Buffalo River National Park

Activities: 3 days of canoeing, 1 1/2 day hiking, 1/2 day horseback riding

Route: Moderately easy with options on most days.

Start/Finish: Eureka Springs, AR

Day 1 - Eureka Springs: After our rendezvous, a local historian leads us on a walking tour of this charming Victorian town. Savory creations of Chez Charles will delight the eye and please the palate. Explore the village's quaint shops and retire to the large suites of the Grand Central Hotel, where double spa tubs await us.

Days 2 & 3 - Jasper: Crystal waters reflect enormous red stained bluffs as our canoes dance along with the river's flow. Kingfishers call to us from the treetops while we picnic at the water's edge. We enjoy two nights of comfort and hospitality at the Arkansas House B&B, where we meet Coco, the owner's 600lb black bear!
Rise and shine. On a hike today we explore Pedestal Rocks, a fantasy land of rock towers and sparkling waterfalls.

Days 4 & 5 - Ponca Wilderness: Log cabins of early pioneers beckon our exploration as we canoe a bluff-lined section of the upper canyons. We make our home for the next two nights among the dramatic rock palisades of Horseshoe Canyon Ranch. Elk herds with their young graze in the meadows beside the tallest cliffs in the central United States. Exploring Hemmed in Hollow, we discover a 200 foot sparkling cascade, the highest waterfall between the Appalachians and the Rockies! Delight in the canyons rugged beauty as an afternoon horseback ride takes us to a campfire cookout and music under the stars. An afternoon horseback ride delights us with the canyon's rugged beauty and ends with a cowboy campfire cookout.

Day 6 - Lost Valley State Park: Hike past waterfalls and wildflowers to marvel at natural rock bridges and enjoy a picnic in Lost Valley. A guided tour of Mystic Cave reveals a magical cathedral of snow-white onyx formations. Returning to Eureka Springs, we delight in a farewell dinner in the dining car of an old steam train as our adventure concludes.

Family, couples, singles

Lodging: Historic B&B's and mountain ranch.

Dates: May 14 - 19, October 22 - 27. Family Dates: June 25 - 30.

Family Dates: June 25 - 30.