National Park Service Proposes Changes To Buffalo National River Visitor Plan

Proposed changes to managing visitors at the Buffalo National River in Arkansas call for what appears to be a significant increase in parking, realignment, and creation, of some roads and trails, and movement of campsites out of flood-prone areas.

The draft River Management Plan, the first update in more than 40 years since the 1983 plan was adopted, calls for the addition of approximately 320 parking spots along the Buffalo, the nation's first national river.

The park newsletter breaking down the draft plan does not indicate how many existing parking spots there are, however, or how many river users typically park on the river's shorelines, so it's impossible to say if there would be a net increase of 320 sites if the plan is approved. Park staff did not immediately return a call Tuesday.

The newsletter does say the plan update is needed to "facilitate a broad array of commercial and noncommercial recreational uses by identifying the appropriate types and amounts of both commercial and noncommercial use at key river access points; and determine the appropriate type, scale, and mix of facility improvements that optimize visitor access while protecting resources."

The newsletter does not specify how many acres of the park would be turned into parking lots or new roads for river access. It does say the proposed plan would "simplify river management zones," and "update desired conditions for resource protection, visitor access and experience, facilities, and infrastructure."

The Buffalo National River in northern Arkansas features more than 100 miles of free-flowing river, massive sandstone and limestone bluffs. It was designated by Congress as a public park in 1972 to conserve the unique scenic and scientific features of the area, while preserving as free flowing an important segment of the Buffalo River for the enjoyment of future generations. 

Public comment on the plan is being taken through April 10. Additionally, drop-in public meetings are set for March 16, 17, and 19, and a public meeting is scheduled for March 31.

The March 16 meeting is to be held at the Krooked Kreek Volunteer Fire Department in Marble Falls, Arkansas; the March 17 meeting is planned for the Yellville High School Gym (Panther Pavilion) in Yellville, Arkansas, and; the March 19 meeting is to be at the Dr. Charles D. Daniel Civic Center in Marshall, Arkansas. Those meetings are scheduled to run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

The March 31 virtual meeting will be live via Microsoft Teams via this link, and also will run from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.