Natural Resources
Buffalo River Ranch Resort: A Trail Rider's Treasure
by Lisa Broadwater

The first time I spotted the Buffalo River Ranch Resort, I did a doubletake: What's a gorgeous indoor arena like that doing way out here? After all, this particular stretch of Highway 74, between Jasper and Ponca, isn't exactly a booming metropolis.
Turns out, that's why the facility is here.
Owner Jim Culver and his family moved to the 150-acre ranch from Oklahoma about five years ago. Culver became smitten with the area during many trail-riding trips with his daughter, which gave him the idea to build the facility.
"I homeschooled my daughter at that time, and we’d come down to Steel Creek and spend a week or so," he recalls. "We liked to do other things here besides trail ride. But if we’d want to canoe or hike or anything like that, we’d have to tie up the horses. And then you worry about them all the time. And if it rained, you were stuck in a tent.
"So I thought a facility like this — where a person could come and spend a vacation and bring their horse and do other things along with trail riding — would be great. And here, if there’s bad weather, you can ride in the arena and work with your horse."
Creating the facility was no overnight process.
"I started building about three years ago," Culver says. "It seems like we’ve been working on it forever. We mainly built it ourselves."
Culver has designed the facility to be well-suited to families or groups, especially trail-riding clubs, of eight or more. It also would be ideal for horse clinics and seminars. (In fact, last fall, Culver hosted his first — a weekend-long Dan Sumerel clinic that benefited the Arkansas Horse Council.)
The spacious 130-by-60-foot covered arena has stalls on either side (a total of 19), plus a large tack room, horse wash and enclosed balcony viewing area overlooking the arena. Dorm facilities include 19 sleeping arrangements, with separate rooms (stocked with bunk beds) for men and women; each has its own restroom/shower facility. There's also a kitchenette/lounge area for socializing; and Culver is currently adding a cooking facility with tables nearby.
But perhaps the biggest draw here is the resort's proximity to both the Buffalo National River and Indian Creek — as well as other scenic spots for the more adventurous rider.
"We adjoin the park," Culver explains, "and there’s a road that goes all the way to the Buffalo, so we’re able to trail ride down to the river. Halfway down, it opens up to other trails too. From there you can go clear down to the White River, theoretically. And you can ride up to Steel Creek. It’s an all-day ride from here to Steel Creek and back. The ride to Steel Creek takes in the old Granny Henderson place, and you go by Hemmed-in Hollow trail. And there are three or four more homesteads up there, too."
"It’s always enjoyable to ride by the river," he adds. "At different times of the year, you see different things. So no matter when you go, it’s beautiful."
For folks who also like to hike, the ranch is a prime locale: Indian Creek Trail starts here.
"That's one of the prettiest hiking trails on the whole river," Culver says. "It’s not an easy hike, though, and it’s a good day’s trip. But if an old man like me can get down it, anybody can," he adds with a laugh.
Culver also owns about 50 acres near the Buffalo's Pruitt Landing access point, which joins the park. From the ranch, it's about a day's ride.
"Eventually, I’d like to be able to trail ride over there and spend the night," he says. "The scenery on this end of the river is unreal; it’s the best there is. So you’d spend the night over there and then maybe take a different trail back, part of the way."
Sounds good to me.
The Buffalo River Ranch Resort is located 12 miles west of Jasper on Highway 74. Hay and feed are available. For more information visit www.buffaloriverranch.com