Boxley Valley Elk

Wild elk graze in the fields along Highway 43 just south of Ponca, and you can watch them from the road. When to go, where to look, how to park without blocking traffic, and why to keep your distance.

By David Scott Last verified November 10, 2026 Sources
A herd of cow elk grazing behind a wire fence next to Highway 43 in Boxley Valley in early spring
Cow elk next to Highway 43 in early spring.
Where
Highways 43 and 21, south of Ponca
Best season
October and November
Best time of day
Early morning and evening
Cost
Free
Herd
Nearly 500 elk

The short version

Boxley Valley is the stretch of farm fields along Highways 43 and 21 just south of Ponca, inside Buffalo National River. A herd of wild elk lives there, and on most mornings and evenings you can watch them graze from the side of the road. It's free, it's easy with kids, and it's one of the best wildlife stops in the Ozarks.

Elk disappeared from Arkansas in the 1800s. Between 1981 and 1985 the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission released 112 Rocky Mountain elk near the Buffalo River, and the herd is now close to 500.

A herd of elk resting in the grass under big trees at the edge of a Boxley Valley field on an autumn afternoon
Bulls and cows resting at the edge of a field on an autumn afternoon.

When to go

Season What to expect
October and November The rut. Bulls with big antlers are easiest to see, and the elk spend the most time in the open fields. It's also the busiest time for people.
Winter Bulls still have antlers until about early March. On a cold day the elk can be out any time.
Spring Cows graze in the green fields, sometimes right by the road. The bulls have dropped their antlers.
Summer The elk rest in the shade near the river during the day. Go at dawn or dusk.

Any time of year, your best odds are early in the morning and the last hour or two before dark.

Where to look

Drive south from Ponca on Highway 43. The open fields on both sides of the road through Boxley Valley are where the elk usually are, and they continue along Highway 21 south of where the two highways meet. The National Park Service puts the main viewing stretch at about six miles.

Watching safely with kids

A line of people standing on the shoulder of Highway 43 watching elk graze in a field on a fall evening
A fall evening. When the elk are out, people line the shoulder to watch.

What we've seen: When the elk are near the road, cars stop and people pile out to watch. Be careful. Pull completely off the road and don't block traffic, since not every driver is watching for elk, or for people. Sometimes the elk are trying to cross the highway. Give them room. They're big, wild animals and they can be aggressive, so keep your distance and keep kids close.

The Park Service's guidance comes down to a few rules:

  • Pull completely off the road so traffic keeps moving.
  • If you get out of the car, watch for traffic.
  • Don't approach the elk. If an elk changes what it's doing because of you, you're too close.
  • Elk calls and spotlights aren't allowed in the park.

Binoculars make a big difference for kids, especially when the herd is at the far side of a field.

The Ponca Nature Center

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission's center in Ponca, at 4642 Highway 43, has elk mounts and other wildlife exhibits, and the staff can tell you where the elk have been showing up. Admission is free. It's open 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and closed Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's. Call 501-710-6347.

More in the valley

A weathered barn with a rusty red roof behind a split-rail fence in Boxley Valley, with fall color on the hills
An old barn in Boxley Valley in the fall.

Boxley Valley is also a historic farming valley, and its old barns, the Boxley mill and the white Walnut Grove Church make the drive worth it even on a day the elk stay in the woods.

The white wooden Walnut Grove Church in Boxley Valley in the snow, with a wreath on the door
Walnut Grove Church in Boxley Valley after a snow.

If you're staying a few days, see our things to do near the Buffalo River and where to stay.

Questions

When is the best time to see elk in Boxley Valley?

October and November, during the rut, when the bulls have big antlers and the elk are out in the fields the most. Any time of year, early morning and evening are best. In summer the elk rest in the shade during the day.

Where exactly do you see the elk?

In the fields along about six miles of Highway 43 and Highway 21 through Boxley Valley, just south of Ponca.

Is it free to see the elk?

Yes. The elk are wild and the valley is part of Buffalo National River. There's no fee to drive through or stop and watch.

How close can you get to the elk?

Don't approach them. The National Park Service's rule of thumb: if an elk changes what it's doing because of you, you're too close. Elk can weigh up to 800 pounds and can be aggressive, especially bulls in the fall.

When do the bulls lose their antlers?

By early March. Fall and winter are the best seasons to see bulls with antlers.

Sources

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