Big Bluff via Centerpoint Trail in Buffalo National River, AR

Hike Big Bluff via Centerpoint Trail Buffalo National River, AR

Class 1 6.2 miles 1100 gain 2-4 hrs Out + Back Jun 17, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Big Bluff via Centerpoint Trail GPX Track

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The view from Big Bluff along the Goat Trail is likely my favorite in the entirety of the southeastern United States. You get an unobstructed 180 degree lookout of the Buffalo National River from a sandstone perch a few hundred feet above, and the Goat Trail itself is really pretty. To clear up confusion about this trail, which I definitely experienced, you start at the Centerpoint Trailhead and take the Centerpoint Trail down to the junction with the Goat Trail. The Goat Trail leads to Big Bluff, the name of the sandstone ledge feature with the nice overlook. It's unfortunate that the Centerpoint Trail is an ugly old forest road, because the payoff really incredibly pretty and the approach doesn't compete. I actually would recommend extending the Hemmed-In Hollow Trail or the Sneeds Creek Trail to get here to avoid the Centerpoint Trail entirely and make the approach more enjoyable.

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Starting along the Centerpoint Trail.
Starting along the Centerpoint Trail.
A nice view along the wide, old road.
A nice view along the wide, old road.
And then it's just a walk down a road for almost three miles.
And then it's just a walk down a road for almost three miles.
Nothing interesting on the Centerpoint Trail really.
Nothing interesting on the Centerpoint Trail really.
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Finally, the Centerpoint Trail branches off onto the Goat Trail, leading to Big Bluff.
Finally, the Centerpoint Trail branches off onto the Goat Trail, leading to Big Bluff.
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Big Bluff. Awesome.
Big Bluff. Awesome.
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I took a million pictures of Big Bluff. It was really spectacular.
I took a million pictures of Big Bluff. It was really spectacular.
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One spot coming up with a ledge to climb up onto to continue along the Goat Trail to access the southern section of Big Bluff.
One spot coming up with a ledge to climb up onto to continue along the Goat Trail to access the southern section of Big Bluff.
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Eventually, the bluff section goes away, and a use trail seems to continue. Maybe it goes down to the Buffalo River?  We turned around when Big Bluff ended though.
Eventually, the bluff section goes away, and a use trail seems to continue. Maybe it goes down to the Buffalo River? We turned around when Big Bluff ended though.
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Close-up of the Buffalo National River from Big Bluff.
Close-up of the Buffalo National River from Big Bluff.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!