Ponca, Arkansas is the perfect location to slip quietly away into the wilderness, and experience the rugged peacefulness that only such seclusion can offer. With a population of 95 people, this tiny town is nestled next to the upper Buffalo National River. A deep shade of aqua, this river flows far below towering cliffs, winding its way through a world seemingly untouched. This area is known for its amazing hiking, swimming, floating, and paddle trips. We spent only a few days here on our way back from Branson, MO. It was a short amount of time for a place so beautiful. We are hoping to return sometime soon to see all that the Buffalo River has to offer!
Things to Do
Zipline Adventure Tour
As mentioned above, the Ponca area is somewhat remote. But have no fear, there is a great resource center located right in the center of town! The Buffalo Outdoor Center, or BOC, is your Ponca wilderness basecamp of sorts. Among many things, the BOC offers several activities that can be easily booked through their website. Canoe and kayak float trips are available March through June on the scenic Buffalo River. They also have mountain bike rentals if you are looking to be even more adventurous. Some of the trails we saw were intense!
While visiting Ponca, we decided to check out the zipline canopy tour offered through the BOC. I wasn’t quite sure if the kids would be excited or terrified! They really surprised me by jumping off the platforms, screaming with delight each time they zipped through the trees. The canopy tour is a system of cables connected to several platforms built around huge Ozark hardwood trees. You are safely attached to the cable by a harness which allows you to zip through the Arkansas forest! We spent two hours gliding through the Ozark wilderness and could even see the small town of Ponca in the valley below. This was such a fun adventure and the staff members were so friendly. They took the best care of us!
Hike Lost Valley Trail
Despite being only 2.2 miles in length, Lost Valley Trail is one of the most spectacular hikes in the area. This is a great family hike with waterfalls, lush forests, and caves that can be explored! The trail starts with a nice, easy path that takes you through the trees and along Clark Creek. A bit further down the path a massive bluff named Cobb Cave comes into view. Walking under the towering overhang almost feels as if you have stepped into another world. We climbed over huge boulders and up onto the side of the cave for a great view of the forest. This is a nice place to stop for lunch or a snack while enjoying the shade.
Shortly after Cobb Cave, Eden Falls comes into view. During the wet season, there is an impressive waterfall here that tumbles down 31 feet in length before falling 53 feet to the bottom. At the top of the falls is the entrance to Eden Falls Cave. This is the section of the trail for the adventurous hikers in the group. Proceed onward to visit an indoor waterfall, if you aren’t afraid of the dark! Side note: Be sure to be prepared and bring flashlights or headlamps. After entering the cave, the height quickly drops to the point that you are crawling on all fours and it’s necessary to have your flashlight to continue. With some encouragement, the kids followed as we squeezed ourselves through a few tight spaces! After only 50 feet or so there is a large opening with a waterfall cascading down into the darkness. It was fun, and a little spooky, walking around this cave room without any sign of sunlight. This cave is a great little adventure for older children!
Tips: Flashlights are required or even better, bring a headlamp. Waterproof hiking boots are best, the cave is wet and slippery!
Steel Creek Swimming Hole
After a day of hiking in the Arkansas sun, swimming in the cool water of the Buffalo River was a welcome reward! I had heard there were some places nearby and I’m so glad we stumbled upon this beautiful spot for some old fashioned swimming hole fun! With giant boulders perfect for jumping into the pristine water, the kids wanted to stay here all day. There is also a shallow, gentle pebbled beach entry where fish can be spotted swimming by. This is a great spot for the smaller tots to play. So, pack a lunch and bring your floaties, for a low-key relaxing afternoon!
To find the Steel Creek swimming hole, take Hwy 74 S from Ponca for a mile until you reach the Steel Creek Campground entrance. After another mile, turn left and continue on until you reach the campground. After parking, walk through the campsite area until you see footpaths leading through the trees. Follow the path until you reach the swimming hole.
Where to Eat
The BOC Deli
Staying in the Ozark wilderness did require some planning ahead for meals during our visit. There are no touristy cafes or coffee shops in little Ponca. In fact, the closest grocery store is in Harrison, AR about 25 miles away. We brought the majority of our groceries with us during our drive down into Ponca, to make meals in our cabin during our stay. We did treat ourselves one day and enjoyed lunch at the BOC deli. The friendly staff whipped up some spectacular sandwiches that we happily ate while sitting on the patio at the front of the store. The BOC does have some basic grocery staples if you are in a pinch!
Where to Stay
Buffalo Outdoor Center Cabins
Once again the BOC came through for us! We booked a two bedroom cabin with a magnificent view of the valley. Our little cabin was perched high up on the mountainside where all we could hear was the sound of the birds chirping! It was definitely relaxing to sit on the porch swing and enjoy a glass of wine as the sun slipped below the rugged hills.
The BOC has lodging options for groups of every size. If romance brings you to Ponca, couples cabins are available. One, two, or three bedroom cabins all the way up to multi-family lodges can be rented through the BOC. So no matter who you bring to the Ozarks, there are plenty of options. There is even an RV park too if that is more your style!
Whether you stop by for a day, a week, or more, there is so much natural beauty to be explored in Ponca. We highly recommend checking it out for an off the beaten path getaway. Happy travels!
