The Buffalo National River is now closed to recreational use until further notice – including the Buffalo River, trails, open spaces, and campgrounds.

This emergency closure is for the maintenance of public health and safety and is in direct response to guidance from state and federal health officials.

The statement from the park says the health and safety of visitors, employees, volunteers, communities, and partners is their number one priority.

More from the National Park Service (NPS):

The NPS is working service-wide with federal, state, and local authorities to closely monitor the COVID-19 pandemic and will lift the closure as soon as possible.

This determination of closure document describes the details of this choice.

Buffalo National River superintendent Mark Foust said, “It breaks my heart to have to close this incredible public park. It is, however, the right thing to do to protect the people that work here, live here, visit here, and love this place. We all have to do what we can to slow and prevent the spread of the virus in and around the park. We believe this will help. I am thankful to the people of Newton, Searcy, Marion, and Baxter Counties, who everyday share the river with us and support visitors from all over the country and the world. I look forward to the time we can all welcome visitors back to the Buffalo, sharing the river and the experiences we all know to be good for our minds and bodies.”

State highways and county roads that run through Buffalo National River will remain accessible to through or residential traffic.

Roads that enter and terminate within the park, are closed to all but residential traffic.

We will notify the public when we can open the park and will provide updates on our website at www.nps.gov/buff and through social media channels.

The NPS encourages people to visit our website www.nps.gov/buff and take advantage of the many digital tools available to explore Buffalo National River. Updates about NPS operations will be posted on www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

COVID 19: Visitor Guidance

Slowing the spread of novel coronavirus is everyone’s responsibility.

For those at higher risk of serious illness, such as the elderly and people with underlying conditions, please take extra caution.

Following CDC guidance, NPS Public Health Service Officers recommends that everyone should take the following routine precautions:

• Avoid close contact with sick people.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
• As always, it is especially important to clean hands after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after coughing, sneezing or blowing your nose.
  • Wash with soap and water to destroy the virus. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds.
  • While an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains 60%–95% alcohol can be used, it’s best to reserve those resources for work locations where soap and water are not readily available.
  • If your hands are visibly dirty, soap and water should be used rather than hand sanitizer.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. Regular household cleaners will destroy the virus.
• The CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear a facemask to protect themselves from respiratory diseases, including COVID-19.
• Most importantly, stay home when you are sick in order to avoid exposing others.