General OS Activities

We complete the other half of the Richland area of the Ozark Highlands Trail and hike from Stack Rock along Richland Creek on the Bluffs above it back to the campground. We will carpool from Morgan McDonald’s at 7:30am or be at Richland Campground by 10. We will carpool up to Stack Rock from Richland Creek campground. Bring a lunch and snacks, water shoes may be needed.

13^th Annual Highlands’ Buffalo River Classic & Ozark Society General Meeting at Ozark Campground, Buffalo National River on 4/12/25!

 
Hike     Cookout      Float       Camp    

The Ozark Society Spring General Membership meeting is being hosted this year by the Buffalo River Chapter and is being combined with the Highlands Chapter’s Annual Buffalo River Classic.  This should be a wonderful, fun event with all your Ozark Society friends.  Hope to see you there!!

Date:  April 12, 2025

Place:  Ozark Campground on the Buffalo National River

Directions to Ozark Campground

• Coming from the South:  From Jasper AR, follow AR Hwy 7 north 4 miles until you see a NPS brown sign with “Ozark” on it.  Turn left (west) and follow the gravel road for 1.5 miles to the Ozark Campground.
• Coming from the North:  From Harrison AR, follow AR Hwy 7 south 15 miles (or, 1.7 mi past the BR Bridge at Pruitt) until you see a NPS brown sign with “Ozark” on it.  Turn right (west) and follow the gravel road for 1.5 miles to the Ozark Campground.
• Google Map to Ozark Campground:  Click on “Location” below.

There are a number of cabin or motel rentals in the area.  Jasper AR (6 mi south), Harrison AR (16 mi north), or Ponca AR (20 mi west).

The Ozark Campground has 31 campsites available on a first come, first served basis. $20 per night. Each site has a picnic table, fire ring, and lantern hook.  RVs allowed, but the campground has no hookups and no dump station.  Check-In: 1:00 pm  Check-Out: 12:00 pm   Quiet hours are from 10:00 pm – 6:00 am.   Hammocks are prohibited from developed campgrounds and cannot be tied to trees. Self-standing hammocks are allowed.    Small critters visit our campgrounds so please keep your food and garbage in a proper garbage receptacle, vehicle, or hanging far out of reach.

We are asking for volunteers for the following activities. See list below for contact info:

Grill cooks:  You will be cooking hamburgers and hot dogs on grills at the pavilion.

Dinner Set-up:  Need to be available at 3:00 p.m. to unload, set the tables and organize the potluck contributions.

Clean-up after dinner:  including getting rid of the trash into the dumpster, wiping and folding the tablecloths, load truck, etc.

Float on the Buffalo River:

Contact:  Don Bridges: gofigure243@hotmail.com to sign up for the float trip.

All participants in the hikes and the float are required to sign a “liability release” at the trailhead or float launch site.

Hike Options:

Contact Kris McMillen krismcmillen7@gmail.com or text to 501-984-3774 to sign up for a hike and indicate which hike you want to join (#1, #2, or #3). We’re just trying to get an idea of how many on each hike.

Hike Leaders:  Kris McMillen, Judi Nail, Sue Mabry

Meeting Place and Time: the Ozark Campground pavilion in the Buffalo National River Park at 9:45 a.m.  THE HIKES WILL BEGIN AT 10:00 A.M.

• Buffalo River Trail from Ozark Campground to Pruitt Trailhead-out and back—5.2 miles Round Trip—moderate to difficult
• Buffalo River Trail from Ozark Campground to Cedar Glade Picnic Area-out and back—3.4 miles Round Trip—moderate
• Buffalo River Trail from Cedar Glade Picnic Area to Adair Cemetery-out and back—5.4 miles Round Trip—moderate to difficult

For all hikes please bring lunch, water, snacks, hiking boots/shoes, proper clothing for the temps/conditions.  Bring your own first aid supplies, bug spray, sunscreen or whatever you need for the day.  No pets are allowed on the Buffalo River Trail. Children under 12 years are discouraged and must be accompanied by a guardian.  All participants in the hikes and the float are required to sign a “liability release” at the trailhead or float launch site.

Cookout and Potluck:

Contact Chris Kline (picnic/event coordinator): 479-409-0394 or ckline901@gmail.com to sign up for the evening meal.  Please state vegetarian option (veggie burger) if applicable and/or if you need gluten-free bun.

We will need a head count to purchase the food. 

Meeting Place and Time:  Ozark Campground Pavilion at 4:00 p.m.

Everyone is welcome to join in the cookout whether or not you participate in the hikes or the float trip.

Hamburgers, Veggie burgers and hot dogs provided by the Ozark Society and the two Chapters.  Please bring a potluck side dish—whatever you would like to contribute.  For example:  potato salad, beans, chips, dips, salads, desserts, fruit or whatever you like.

BRING YOUR OWN FLATWARE, PLATE, BOWL & CUP.  Let’s keep it green!  Seating may be limited at the picnic tables; please bring a chair.

Please sign up for all events by April 9, 2025.

Contact  Information:

Tom Perry, OSHC Chair, 479-841-2414 or tomperry106@yahoo.com

Kris McMillen, OSBRC Chair (co-coordinator for hikes) 501-984-3774

krismcmillen7@gmail.com

Judi Nail, (co-coordinator for hikes): 870-421-6824 or jnail1113@gmail.com

Peggy Bulla, OSHC Vice-Chair, 479-586-2493 or sunnypegs@aol.com

Don Bridges (float coordinator): gofigure243@hotmail.com

Chris Kline (picnic/event coordinator): 479-409-0394 or ckline901@gmail.com

Come see Arkansas’ first wilderness as we head over to the Cossatot area and hike the eastern area of Caney Creek Wilderness. The trail will follow Caney Creek down to our lunch spot at Katy Falls. From there we will take the Buckeye Trail to get back to our cars. Meet at the Chik-fil-A by Bass Pro at 7:15am. Bring a lunch and water and good boots

The Ozark Society will host a five night, six day Buffalo River float trip from June 2 – 7. 2025.  Depending on water level the trip will put in at Carver and take out at Dillards Ferry, or put in at Grinders Ferry and take out at Riley’s on the White River.  A decision as to the launch location (Carver or Grinders Ferry) will be made a few days ahead of the trip and will be communicated to trip participants via text.

We will meet at 10:30 a.m. on June 2, unload and pack for the trip, start running the shuttle about noon, and return to the put in and launch.  We will spend the nights of June 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 on the river.  We will take out on June 7.

Wild Bill’s Outfitter will help us run shuttle.  Each car to be shuttled will be driven to the take out point by its owner.  Wild Bill will shuttle the drivers back to the put in.  The cost of the shuttle is $50 per car, which cost is to be paid by the driver, directly to Wild Bill, and is to be reserved by calling Wild Bill at 870-449-6309.  The cost of the shuttle is not included in the trip cost.

The cost of the trip is $175 per person.  The trip includes all meals from supper on June 2 to lunch on June 7.  Trip community gear to be provided for each group includes a full kitchen and clean up, large tarp, handwash, groover, toilet paper, shovel, hand sanitizer, tables, grill, charcoal, water container, food coolers, food containers, and water filter.  Trip participants will be responsible for both helping with group chores and carrying some group gear in their boats.  Trip participants are responsible for all personal gear, stored in waterproof bags or containers, and for carrying their personal gear in their boats.  Trip participants will provide their own boats, paddles, PFDs, drinking cups, water bottles, and any special medical needs.  Trip participants will be responsible for their own safety as river sports involves inherent risks.  Participant will be required to sign a liability release at the put-in. Bring fishing gear, if you want.  Rented canoes are available from Wild Bill’s, who can be reached at 870-449-6309.  Rental canoes are $251.37, for the trip.  There are a limited number of canoes available for loan.  Contact Stewart Noland for more information on loaner boats.

Please mail your check for $175 per person to Ozark Society, P.O. Box 166, Fayetteville, AR  72702-0166.  Please email the name, address, and cell phone number of all trip registrants to Stewart Noland at stewartnoland51@aol.com.  Please address any questions to this same email address or text or call Stewart Noland at 501-831-9908.

The Ozark Society has had many memorable Buffalo River float trips in the past, and I am confident that this one will be enjoyable as well.