Where are the elk near Jasper, Arkansas?
The best place to see wild elk in Arkansas is Boxley Valley, a historic farming valley along the upper Buffalo National River near the village of Ponca. Elk were reintroduced to the Buffalo River area in the 1980s, and today the herd is the reason Arkansas Tourism calls Newton County the “Elk Capital of Arkansas.” The open hayfields along Highways 43 and 21 give you the most reliable views, often with elk grazing right below the bluffs.
How far is Boxley Valley from Bearly Earth?
Boxley Valley is about 50 min (32 mi) from the cabin, and the Ponca Nature Center is about 50 min (31 mi). For the best odds, leave before first light and you'll reach the valley at sunrise. You can also go in the late afternoon, watch the evening feed and drive home under the stars.
Best times to see elk
- Dawn and dusk, year-round. Elk move into the open fields to feed in the first and last light of the day.
- September–October rut. Bulls bugle, spar and gather cows, which makes this the most dramatic season to visit. It's also the busiest.
- Winter mornings. With the leaves down, elk are easier to spot against the brown fields and frosty pastures.
- Overcast or cool days. On these days elk sometimes stay out in the fields longer into the morning.
Elk-viewing etiquette
Use the designated roadside pullouts and park completely off the highway. Stay outside the pasture fences, since most of the valley is private farmland, and give the animals plenty of room, especially bulls during the rut. Binoculars or a telephoto lens will get you closer than your feet should. Sightings are never guaranteed, so plan more than one dawn or dusk visit if seeing elk is a priority.
Stop at the Ponca Nature Center
The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's free Ponca Nature Center (formerly the Ponca Elk Education Center) at 4642 AR Highway 43 has elk and Ozark wildlife exhibits, a creekside trail and picnic areas. Staff can tell you where the herd has been showing up lately. It is currently open Wednesday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m., and calling ahead at 501-710-6347 is a good idea before a special trip.
Make a day of it
Watch the elk at sunrise, then hike Lost Valley Trail to Eden Falls. It's about 2.4 miles round trip and the trailhead is minutes away. Grab lunch in Ponca and look down on Roark Bluff from the Steel Creek overlook. In spring, add a float on the upper Buffalo, then stop in Jasper for dinner on the way back to the cabin.
