Did You Know Arkansas Had A Grand Canyon?

Located just southeast of Jasper in the Ozarks of Arkansas right off AR 7 is a huge valley dubbed Arkansas’s Grand Canyon.

Technically called Buffalo River Canyon (because it was formed by the Buffalo River flowing through it) it is the deepest canyon in the Ozarks. From this scenic point you are standing 1,414 feet above the canyon. On a clear day Missouri is visible 40 miles away.

It’s not rocky like the Grand Canyon National Park, but it is a beautiful tree covered canyon that stretches on as far as the eye can see.

This scenic viewpoint has a two story wooden lookout tower to climb as well.  The top provides you with some better views and since it’s so tiny it’s an easy climb for almost anyone.

Restrooms and a small gift shop on the premises.

The gift shop offers snack as well as a large and very reasonably priced selection of rocks and minerals. I picked up a few more pieces for my collection while there. They also have a small selection of your usual touristy souvenirs.

We were boondocking in the area and were just doing one of our random afternoon drives to see what we could find when we stumbled upon this spot.

It’s worth the stop in my opinion to check out the amazing views. The whole thing will take less than 15 minutes and it’s free. AR 7 is actually a really scenic drive with a lot to see.

Less than 10 minutes from the Buffalo River Canyon scenic viewpoint you will find the Hillary Jones Wildlife Museum. Run by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission it’s the best place to get all your information on the Ozarks and the Buffalo River area.

They have a bunch of displays including taxidermy and an aquarium. Click on the link above for my post on the museum. Make sure to ask them where the best place to see elk is. We didn’t see any, but apparently the area is a hotspot for the mammals.