Buffalo Outdoor Center - Ponca, Arkansas

Nicole M.

Overall very beautiful area and cool cabins. I would say that the cabin 4 we stayed in was not very kid friendly with steep stairs and railings they could not reach as well as a big drop off the deck with large gaps they could fall through easily so we had to try to put chairs and things to block them. I think once they adjusted the railing and deck it would be great. Overall a really fun stay

Nanette1990

We had a wonderful family getaway at the BOC and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a peaceful and scenic escape. We booked a cabin through the Buffalo Outdoor Center, and it was perfect—clean, cozy, and well-equipped. The great room was spacious and perfect for relaxing together, the kitchen had everything we needed, and the beds were very comfortable with soft, clean linens.||The weather couldn’t have been better, and the views were absolutely stunning. Rising early we were off to the BOC, their deli makes the best sandwiches packed ready for your float down the National Buffalo River. The float was peaceful and scenic, towering bluffs, and plenty of spots to stop and enjoy the surroundings. It’s a must-do if you’re in the area!||After a day on the river, it was so nice to return to the Riverwind Lodge, cook a good meal, and relax on the porch or sit at under the gazebo in Adirondack chairs with a perfect fire pit.Such a beautiful setting made it even more special.||This trip gave us a perfect mix of outdoor adventure and cozy comfort. We’re already looking forward to our next visit to the Buffalo outdoor Center River!

Steven C.

We floated and zip lined over Easter weekend. We were able to book both through BOC which made it easy! Every aspect of your trip was top notch. The float was great and everything was taken care of where we just had to show up and enjoy. The Zip Line is something we highly recommend. Weather came in and they worked with us to make sure we were able to do it once the weather cleared. The experience was great and our guides were a huge part of it. Andrew, Chris, and Brecken (i hope I spelled that right, lol) were great! We will definitely be back! Thanks again for a great time!!!

Holly S.

We used BOC to rent kayaks and their staff is always super helpful and friendly! It’s always easy to reserve our kayaks to float the buffalo river, and they explain the routes and shuttle our car for us. They also have a great selection of snacks, clothes, and anything you may need for your outdoor adventures! The staff is also very attentive and will answer any questions or concerns you may have. Special shoutout to Mary-Catherine who helped us this past year and was a delight to chat with! Highly recommend this place!

Christy M.

We did the zip line canopy tour. It was fantastic! Our guides, Andrew & Chris, were exceptional! They did a great job of making us feel welcome, safe, & made sure we enjoyed our adventure! The views were spectacular! We highly recommend the ziplines at BOC! Thanks for a great time!

chris R.

I have stayed here at 4 different cabins. They are ideally located, well stocked and wonderful to relax at. Check in and out was easy and staff was quite friendly and kind. Great hiking nearby. Fireplaces are wonderful and amble firewood is supplied!!

Caden T.

Extremely Disappointed – Left Soaking Wet and Waiting for Hours

Our recent experience with Buffalo River Outdoor Center was absolutely unacceptable. After finishing our float trip, my two friends and I were left soaking wet and freezing cold, forced to wait nearly five hours just to get our car. We weren’t the only ones—there were elderly people there who had been waiting even longer. No shelter, no communication, no concern from staff—just pure disregard for basic customer care.

What makes it even worse is that no one ever mentioned to us that the wait might be that long. If they had given us even a basic heads-up, we could have brought dry clothes, food, or at least prepared ourselves. But we were left stranded with zero information.

When we finally spoke with someone about the situation and asked about a refund, all we got was a shrug and a dismissive “we don’t do refunds,” along with the absurd claim that “no one ever complains about this.” Frankly, that’s hard to believe.

This was one of the most frustrating and poorly managed experiences I’ve ever had with an outfitter. It’s completely unacceptable to leave paying customers out in the elements with no support or accountability. We will not be coming back, and I strongly urge others to reconsider before booking here. There are plenty of other outfitters who actually care about their customers’ safety and time.

Brandon B.

Everyone in the store was incredibly kind and very helpful letting us know where the best drop in point would be for a first time on the Buffalo. Only gave 3 stars because we had a 2.5 hour wait at the takeout point and there was no heads up that our truck was going to be parked on the roadway approximately 200 yards uphill from the parking lot. There were 4 separate families in the same situation.