The History Of Arkansas’ Buffalo National River Goes Back Further Than You Think

We already know the Buffalo National River (BNR) is the top natural attraction in Arkansas - it immediately showcases why we're called the Natural State after all! You may have already enjoyed a paddle along this longest float trip or spent the night at the most beautiful campground around here.

However, there are even more reasons, historically speaking, why this area is so one-of-a-kind. Let's start with the most recent news.

The BNR most recently made news by becoming the first Dark Sky Park in the south. This recognizes the BNR's limited light pollution and stellar night sky view. There's fewer than 100 Dark Sky Parks in the world and we happen to have one right in Arkansas' backyard!

You can learn more about Dark Sky Parks and BNR's accomplishment by reading this article.

The BNR made national natural news a couple of decades before becoming a Dark Sky Park in the 1980s. Elk used to be native to Arkansas but were completely wiped out by the 1840s. An attempt made by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission in 1981 to reintroduce an elk herd proved successful! The Rocky Mountain variety of elk is estimated to be about 800 head and has been thriving.

Learn more about the elk and where to spot them by reading our full article right here.

One of the most notable distinctions of the Buffalo is its "National River" title. The BNR was established on March 1st, 1972 by an Act of Congress. No dams or other constructions may be built on the river because of this statute. Before becoming a National River the area used to be known as the Buffalo River State Park. You can read about this facet of history in this article.

Even before becoming a tourist destination, the river has always been popular. Many of the settler structures still remain around the Boxley Valley Historic District as well as the ghost town of Rush. There are 42 prehistoric archeological sites from the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian peoples around the BNR as well!

Take a tour of the Rush ghost town by scrolling through this featured article.

Have you ever wondered why the river is called the Buffalo? Much like the elk that used to roam here, so did bison! They were so abundant in the area that the BNR used to be called the Buffalo Fork of the White River. The name was official after Zebulon Pike labeled the river with this name on his map for the U.S. government in 1810.

That's quite a bit of history but let's go back even further! Do you know why there are no dinosaur bones to find around the BNR? The rocks are too old! According to the National State Park Service, "Experts in the fields of geology and paleontology tell us that the Buffalo River snakes its way through at least 180 million years of the fossil record, from a time when life only existed in the seas (~480 million years ago) to when the very first trees and ferns emerged on Earth (~300 million years ago)."

Now, that doesn't mean you can't find any fossils, but they will be ones older than dinosaurs. This crinoid fossil pictured is part of a sea organism that lived approximately 350 million years ago!

It's vital that you leave these relics where they lie (though pictures are just fine) to keep to the Leave No Trace Principles. Minimizing site alterations (Principle #4) helps to preserve these natural wonders!

For more information and resources to plan your next trip to the Buffalo, head to the BNR's official website.