Located in the northwest corner of the Ozark Mountains, Poncas is a prime jumping-off point for exploring some of Arkansas’ most beautiful natural attractions, including the Buffalo National River Wilderness and the Boxley Valley. The town itself consists of a handful of outdoor outfitters, a nature center, and the area’s most popular resident: elk.

This small community attracts visitors from all around looking for pristine rugged mountains, wild rivers, waterfalls, and a thriving wildlife population. The untamed Buffalo River that cuts through the region provides opportunities to kayak, canoe, and raft while enjoying the broadleaf oak-hickory forests lining the banks of the water. Hundreds of miles of trails in the region provide spectacular scenes of dense forests, lush valley floors, and dramatic mountain peaks as visitors make their way through the area.

The seasonal variations in weather in Ponca are moderate, with temperatures swinging between hot in the summer to just above freezing in the winter. From May through September, temperatures are pleasantly warm and the river is perfect for swimming, kayaking, and rafting trips. While spring does come with a modest uptick in precipitation, it is still a prime time to look for cabins in Ponca as the crisp temperatures and mild conditions, along with brilliant displays of wildflower blooms, make the area's hiking trails quite enjoyable. The fall season does see temperatures drop while the early tinges of winter begin to show. From October through November, the Ozark Mountains oak forests start their transformation into the array of autumn hues this part of the country is so well known for.

Waterfalls

You can find several waterfalls throughout the surrounding Buffalo National River Wilderness. Standouts include the 200-foot-tall Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, accessible from the Compton Trailhead, and nearby Eden Falls, located in the Eden Valley Trail System. The stunning geography around both the falls, along with the scenic hikes, is ideal for spring and summer recreation but tends to see more subdued water during the dry periods of winter and fall.

Whitaker Point

Whitaker Point, commonly known as Hawksbill Crag, is the endpoint of a three-mile moderately difficult hike that culminates in a scenic vista over the surrounding mountains, valleys, and the Buffalo River. A jutting rock ledge extends over the valley floor creating a natural viewing platform that is particularly noteworthy in the spring and fall. However, the trail is accessible year-round and is always worth checking out.

Elk Education Center

The Arkansas Game & Fish Commission runs the Ponca Elk Education Center, a facility dedicated to teaching visitors about the once extinct elk herds that lived in the area. Once reintroduced in the 1980s, the elk populations grew to over 600 strong today. The center itself is nestled in the densely forested outskirts of Ponca and makes for a fittingly immersive experience while you learn about the area's elk populations, geology, and flora in the native wildflower gardens located on the grounds.