The Buffalo National River is filled with adventures around and on the water! One shore-side trek to take is the Indian Rock House Trail. This hike will take you to a lovely intertwining of nature and history. Let's lace up our hiking boots and head to this neck-craning rock shelter.
Towards the Lower District of the Buffalo National River resides quite the hike!
Indian Rock House Trail is a pleasantly challenging 3.3-mile loop near Yellville. For a map of the area and directions, use this map.
The hike is rated as moderate but most folks find it to be family friendly.
The trail is well marked and worn though not paved. The elevation gain is an achievable 480-ft. along the path. Just be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, and bug spray!
The main feature of Indian Rock House is the actual rock shelter but there's plenty of beauty to find along the way.
The journey through the forested canopy makes for a pleasantly shaded adventure even in the hotter months. You'll traverse small creeks and even discover a waterfall! The cascades are best to view after a rain, especially around fall.
The rock formations around the cave are just as impressive as the rock house!
Despite its cavernous size, the rock house is almost camouflaged in the forest and rock. The staggering towers of rock will catch your eye first and lead you to the shelter.
Indian Rock House is the largest bluff shelter around the Buffalo National River and photos really don't do it justice!
It helps having people as a reference point but you need to see the shelter in person to truly take in its cavernous mass.
As you learn the history about the rock shelter you'll also be able to spot different natural features.
The open cave has numerous plaques filled with history about the nearby mining town, Rush, and the cave's early uses. Indian Rock House has held inhabitants on and off through history for thousands of years! Numerous archaeology teams have excavated the site, notably including Samuel Dellinger’s crew from the University of Arkansas Museum in the 1930s. The oldest evidence of Native American use dates back 9,000 years!
While you're exploring the cave be sure to notice the underground stream that emerges in the shelter as well as the natural skylight above!
This is one natural attraction no Arkansan should miss!
Buffalo National River is filled with so many beautiful spots but we love the combination of history and nature at the Indian Rock House Trail! Be sure to research this hike further before you take that first step.
There are so many trails to take in this area! What's your favorite? We'd love to see any of your Buffalo National River hikes in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
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