Spring is an ideal time to get out and explore the hills and hollers of the Arkansas Ozarks, so grab your hiking gear, camera, and maps and get ready for adventure! Whether you’re planning a short stroll, a day-long excursion, or an overnight hike, be sure to take water, food, and other essentials with you (browse the Internet for suggested items to include in your backpack). A word of caution here: even if you’re a seasoned hiker with a keen sense of direction, stick to marked trails for your own safety. As my fictional county sheriff says in Deadly Ties:
Our Search and Rescue teams spend a lot of time finding tourists who rely on GPS and think choosing ‘shortest route’ will get them where they want to go. Unfortunately, the shortest route around here can send you down a dead-end logging road, up a mountainside, and into places where cell phone service is spotty at best.” He handed Maggie a map of the county. “Get a compass,” he advised, “and keep it with this map in your vehicle and in your backpack. We don’t want to have to send Search and Rescue after you.
The story is fiction but the warning is real. Wherever you hike, be alert for weather changes, slippery paths, falling rocks, and other hazards. If you’re injured, it can take hours for our Search & Rescue (SAR) teams to locate you, render first aid, and physically carry you back to a road for transport to a medical facility.
Incidentally, if you see a “register box” at the trail head, be sure to sign in and out, follow your map, and stay on marked trails. These simple precautions can help SAR locate you if you’re injured or lost.
Of all the trails and natural wonders you can explore, the 135-mile Buffalo National River tops the list for many. Designated as America’s First National River, you’ll discover running rapids, quiet pools, and massive bluffs as you paddle along. Fair warning, though: you can become the next SAR statistic if you’re not prepared. Before you go, read everything on the Safety page for information about thunderstorms, water, bluff, and cave hazards, and wildlife at Buffalo River–your life may depend on it!
According to the National Park Service:
Within the River’s boundaries, there are nearly 36,000 acres of designated Wilderness areas. Every year, dozens of visitors are rescued from the backcountry and wilderness areas of Buffalo National River. Some get into a tight spot on the river, some become lost off trail, and others fall off of cliffs. Occasionally, some even die in Buffalo River’s backcountry. More than 70% of rescues at Buffalo National River involve uninjured people who are simply unprepared and/or make unwise decisions.
When the call comes, a team of highly-dedicated, highly-trained rescuers (about half of whom are volunteers) respond in all weather conditions to help those in need. These search and rescue (SAR) missions are both dangerous and expensive. Each incident costs money for the taxpaying public.
There are six areas where people are commonly in need of SAR assistance around the Buffalo. Click here to see photographs and learn important information about each area. Scroll down that page and you’ll find a comprehensive summary of preventative actions you can take to stay safe and enjoy your adventure!
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(For more photos, click The Ozarks tab at the top of the page.)
Looking for more adventures?
I highly recommend . Here’s an overview of what to expect from the author and his faithful trail partner, Hiker-dog:
Hiking expert and Ozarks native Jim Warnock shares everything you need to know about 43 five-star hiking trails for all levels and interests, including route details, directions, nearby attractions, GPS-based trail maps, elevation profiles, and more in this easy-to-carry and easy-to-use guidebook. Every trail is rated for scenery, difficulty, trail condition, solitude, and accessibility for children, so you know exactly what to expect before beginning your next adventure.
A beautiful, informative post! Thank you.