BOC Ponca Downhill at Buffalo Outdoor Center

The Buffalo National River area has always been a gem in Arkansas’s crown. Hikers and boaters are drawn to the emerald water and iconic landmarks like Whitaker Point and Hemmed In-Hollow. Now Boxley Valley also boasts the longest downhill trails in the state. Located in the mountains surrounding Ponca on land owned by the Buffalo Outdoor Center (BOC), you’ll find a network of gravity lines that can be laced together into five-mile-long runs with as much as 1,500 feet of descending trails. The downhill-specific trails cater to intermediate and expert riders, but the multi-directional trail, which can be ridden up or down, is suitable for beginners. The system is packed with memorable features like tight, steep back-to-back berms and off-camber rock ledges, as well as plenty of optional drops and jumps. The trail builders also drew inspiration from trails in the Pacific Northwest and included wooden bridges that send riders down massive rock slabs.