Wildflower viewing

Wildflower viewing is another cool experience available in the Jasper area, allowing you to connect with nature and appreciate the beauty of diverse plant life. I often find my wife has left me and is staring down at and taking pictures of wildflowers on the side of the trail.

You’ve got to visit the area during Spring and Fall! It’s absolutely stunning! It feels like colors just burst forth during those seasons. You won’t believe how beautiful it is with all the wildflowers in full bloom or the foliage turning into vibrant hues. It’s like stepping into a magical wonderland of colors and natural beauty!

The two things to consider are timing and locations.

1. Timing: The wildflower season in the Buffalo River region usually begins in late March or April and extends through May and into early June.
2. Location, Location, Location: Different wildflowers thrive in various environments, making each place unique in its floral display. Identify the type of wildflowers you want to see and find out where they are most likely to grow, whether it’s along the Buffalo River’s banks or within its surrounding forests.

• • Koen: This short walk, there are 34 different kinds of trees and other plants identified with signs along the trail. The trail is wheelchair accessible and has benches scattered along the way so you can sit down, take a break, and enjoy the peaceful beauty of the forest.
  • Round Top: This trail is a couple minutes’ drive from Jasper, featuring some of Newton County’s most spectacular vistas overlooking Arkansas Grand Canyon.
  • Hemmed-In Hollow Trail: This challenging trail leads to the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians, Hemmed-In Hollow Falls. Along the way, hikers can enjoy wildflowers, particularly in the spring and early summer.
  • Steel Creek Campground: The Steel Creek Campground area is another excellent spot for wildflower viewing. With the largest Bluff line, you can drive up too as a backdrop, you can find wildflowers along the riverbanks and in the nearby meadows during the peak season.
  • Whitaker Point (Hawksbill Crag): (This is in the Ozark National Forest) The iconic Hawksbill Crag, also known as Whitaker Point, offers breathtaking vistas and is surrounded by a diverse array of wildflowers in the springtime.
  • Lost Valley Trail: The Lost Valley Trail is one of my top 3 hiking trails that features cool cave waterfall, as well as other waterfalls, and a variety of wildflowers. This trail is especially famous for its spring wildflower displays, with blooms such as trilliums, violets, and columbines dotting the landscape.
  • Boxley Valley: Boxley Valley is not only famous for its elk viewing opportunities but also for its wildflower displays. You can spot wildflowers along the fields and roadsides, especially in late spring and early summer.
  • Ponca: Next to Boxely and Lost valley, the Ponca area, along with the nearby Buffalo River, is home to a wide variety of wildflowers. Hiking trails in and around Ponca offer opportunities to experience the region’s floral beauty up close.
  • Buffalo Point: On the lower river portion is Buffalo Point. Buffalo Point is another excellent location for observing wildflowers in the Buffalo River region. The campground and surrounding areas provide a variety of habitats where wildflowers thrive.

Tips when going:

1. Consider bringing a field guide or a mobile app that helps identify the wildflowers. Google search has a feature that can help identify but you may not have service. Therefore, you may want to find something you can download.
2. Check the weather forecast before your trip.
3. Bring your camera or smartphone to capture the beauty of the flowers.

Rules to follow:

1. Stay on designated trails.
2. Do not pick or disturb wildflowers.
3. Respect wildlife: Observe wildlife, including insects and animals, from a safe distance and avoid disrupting their natural behaviors.
4. Leave no trace.