was designated by Congress as America’s first national river in 1972. Along its corridor, you’ll find canoe and kayak outfitters, campsites, cabin rentals, an elk herd, and historic areas such as the Boxley Valley Historic District, the Parker Hickman Homestead, and the Villines Cabin.

In conjunction with the centennial celebration, here is a list of events taking place at the Buffalo National River:

Centennial Iron Ranger Challenge – Jan. 1 – Dec. 31, 2016

The challenge is a year-long program to encourage visitors to “Find Your Park” and improve their health and fitness by completing 100 miles of physical activity over the course of the year. Participants may choose to hike, bike, paddle, walk, run, or roll 100 miles in any of the national parks in Arkansas. Visitors who complete 100 miles of activity will receive a certificate and a commemorative patch to recognize their accomplishment, but the real reward will be experiencing the parks and the many benefits of physical recreation. Sign up and register for the Iron Ranger Challenge here and start logging those miles today!

National Park Week and Earth Day – April 16-24

The park will host a Paddleboard Workshop with Gabriel Gray at the Ozark Campground on Saturday, April 16. Additionally, National Park on the Air, a ham radio operation, will be set up, offering an opportunity for National Parks to get some air time and for the public to learn about amateur radio.

On Friday, April 22, you can take part in a river cleanup on a section of the river in the upper Buffalo in celebration of Earth Day. The cleanup is dependent on river conditions.

On Saturday, April 23, enjoy a free concert from National Park Radio at Steel Creek from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Earth Week wraps up on Sunday, April 24 with a relaxing morning yoga session at Steel Creek.

Civilian Conservation Corps Open House/National Tourism Week – May 7

This event takes a look back to when the place known as Buffalo Point was Buffalo River State Park. When the Buffalo River was designated America’s first national river in 1972, the state park was donated to the National Park System. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) had a hand in development of the state park.

Richard Davies, former director of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism, and Kelley Linck, Arkansas State Representative, will be on hand to speak about the CCC influence at what was once Buffalo River State Park. A NPS ranger-led program on the history of the CCC, and a chair caning demonstration will acknowledge the lasting legacy that the CCC had in developing Buffalo Point. Historic cabin #1 will also be open for people to tour.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will have a mobile fish tank on display and radio station KHOZ will broadcast live. This event will be hosted in conjunction with the Harrison Welcome Center up near the Buffalo Point Cabins and Restaurant.

Adopt A Trail Day – June 4

In honor of National Trails Day, Buffalo National River will launch an Adopt a Trail Event at Tyler Bend. People that sign up will be expected to hike their trail quarterly, pick up trash, and report the condition of the trail to the park. Presenters will also speak about Leave No Trace, the park’s Centennial events, and other trail and park related topics.

National Public Lands Day – Sept. 24

Take part in a national day of service in celebration of National Public Lands Day by participating in a clean-up of the middle or lower river clean-up.

Ozark Folklife Festival – Oct. 1

This Searcy County event will bring traditional Ozark artists and craftspeople together at Tyler Bend for a day of musical performances and demonstrations to celebrate Ozark culture.

Buffalo River Biathlon – Come Hill or High Water – Oct. 16

This inaugural event will consist of a 6.1 mile trail run on the Buffalo River Trail from Dillards Ferry to Spring Creek followed by a 4.6 mile canoe/kayak race from Spring Creek back to Dillards Ferry. Registration details will be available late April or early May.

For details on these and other park events, visit http://www.nps.gov/buff/getinvolved/buffalo-national-river-centennial-events.htm, email at cassandra_johannsen@nps.gov or phone 870-365-2776.