Waterfall area - Buffalo River Float from Ponca to Kyles

There are a lot of fantastic sites along the Buffalo River -- and a favorite section for floaters is the float from Ponca to Kyle's Landing. You can read more about the float here, and probably the most essential stop along the float at Hemmed-in-Hollow here.

However, if you are floating this section of the river, there is another essential stop along the way that is far less well known, but is one of our favorites.

If you're floating from Ponca, the stop for this water fall area is about 8 miles down river (about 1 mile from the stop to Hemmed In Hollow). As you get close to the point, keep an eye out, and on your left will be a small little waterfall (maybe 6 feet hight) that flows into the river. When you see the water flowing into the river, pull out here on the left.

Up-river from this little falls is a series of smaller (and some of them fairly large) waterfalls for about 1/2 mile up this creek. They're each unique, and very cool. I've posted some pics to give you a feel for the area.

There is a trail that runs mostly along the left, then crosses the creek to the right, and then to the left again. At the top of one of the falls, the trail continues back up the stream for quite a ways.

I get thrown off on the geography a bit here as I have yet to take my topographical map on the river with me to figure this out, but this area seems to either be the Fishtrap Hollow area or the Bear Cave Hollow. If it's Fishtrap Hollow, there would be a much bigger falls further upstream. However, by that point in the float, we were late enough in the day that I didn't really have time to explore and figure it out. So for now, I'm just going to tell you to enjoy the waterfalls near the river -- and we'll leave anything else that may await further upcreek for a later trip.

This is a really interesting little area, and I almost never see any boats parked in this spot, and have never heard anyone talk about it. But I highly recommend it as a stop on the float.

Distance: 8 miles by boat, 1 mile round trip by hike

Footwear: Keens

Difficulty: Moderate

Kids: Maybe. This isn't really a trail, and there is a bit of scrambling that could be slick and dangerous for youngsters.

Comments

[Kim]

Just wanted to let you know we featured you as one of our favorite Arkansas outdoor blogs! You can see the post here: http://www.unclesamgear.com/2013/05/22/favorite-arkansas-outdoor-blogs/

[Brent]

Wow Kim! Thanks for letting me know and for the kudos. I'm extremely flattered. :)

[Mark Irle]

This is bear cave hollow. I just hiked it and fishtrap hollow. Both are tough no trail hikes. fish trap hollow is closer to hemmed in hollow. Use a compass and get out at the corner before the river turns southwest. This typical AR creek is running through rocks and hard to spot. No falls close to the Buffalo like bear cave hollow.

[Brent]

Thanks Mark. The water is up and I'll have to try to find Fish Trap the next time out!