Leave No Trace

Over the past 150 years, humans have drastically altered the Ozark landscape. Today, surrounding road construction, logging operations, land clearing, and agricultural uses affect the health of Buffalo River. The park, however, is also faced with environmental impacts within its boundaries. Many of these impacts are being unknowingly caused by park visitors.

Visitation to Buffalo National River is nearing one million people per year. With this extent of use, no matter what we do we will always have some sort of impact on our surroundings; after all, we are a part of the ecosystem. Much of the environmental damage that is occurring within the park, however, can be minimized if we learn to use Leave No Trace techniques.

Please follow these other suggestions to lessen your impacts on the park environment.

• Plan Before You Go
• Plan your trip for "off season" or non-holiday times. Repackage your food in lightweight pack out or burnable containers.

On Your Way

• Stay on designated trails.
• Do not cut across switchbacks.
• Hike in small groups and spread out
• Don't make new paths around muddy areas or fallen trees. Report trail obstacles to park rangers so they may be be remedied quickly.

During Your Stay

• In high-use areas, choose existing campsites.
• In remote areas, choose sites that cannot be damaged by your stay. Large gravel bars and other areas with little natural vegetation are good sites in which to camp.
• Avoid places where impact is just beginning. Let barely used sites recover.
• All campsites should be at least 100 feet from any water source. This is good practice in case of river rise, too.
• If possible, hide your camp from view.
• Do not dig trenches around tents or build any camp structures.

• Use a lightweight gas stove rather than a fire for cooking.
• Use fire rings only if they already exist. Do NOT build new fire rings.
• Use dead and downed wood, no larger than the size of your forearm.
• Keep the campfire small and make sure it is out and completely disguised before leaving.

• Deposit human waste in cat holes
• Cat holes are 6 to 8 inches deep and should be located at least 100 feet from any water source.
• Thoroughly cover and disguise cat holes when finished
• Keep soap and all food scraps out of all water sources. Wash dishes, clothes, and yourself away from natural water.

  Buffalo River
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  Buffalo River map
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  Big Piney Creek
  Buffalo River
  Caddo River
  Cadron Creek
  Cossatot River
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  Eleven Point River
  Illinois Bayou
  Kings River
  Little Missouri River
  Little Red River
  Mulberry River
  Ouachita River
  Saline River
  Spring River
  Strawberry River
  White River
  

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