Sommer House Inn
    Hawksbill Crag near Jasper, Arkansas at sunrise

    Area Guide

    Things to do in Jasper, Arkansas.

    A local guide to the Buffalo National River, Hawksbill Crag, the Arkansas Grand Canyon and the small Ozark town at the center of it all — from the innkeepers at Sommer House.

    Plan Your StaySee the Inn

    The Setting

    Jasper, Arkansas sits in the deepest part of the Ozarks, ringed by three of the state's wildest places: the Buffalo National River, the Arkansas Grand Canyon and the Ozark National Forest. From the inn you can be on a bluff at Hawksbill Crag in 25 minutes, on the river at Steel Creek in 30, and back in town for dinner.

    The town itself is small — a courthouse square, a handful of cafés, antique shops, souvenir shops, a coffee shop and a general store. Most of what you'll come for is just outside it.

    The Headliners

    Three things you shouldn't leave Jasper without seeing.

    If you only have a weekend, do these. Each is within 25 miles of Sommer House Inn.

    Plan Your Buffalo River Day

    Buffalo River Field Guide is the most complete resource for the Buffalo National River — live float conditions, 85 waterfall pages, hiking trails, and free trip planning tools. Our guests use it to plan every detail before they arrive.

    Open Buffalo River Field Guide →
    Buffalo National River near Jasper, Arkansas
    9 min to Pruitt · 22 min to Ponca

    River

    Buffalo National River

    America's first national river. Float, swim and drift between 500-foot bluffs. Float season runs roughly March through June, rainfall dependent.

    Read more about floating →

    Don't miss the chance to float the Buffalo National River — towering bluffs, crystal-clear water, and incredible views the entire way.

    Floating the upper section is rainfall dependent, with the typical season running March through June. Launch sites may vary based on current water levels.

    Sommer House Inn is just 22 minutes (14 miles) from Ponca and only 9 minutes (6 miles) from the Pruitt launch sites.

    Live water levels

    USGS

    Upper Buffalo

    near Boxley / Ponca

    29

    cfs

    1.80

    ft

    Too low

    Middle Buffalo

    at Pruitt

    64

    cfs

    3.41

    ft

    Low

    Hawksbill Crag (Whitaker Point) near Jasper, Arkansas
    25 min drive from Jasper

    Hike · Iconic view

    Hawksbill Crag (Whitaker Point)

    3.0 mi out & back · Moderate

    The most photographed bluff in Arkansas. A jutting fin of rock over the Upper Buffalo Wilderness — best at sunrise, magic in fall.

    Full guide & conditions →
    Triple Falls (Twin Falls) near Jasper, Arkansas
    19 min drive from Jasper

    Waterfall

    Triple Falls (Twin Falls)

    0.5 mi · Easy

    Three cascades pour into a single emerald pool inside Camp Orr. A short, almost-flat walk in — one of the most photogenic waterfalls in the Ozarks.

    Full guide & conditions →

    Keep Exploring

    Looking for more hiking trails, waterfalls, scenic overlooks, elk viewing spots, and local recommendations? Visit Buffalo River Field Guide for detailed maps, trip guides, and outdoor adventures around Jasper and the Buffalo National River.

    More Trails & Overlooks

    Eight more nearby — from a five-minute roadside overlook to the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and Appalachians.

    Lost Valley Trail

    30 min drive

    2.3 mi out & back · Easy

    A gentle creek-side walk past natural bridges, ferns and Eden Falls — Arkansas' most beloved short hike. Family friendly.

    Full guide & conditions →

    Hemmed-in Hollow Falls

    45 min drive

    5.0 mi out & back · Hard

    The tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians — a 209-foot ribbon plunging into a stone amphitheater.

    Full guide & conditions →

    Glory Hole Falls

    40 min drive

    1.9 mi out & back · Moderate

    A hidden waterfall that pours through a perfect circular hole in the bluff ceiling — unlike anything else in the Ozarks.

    Full guide & conditions →

    Goat Trail to Big Bluff

    30 min drive

    5.8 mi out & back · Moderate

    A legendary narrow shelf trail cut into a 550-foot bluff face — one of the most spectacular views in the Ozarks. Not for vertigo.

    View on AllTrails →

    Steel Creek Overlook

    25 min drive

    0.4 mi · Moderate

    A short walk to one of the most dramatic river overlooks on the Buffalo — towering bluffs rising straight from the water.

    View on AllTrails →

    Sam's Throne

    37 min drive

    1.5 mi out & back · Moderate

    A short climb to a massive rock outcrop with sweeping valley views — a favorite among climbers and sunset seekers.

    View on AllTrails →

    Round Top Mountain Trail

    5 min drive

    2.4 mi loop · Moderate

    A short climb just outside Jasper, rewarded with sweeping ridge-top views over the Little Buffalo valley.

    View on AllTrails →

    Arkansas Grand Canyon Lookout

    10 min drive

    Roadside overlook

    The famous Cliff House Inn pull-off on Scenic Highway 7 — the deepest gorge between the Rockies and the Appalachians.

    In & Around Town

    Jasper itself, and the drives just beyond it.

    Jasper Square

    The walkable downtown — a few blocks of antique shops, a general store, the historic Newton County courthouse and a handful of locally-owned cafés. Half a mile from the inn.

    Boxley Valley elk herd

    A free-roaming herd of 400+ elk grazes the Boxley Valley pastures along Hwy 43. Best at dawn and dusk, especially in the September–October rut. About 25 minutes from Jasper.

    Scenic Highway 7

    One of America's most scenic drives runs right through Jasper. Pull off at the Cliff House for the Arkansas Grand Canyon view, continue south to Rotary Ann Overlook.

    Ozark Café

    A Jasper landmark since 1909 right on the square. Comfort food, milkshakes, fried pies. The walls tell most of the town's history.

    When to Come

    Jasper, season by season.

    Spring (Mar–May)

    Peak waterfall season and prime float season on the Buffalo. Wildflowers carpet the bluffs. Dogwoods and redbuds bloom mid-April. Cool mornings, warm afternoons.

    Summer (Jun–Aug)

    Warm river swimming, long evenings, lightning bugs in the meadow. Lower-elevation hikes early; save bluff climbs for sunset. Floats shorter — Pruitt to Hasty stays runnable.

    Fall (Sep–Nov)

    The single best time to visit Jasper. Peak color usually late October to first week of November. Elk rut in Boxley. Cool, dry, and the bluffs glow gold.

    Winter (Dec–Feb)

    Quiet, crisp and uncrowded. Bare trees mean better long-distance views from Hawksbill and Big Bluff. Ice forms at Glory Hole on the coldest weeks.

    Frequently Asked

    Planning a trip to Jasper.

    What are the best things to do in Jasper, Arkansas?
    The Buffalo National River, Hawksbill Crag (Whitaker Point), Lost Valley Trail, Triple Falls, Hemmed-in Hollow, the Arkansas Grand Canyon overlook on Scenic Highway 7, and the Boxley Valley elk herd are the headliners. Most are within a 30-minute drive of downtown Jasper.
    How far is Hawksbill Crag from Jasper?
    Hawksbill Crag (also called Whitaker Point) is about a 25-minute drive from downtown Jasper. The trail is 3 miles round trip and is best hiked at sunrise.
    When is the best time to float the Buffalo National River?
    The upper Buffalo above Pruitt is rainfall dependent and typically runnable March through June. The lower Buffalo from Pruitt down stays floatable longer into the summer. Always check current river levels before launching.
    Where can I see elk near Jasper?
    The Boxley Valley along Highway 43, about 25 minutes west of Jasper, is home to a free-roaming herd of 400+ elk. Sunrise and sunset are the best viewing times, with peak activity during the September and October rut.
    When does fall color peak in the Buffalo River area?
    Fall color in the Ozarks around Jasper usually peaks from late October into the first week of November, though exact timing varies year to year.

    Stay where the Ozarks begin.

    Sommer House Inn is in downtown Jasper — minutes from every trail on this page.

    Check AvailabilityAbout the Inn