Centerpoint to Goat Trail

Ponca, AR - Approx. 6 Miles - Moderate Out & Back

Thomas and I spent our one year wedding anniversary camping at Steele Creek. This is my absolute favorite place to tent camp and the weather was perfect. However, the water levels were incredibly low in early October. We were able to walk across the Buffalo River near the campground without getting a drop of water on us.

Hiking to the Goat Trial has been a bucket list item for me, but heights are not a joyful thing for either of us. We usually stick to waterfall hunting. The lack of water created the perfect excuse to go ahead and knock this hike out.

There is a designated parking area for Centerpoint Trailhead. We were there on a Monday morning and the lot was full, so I do recommend arriving early if you want decent parking. The first two miles of the hike is along the Centerpoint Trail, which is horse friendly, so look out for poo :). There are a couple of places that are rocky and steep, but overall, the trail is very easy to follow.

The "Goat Trail" branches off to the right from Centerpoint Trail around mile two. Shortly after, you will approach the big bluff that overlooks the bend in the Buffalo River. The views here are arguably the best in the state of Arkansas.

Going into this hike, I was a little concerned that nerves would get the best of us and we would not be able to actually get close to the bluff. However, we stayed away from the edge and did just fine. On the way out, I nearly stepped on a baby snake. Believe it or not, we do not see a lot of snakes when we are hiking. Overall, we loved the view and I am excited to be able to mark this hike off of my list.

November 22nd, 2022

*I left my tracker on when we got back to the truck, so I do not have super accurate statistics.*

Name: Centerpoint to Goat Trail

Distance: 6 Miles Total

Difficulty: Moderate

Type: Out & Back

Not Dog Friendly

Disclaimer: In the event that you choose to pursue any adventure described on this website, please proceed with extreme caution. All opinions are subjective and will vary from person to person based upon experience and skill. Additional research should be completed before attempting any of the hikes portrayed in this blog.

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