Get acquainted with the hypnotizing natural phenomenon of waterfalls in Arkansas
graciously provided by Mother Nature herself. Some of the most striking Arkansas waterfalls can be found in the Ozark Mountains and Ouachita
Mountain ranges, which cover approximately two-thirds of The Natural State.
Visit our Interactive Fun section for free waterfall screensavers to
download, free electronic post cards and
free waterfalls wallpaper. There are at least a half dozen Arkansas waterfalls to
choose from - including a moving waterfalls photo.
A word of caution: some of these living waterfalls are located in fairly remote areas of Arkansas. The trailhead may be difficult to
reach and physical stamina may be required. We've done our best to classify the falls as to their ease of accessibility.
OUACHITA MOUNTAINS (west-central Arkansas)
Photo Facts
Little Missouri Falls, Ouachita National Forest
Little Missouri Falls - Relatively small but scenic cascading waterfalls on the Little Missouri River. From Hot Springs, go west on U.S.
70 to Glenwood, then continue on to Salem. At Salem, turn right (west) on Ark. 84 to Langley. At Langley,
head north on Ark. 369 where you'll find signs directing you to the falls. Several miles of gravel roads are required to reach the area but
the walk to the falls is easy. Located in the Ouachita National Forest near
Albert Pike campground.
Cedar Falls- The best-known natural waterfall in the state, Cedar Falls is the focal point of Petit
Jean State Park atop Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton.
This 95-foot gusher spills into
Cedar Creek and can be accessed via the Cedar Falls Trail, which winds through Cedar Creek Canyon to the "splash down." The trip is
2-1/4 miles round trip and is classified as moderate-to-strenuous. The park is located on Ark. 154 southwest of Morrilton.
Cossatot River State Park Natural Area - Cossatot Falls is a series
of smaller water falls on the rugged, upturned rocks of the Cossatot River. The park extends from the
Ouachita National Forest near the Ark. 246 bridge on the north to the U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers property on Gillham Lake, south of Ark. 4. The falls can be reached via Weyerhaeuser
Road 52200 which runs between Ark. 4 and Ark. 246 on the east side of the river. From Road 52200, turn west on 52600, which leads to
Cossatot Falls. During peak flow time, these falls are floatable, but only by the most experienced canoeists or kayakers.
The trip to reach these impressive falls is considered to be moderate to strenuous.
Photo Facts
Cedar Falls at Petit Jean State Park, Morrilton
The Falls at Lake Catherine State Park - These wide, beautiful waterfalls drop about
10 feet and into a blue pool in a scenic, wooded setting not far from the lake. From I-30, take exit 97 near
Malvern and go north 12 miles on Ark. 171. This road will dead end at
Lake Catherine State Park. Follow the park signs to the Falls
Branch Trail. This trail begins near the campground, winds through the wooded area of the park, and crosses Little Canyon Creek in
several places. The waterfall is located approximately 1/4-mile from the trailhead - when hiking clockwise around the loop. This
two-mile trail is considered to be easy to moderate in difficulty.
OZARK MOUNTAINS (northwest and north-central Arkansas)
Haw Creek Falls - These are wide, shallow falls that drop about five feet from a rock ledge very near the picturesque
Haw Creek Falls campgrounds in the Ozark National Forest. From
Scenic 7 Byway, turn west at Pelsor, which is located 35 to 40 miles
north of Russellville, on Ark. 123. The falls will be found adjacent to a small U.S. Forest Service campground of the same name,
just a little beyond the Big Piney Creek Bridge. The campground is located 14 miles north of Hagarville on Ark. 123, or 12 miles west of
Pelsor on Ark. 123, and is marked with a sign. Access to this living waterfall is considered very easy.
Eden Falls - Falls that drop from tall, moss-lined rocks and boulders in a narrow canyon in the Buffalo National River Park. From Ark.
43 between Boxley and Ponca, turn onto the road to
Lost Valley, a unit of the
Buffalo National River. Park at the end of the road and follow the
signed trail to the bluff shelter. Eden Falls will be found at the far end of the massive overhang. Considered to be a moderate hike
to the falls.
Falling Water Falls - Oftentimes these natural waterfalls are not more than a small stream that pours over a wide ledge and drops about 10 feet into a
pool below. After heavy rains, though, the water gushes over much of the rock overhang, located in a beautiful, wooded spot. At the
junction of Scenic 7 Byway and Ark. 16 at Pelsor, turn east on Ark. 16 to Ben Hur,
then go south about 1.5-miles until you reach Forest Service Road 1205. Turn east on this road and remain on it for approximately 3 to
4 miles. You'll be following Falling Water Creek and will come upon the falls to your right. They are easily visible from your
vehicle. If you continue on this road another 6-8 miles, you'll come to Richland Creek Campground, a trailhead for trips back to Richland Falls and Twin Falls.
Richland Falls/Twin Falls - Two of the state's most beautiful waterfalls are in one spot - where Devil's Fork Creek meets
Richland Creek in the Ozark National Forest. From I-40 at
Russellville, you'll go north for 36 miles on Scenic 7 Byway to
Pelsor. Turn east on Ark. 16 and drive approximately 10 miles to Forest Service Rd. 1205. Turn north and go about
eight miles to Richland Creek Campground. You'll park at the lower
campground and head west on foot, immediately crossing Falling Water Creek. Hike the Richland Creek Trail for about two miles to
the confluence of Devil's Fork Creek. Richland Falls is another 1/4-mile up Richland Creek.
These are
some the most difficult to reach waterfalls in Arkansas. It is considered a difficult trek, and the trail is very poorly marked.
Hemmed-In Hollow Falls - For a view of this spectacular piece of nature, which is the highest waterfall in Mid-America, ask one of the local outfitters at Ponca for directions.
Located in the Buffalo National River Park, you'll have to hike in anywhere from 3.5 to 5
miles (one way), depending on your choice of trailhead. This is also considered a complicated area to access.