PART ONE
Float the Buffalo.
America's first national river runs cold and clear, five minutes from the property. Most groups float the Upper Buffalo in spring, when the bluffs are at their tallest and the water is high. The Middle and Lower stay runnable into summer and are better for casual paddlers and families.
Outfitters in Ponca, Jasper and along the river will set you up with kayaks, canoes, or rafts and run the shuttle. They'll help you pick the right section for the season and the right outfitter for your group when you book.
See outfitters below .
PART TWO
The trails above the river.
Three favorites to get you started. The full local trail list lives in the Beckham Adventure Guide PDF.
Lost Valley
2.3 mi · easy
A flat creek-side walk to a cluster of waterfalls and a cave at the end. The first hike we suggest to anyone who's never set foot on an Ozark trail.
Drive time
22 minutes from the lodge
Hawksbill Crag (Whitaker Point) 3 mi round trip · moderate
The iconic Ozark photograph. A wooded approach opens onto a stone outcrop with hundreds of feet of air below it — best at sunrise, second-best at golden hour.
Drive time
35 minutes from the lodge
Hemmed-In Hollow - 5.5 mi round trip · strenuous
The tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians is at the bottom of a long descent. The hike out is the work; the falls are the reward.
Drive time
40 minutes from the lodge
PART THREE
Swim holes and waterfalls.
Cold spring-fed pools that take the edge off an Ozark August. The Cave property and the Buffalo are full of them. There are a handful of smaller, locals-only spots tucked into side creeks on-property and within a thirty-minute drive.
Checkout the Beckham Adventure Guide, and make sure you ask about where to find the secret spots during your ATV Welcome Tour.
Find the local public swimming holes on the Buffalo National River and the Little Buffalo River in Bradley Park located in Jasper.
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Bradley Park
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Pruitt Bridge
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Steel Creek
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Ponca
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Low Water Bridge
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Hasty
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Kyles Landing
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Ozark
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Erbie
PRACTICAL
Outfitters and pack list.
OUTFITTERS WE RECOMMEND
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Lost Valley Canoe - Ponca
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Full-service: rentals, shuttle, cabins, guides. Closest to the Upper Buffalo.
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Buffalo Outdoor Center — Ponca
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Full-service: rentals, shuttle, cabins, guides. Closest to the Upper Buffalo.
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Buffalo River Outfitters — St Joe
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Great for the Middle and Lower Buffalo. Family-friendly floats.
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Wild Bill's Outfitter — Yellville
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Multi-day floats and overnight camping setups.
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WHAT TO BRING
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Water shoes or sandals with grip
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A dry bag for phones and keys
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Layers — bluffs run cool in shade, even in summer
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Trail snacks and water; cell service is thin once you leave the property
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Bug spray, May through September
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A printed copy of the Beckham Adventure Guide if you want offline directions
Elk Watching
Local Cave Attractions
Hiking the Ozark National Forest
Lost Valley Canoe
What's Next?
MAKE A FULL DAY OF IT ON THE WATER
Then pair it with a Private Chef Dinner, and Stargazing around the Fire Pit.