River View Trail

This 2.6-mile hike is short but has scenic overlooks as well as a little bit of history. To access this trail, park at the visitor center for the Buffalo National River and look for the trailhead to the left of the building. A small wood sign will note the trailhead where hikers can get mileage to different viewpoints along the trail. Hikers  initially enter into a wooded area and descend for the first half mile of the trail. After a relatively flat 0.4 miles hikers will cross over a bridge and begin to ascend. There are a few views of the Buffalo River around the half-mile mark, though most are partially obscured by tree branches. The next part of the trail consists of long ascending switchbacks.  For 0.3 miles the trail winds away from the river as it climbs to the riverbluff. At 0.7 miles the trail begins to follow the bluffs of the river. There are places to look out over the river, but hikers should be aware that they are walking toward cliff faces and should be extremely careful of where they are walking.  

While one sign at the trailhead states there is a designated trailhead indicating there is an overlook at 0.8 miles, there is no man-made clearing to safely overlook the ledge. At 1 mile there is a deck that overlooks the Buffalo River and the Ozark Mountains, and the views are spectacular even in summer when there is ample brush. The bend in the river is known as Tyler Bend, and hikers may be able to see people canoeing or kayaking the Buffalo River below. 

Hikers who want a little more mileage can continue along the trail to the Collier homestead. The portion of the trail from the overlook to the homestead is a wide and flat trail. The homestead was built in 1920s and inhabited until the 1960s. Hikers can enter the home and the shed and take a look around the property.