OLD RIVER TRAIL
BUFFALO NATIONAL RIVER, ARKANSAS
The Old River Trail, stretching for a little over 13 miles, winds its way through the picturesque bottomlands of the Buffalo River, connecting the towns of Ponca and Erbie. Long before the establishment of America’s First National River and the rise of tourism in in the area, settlers of buffalo river country used these very same paths to transport their horses and wagons along the river. Walking along this trail, you can find remnants of these families' homesteads, all but completely reclaimed by the surrounding forest. It is truly awe-inspiring to witness these snippets of a bygone era and to imagine the hardships that were endured in this unforgiving part of the Ozarks. Horseback riders almost exclusively use the trail, but some hikers use it to connect an extensive network of other footpaths in the area (like the BRT, which intertwines throughout the length of the ORT). The ORT offers incredible views of Buffalo River Country. The up-close and personal scenes that you can usually only see while floating the river (in comparison, the ORT provides many more scenic opportunities than the BRT (which mostly keeps you tucked back in the forest, away from scenic vistas).
Fall and Winter tend to be the most popular times to tackle the Old River Trail. However, no matter the season, thoroughly planning your trip is a must if you want to have a successful and enjoyable experience. Starting your journey with torrential rain in the forecast could easily dampen your spirits and make the trail impassable. During the summer, the ORT becomes very overgrown, so be prepared to navigate through dense foliage and brush. Additionally, ticks, chiggers, and even mosquitos can be a nuisance and potentially pose health risks, so pack bug spray and wear appropriate clothing to protect yourself. One important factor to consider when planning your trip is the river crossings. There are twenty river crossings along the ORT, and they can become treacherous during the rainy Spring months or any season with heavy rainfall. Being aware of the weather conditions and checking river levels before starting your hike is crucial to ensure your safety and avoid any potential hazards. It's worth noting that the Old River Trail is a shared-use trail, meaning it is open to both equestrian and hiking activities. If you choose to explore the trail on foot, be mindful of horse droppings along the way!
During this year's peak autumn color display here in Ponca, I had the amazing opportunity to experience the Old River Trail as it was truly intended - by horseback! While I've hiked segments of the ORT numerous times before, either to reach breathtaking scenic spots or to connect with other stunning hiking trails in the area, I had never explored it from this unique perspective. What a treat it was to not only give my legs a much-needed break but to also witness the wonders of the Ponca wilderness from an entirely different vantage point, especially during this particularly beautiful fall color year.
