The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics recently announced the designation of Buffalo National River as a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site, taking its spot among the elite group of 12 parks nationwide that have earned this honor.
Cover photo by @kevinwaynesworld on IG
The Gold Standard of Outdoor Ethics
Leave No Trace is a set of principles that teach people how to recreate responsibly and with minimal negative impacts on the environment. They provide guidance to enjoy our natural world in a sustainable way that avoids human-created impacts. In order to be named a Leave No Trace Gold Standard Site, each site must undergo a rigorous evaluation—so rigorous in fact, that the Buffalo National River is only the sixth National Park Service site to receive this designation and the first in Arkansas.
Learn more about the Seven Principles of Leave No Trace, below.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Did you know that within Buffalo National River there are 283 individual campsites available, throughout 10 campgrounds, and 94 of these campsites are reservable? You can call 1-877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov to make a campsite reservation. The park’s remaining 189 sites are strictly first come, first served. If you camp in a first come, first served site you will need to pay at a fee station, with cash or check. Please practice Leave No Trace Principle #1 and Plan Ahead and Prepare, as all campgrounds normally fill up prior to holiday weekends. To learn more about camping at Buffalo National River click on the link below.
Plan Ahead and Prepare
Did you know that within Buffalo National River there are 283 individual campsites available, throughout 10 campgrounds, and 94 of these campsites are reservable? You can call 1-877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov to make a campsite reservation. The park’s remaining 189 sites are strictly first come, first served. If you camp in a first come, first served site you will need to pay at a fee station, with cash or check. Please practice Leave No Trace Principle #1 and Plan Ahead and Prepare, as all campgrounds normally fill up prior to holiday weekends. To learn more about camping at Buffalo National River click on the link below.
Lastly, Enjoy the View
Offering the darkest skies in Arkansas, America’s first National River is your front-row seat to the universe! Designated an International Dark Sky Park in 2019, the Buffalo National River is the first and only National Park in Arkansas to achieve this status. The Buffalo National River is dedicated to preserving naturally dark night skies by implementing responsible outdoor lighting practices and offering public programs about astronomy and the effects of light pollution. Learn more about their commitment to preserving natural night sky and combatting light pollution below.
