Yes, Arkansas has a Grand Canyon! It’s not like the Grand Canyon out west but it has a commanding view that is captivating. You’ll find it off AR 7 near Jasper.
Deep in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas you will find a deep valley known as the Arkansas Grand Canyon. Here in Arkansas, it’s one of the most popular places to photograph.
Growing up in Arkansas, I didn’t know about the Arkansas Grand Canyon (crazy, huh?). Instead, every summer I would head west with my Grandparents to see the Grand Canyon in Arizona. One time, we even chartered a twin engine plane and flew over it to get a better view! I thought views like that could only be found out West.
The sign at the Arkansas Grand Canyon says, “Buffalo River Canyon – Arkansas. The summit of Mt. Judea in the Boston Range of the Ozarks is 2169 feet above sea level. The Buffalo River flows from west to east 1414 feet below this point making this the deepest canyon in the Ozarks. Missouri is visible 40 miles due North. West to East is 50 miles. Area is 1.3 million acres. An Act of Congress in 1972, preserved the Buffalo River for all time.”
Once I became an adult, I started researching more that Arkansas has to offer. (Here’s a quick plug for my EPIC Arkansas Bucket List that will get you started with 100 AMAZING things to do in this incredible state). That’s when I learned about the Arkansas Grand Canyon.
What’s this? A Grand Canyon in Arkansas?
Yes, it’s true.
Where to Find The Arkansas Grand Canyon
Vance Randolph once said about the Ozarks, “It’s not that the mountains are so high but that the valleys are so deep.” (source) In Arkansas, our highest peak is only 2,753 feet compared to Pikes Peak at 14,114 feet. What makes Arkansas special is the deep, lush valleys.
And that’s exactly what the Arkansas Grand Canyon is, a deep lush valley.
You will find this beautiful scene near Jasper on Hwy AR 7.
Follow this map to the Scenic Point Overlook and be sure to climb up the tower!
Best Place to View the Arkansas Grand Canyon
The best place to pull over and view the canyon is at the Rotary Ann Roadside Park. It has a full 180-degree view of the Ozark Mountains and the Arkansas Grand Canyon.
When you get to the overlook, be sure to climb the tower to get a different view!
However, I noticed that the view at the base of the tower is just as good.
Arkansas Grand Canyon Location
How deep is the Arkansas Grand Canyon?
The Arkansas Grand Canyon (or Buffalo River Canyon) ranges in depth from 3,500 to 6,000 feet.
What river runs through the Arkansas Grand Canyon?
The Little Buffalo River runs through the Grand Canyon in Arkansas. That’s why it’s also called the the Buffalo River Canyon.