Goat Trail to Big Bluff // Adventure Guide
The Goat Trail to Big Bluff
over the Buffalo National River
This trail is quickly becoming one of the most popular in the state, & for good reason. The payout at the end of the strenuous hike is a wide open view of the Buffalo National River, plus a geological wonder. There are already a lot of great resources out there to help provide you with information on this hike, so I hope this “Adventure Guide” can give you photographic reference & inspiration, plus an FAQ on the hike that I generated via my Instagram account. I’ve included photos from daytime, sunset, nighttime, & morning here so you can get your fill! If you ended up at this page first, be sure to check out what the National Park Service has on the area, plus your “Center of Adventure” local outfitter, The Buffalo Outdoor Center.
Adventure F.A.Q.
Q. How do I Find the Trail?
A. The “Goat Trail,” “Big Bluff,” & “Centerpoint Trail” are all basically one in the same. When people initially search for this hike, the various names & references can get confusing. You’ll want to search for the “Centerpoint Trailhead.” A simple search on any Maps app will take you to the Centerpoint TH in Compton, AR. On your way down the Centerpoint Trail you’ll eventually spur off onto what is referred to as “The Goat Trail” to end up hundreds of feet up on the feature known as “Big Bluff.” Hopefully that clarifies the confusion!
The Buffalo Outdoor Center has created an awesome map for the trail here!
Q. When is the Best Time to Visit the Trail?
A. Time of year: The photos in this blog were taken on two separate trips in both July & September. I have a great preference for the Spring-Fall for this hike, but with the sweeping views ANY time of year is great! I personally favor this trail when water levels are low, otherwise we might be floating the river or hiking to a waterfall. I also favor weekdays because this hike gets overcrowded on nice weekends.
Time of day: Round trip you should plan for 4-5 hours to complete all 6 miles. It isn’t too bad going down, but you’ll likely want a snack & water break & take it slow coming back up. If the parking lot is full, change your plans. This is not a hike you want to be crowded on for safety sake. There is a reason the lot is only so big!
Photographing: Mid-afternoon & later is my preferred light any time of year for Big Bluff as you’ll see in these photos. Just make sure you take lights to hike out or prepare to camp. If you camp, sunrises in the Spring & Summer are very frequently foggy which can be amazing or white-out bummers. Impossible to plan, but wonderful to capture! Most traffic is in the middle of the day, so planning for the afternoon is a good way to avoid the crowds.
Q. Is Camping Allowed?
A. Yes & No. Dispersed Camping along the Centerpoint Trail IS allowed. There is a bottomed out clearing with a few fire-rings perfect for camping off the trail right at the spot where The Goat Trail spurs off to the right down to Big Bluff. Camping on Big Bluff/The Goat Trail is NOT allowed. The geology here is extremely fragile & you will see traces of where others have broken these rules. Fires will stain & damage the rock-face & camping structures will damage the geology or flora, not to mention how dangerously close to a 500ft ledge you will be. I strongly urge everyone to follow Leave No Trace ethics on this trail & do the right thing even if think no one is watching.
You’ll see camping photos here of an amazing night we spend right off the Centerpoint Trail at the designated fire-rings for dispersed camping. When camping on this trail, keep in mind the strenuous distance. I preferred a hammock-camping setup so I could reduce weight on my pack while also carrying camera equipment!
Q. What about Astro-Photography?
A. For any photography-buffs who camp, you may be tempted to try some star-scapes, Milky Way, or other night time photos. Personally, I think the spot is a bit too finicky to pull off, but I’ve only tried it once. This, again, is where I would urge EXTREME CAUTION to moving on this trail with low visibility. The photos you’ll see below were made more difficult by the additional lighting of a crescent moon, plus that summer fog that rolled in after midnight. You can still see a trace of the Milky Way though. If you try this, I would recommend a wide to ultra-wide lens to capture some of the bluff around you for a sense of place.
Photos from Morning on Big Bluff
More F.A.Q. Below
Q. What should I bring?
A. This answer will vary person to person, trip to trip, but here are a few things I think you should ALWAYS have with you on this hike: Water, a snack, proper hiking footwear. The rest is up to you. On our most recent trip (photos included), we packed sandwiches & water from the Buffalo Outdoor Center which were amazing after the hike down in September heat. I usually take a day-pack with a camera or two & only one or two lenses. If you hike with a partner it is easier to share the load! Especially if you plan to camp, I recommend dispersing the weight so that one person has the water & food while the other person has the camping gear & extra clothing items. Like I said on the camping question, I preferred a hammock-camping set up. My rig is a double hammock, inflatable camping pillow, light blanket, & a tent-footprint or tarp if you want to fashion a hammock cover.
Q. Can I hike this trail alone?
A. You can do anything through Christ who strengthens you, but I do also encourage you to make a wise decision based on your experience on hikes like this. No matter how crowded or popular this trail is, it is still not one to be taken lightly. I would recommend NOT to do this trail alone at night (this is where I had my first & only bear encounter, so learn from my mistakes). I would recommend NOT to do this trail alone if the weather has been wet or freezing. I also recommend NOT to do this trail alone without leaving specific information with a trusted person about your departure/arrival times. It is hard to find cell service in the area, so it could be 8 hours of downtime before anyone hears from you.
Q. What is the Terrain Like?
A. This is considered a strenuous hike! 6 Miles round-trip that can take you about 4-5 hours to complete. There is a 1300ft elevation change, & it is ALL uphill on the hike back up. The Centerpoint Trail itself is an old wagon road, easy to follow, but full of large, loose rocks to take your time on. Dogs are not allowed & children/people with vertigo or fear of heights are discouraged on this trail because once you make it to the Goat Trail it is very narrow & precarious. Use extreme caution at this portion.
Q. Can I make it to the Buffalo River from the trail?
A. Yes & No. The Goat Trail does not lead to the river, it dead-ends along the bluff in a juniper grove, but if you go back to the Centerpoint Trail where you spurred off & continue downhill & to the right for about a mile you’ll reach the River on Sneed’s Creek/Old River Trail if you are referencing maps. That does mean it is possible to go up to Big Bluff from the River, but keep in mind that you’ll be climbing that entire elevation change in a short amount of time. This is not something I would recommend without good map-reading skills because several different trails intersect on that portion of the river.
If you have any other questions to add to this list, please leave them in the comments for others to reference!
I hope this offers you a unique photographic log of the experience to be had on the Goat Trail to Big Bluff while also answered some questions you may have. PLEASE utilize the professional, local resources I’ve linked like the Buffalo Outdoor Center & Buffalo National River Park Service. These public lands are ours to enjoy & share, but we must do so responsibly for all of our sakes if you want them to remain for generations to come.
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