Joseph’s guidebook
Swimming Holes
Located behind the last camping spots in the campground is a great swimming hole. Follow the trail through the trees to the open gravel bar with lots of room for people to spread out and enjoy the water.
30 locals recommend
Steel Creek Campground
Buffalo River TrailLocated behind the last camping spots in the campground is a great swimming hole. Follow the trail through the trees to the open gravel bar with lots of room for people to spread out and enjoy the water.
Ponca Low-Water Bridge
My favorite nearby hikes
This easy hike is 1 mile each way and there is a beautiful waterfall and overlook at the end to enjoy. You can also cross the waterfall and crawl across the bluff line to access below the waterfall. It is a fun area to explore as well.
10 locals recommend
Hideout Hollow Trailhead
Erbie RoadThis easy hike is 1 mile each way and there is a beautiful waterfall and overlook at the end to enjoy. You can also cross the waterfall and crawl across the bluff line to access below the waterfall. It is a fun area to explore as well.
Easy hike that is very popular. Expect other people but it is worth the crowds. Multiple areas to explore. There is a cave with a waterfall inside at the end of the trail. It is worth crawling back to enjoy it if you are up for the challenge!!
56 locals recommend
Lost Valley Trailhead
Lost Valley RoadEasy hike that is very popular. Expect other people but it is worth the crowds. Multiple areas to explore. There is a cave with a waterfall inside at the end of the trail. It is worth crawling back to enjoy it if you are up for the challenge!!
Difficult hike that is worth the views! 6 miles roundtrip. Strenuous Not recommended for someone who is afraid of heights. Trail gets very narrow at overlook.
12 locals recommend
Centerpoint Trailhead
Difficult hike that is worth the views! 6 miles roundtrip. Strenuous Not recommended for someone who is afraid of heights. Trail gets very narrow at overlook.
Most photographed place in the Ozarks for a reason.
59 locals recommend
Hawk's Bill Crag/Whitaker Point
County Road 406Most photographed place in the Ozarks for a reason.
ATV, SXS, Dirt Bike riding
This private property playground has miles of trails for you to enjoy on your favorite motorized toy. There is also a LOT of waterfalls and beautiful views to go find!
10 locals recommend
Wilderness Rider Buffalo Ranch & Adventure Park
This private property playground has miles of trails for you to enjoy on your favorite motorized toy. There is also a LOT of waterfalls and beautiful views to go find!
Mtn biking nearby
Great man bike trail that has blue and black diamond trails. Take the trek from Fire Tower Rd down into Ponca and end at BOC. BOC offers Shuttles, but you should call to check availability.
BOC Ponca Downhill Trailhead
Great man bike trail that has blue and black diamond trails. Take the trek from Fire Tower Rd down into Ponca and end at BOC. BOC offers Shuttles, but you should call to check availability.
Rock Climbing
Private property with endless sport, trad, and bouldering. They also have guides if you have always wanted to learn how to rock climb.
12 locals recommend
Horseshoe Canyon Ranch
261Private property with endless sport, trad, and bouldering. They also have guides if you have always wanted to learn how to rock climb.
Tall limestone routes with the best views around!! Some are even Multipitch!! 70 m rope recommended. Look on Mtn project for route info.
Knot your ends!
30 locals recommend
Steel Creek Campground
Buffalo River TrailTall limestone routes with the best views around!! Some are even Multipitch!! 70 m rope recommended. Look on Mtn project for route info.
Knot your ends!
Lots of routes in multiple disciplines. Trad climbing, Sport climbing, and bouldering. Multiple satellite crags in the Sams region.
Sam's Throne Campground
Lots of routes in multiple disciplines. Trad climbing, Sport climbing, and bouldering. Multiple satellite crags in the Sams region.