Our extended family took a 9 ½ hour road trip to the Buffalo River this summer. It was the first time we had traveled together like this. Our oldest member is 68 and our youngest member is 5. We stayed in log cabins built by the CCC in the 1930s. This picture is of our whole group before we canoed and kayaked a 4-mile stretch of the river.
This trip will never be forgotten! Our family got a chance to know each other better and work together. The cell phone service was intermittent and the teens were forced to put away their electronic devices. But they didn’t mind nearly as much because they were in awe of the grandeur all around them. From swimming in front of bluffs, to floating the river, to a 3+ mile hike to a rock cave where Native Americans once lived, we had so much fun!
We are so grateful for this time we had together and the beautiful National Park System.
Sincerely,
Buffalo National River
The Buffalo is America's first national river and one of the last undammed rivers in the contiguous United States. Its 135 miles flow freely through beautiful Ozark forests and bluffs of limestone and sandstone, offering challenging whitewater conditions in the upper section and calmer Class I rapids in the middle and lower sections. There are not many roads or established overlooks in the park; the best way to experience the beauty of the water is to be out on it, navigating the cliffs, springs, waterfalls and multicolored rock. Just be alert and prepared for fast-changing conditions.
State(s): Arkansas
Established: 1972
“The preserve the most beautiful and sacred places in our country. They keep history alive for us and future generations. They teach us the importance of conservation. And they inspire us to explore more and enjoy all of our many national treasures!”
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Buffalo National River
I grew up a pastor’s kid and I had four siblings. As you might expect, we did not have a lot of money to take vacations. However, we could afford to camp in the natural beauty of the National Parks. That is exactly what we did. Some of my best…
-
Greetings from New River Gorge National Park & Preserve
This summer, my friends and I held our annual camping trip in New River Gorge National Park. As young adults, (some of us are still students) a lot of vacation spots are out of our price range, but public lands like national parks allow us to spend time together without…
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now