Editor’s Corner: The Natural State Waterfalls

Arkansas is such a beautiful state with so many great natural wonders. As you know, I love to travel and have visited many places throughout the world, but I truly love my home state. I have swam in the Caribbean and hiked through Europe, but I have never found a place that I love as much as my own little piece of paradise at Saddler Falls on the Spring River. It just doesn’t get any better than that! So this week I decided to share a story with you from the Arkansas Parks and Tourism titled “Waterfalls.” Who knew that there were so many great falls right here in the Natural State? Save your money - visit Arkansas. And if you float the Spring River. Watch out for me.

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Waterfalls: Arkansas wouldn’t be the Natural State without them. Since two large mountain ranges cover just about two-thirds of the state, the opportunities are ample to view these awesome natural beauties. Here are some of the more striking waterfalls in Arkansas and directions on how to get to them. A word of caution: some of these are in fairly remote areas so they can be difficult to reach. We’ve done our best to classify them as to their ease of accessibility.

Little Missouri Falls- 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.

Cedar Falls- The best known waterfall in the state, Cedar Falls is the focal point of Petit Jean State Park 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 two and a quarter miles round trip and is classified as moderate-to-strenuous. The park is located on Ark. 154 southwest of morrilton.

Cossatot Falls River State Park Natural Area- The park extends from the Ouachita National Forest, near the Ark. 246 bridge on the north, to the Corps of Engineer property on Gillham Lake, south of Ark. four. The falls can be reached via Weyerhaeuser Road 52200 which runs between Highways four and 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 the falls is considered to be moderate to strenuous.

The Falls at Lake Catherine State Park- 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 one quarter mile from the trailhead. This two-mile trail is considered to be easy to moderate in difficulty.

Haw Creek Falls- From Scenic Seven 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 waterfall is considered very easy.

Eden Falls- 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- At the junction of Scenic Seven Byway and Ark. 16 at Pelsor, turn east on Highway 16 to Ben Hur, then go south about one and a half miles until you reach Forest Service Road 1205. Turn east on this road and remain on it for approximately three to four 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 six to eight miles you’ll come to Richland Creek Campground, a trailhead for trips back to Richland Falls and Twin Falls.

Richland Falls/Twin Falls- From I-40 at Russellville, you’ll go north for 36 miles on Scenic seven Byway to Pelsor. Turn east on Ark. 16 and drive approximately 10 miles to Forest Service Road 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, then go straight for one quarter mile. Twin Falls are one quarter mile up Devil’s Fork; Richland Falls in another one quarter mile up Richland Creek (a topographic map is suggested). These are some of the most picturesque waterfalls in the state but also some of the most difficult to reach. It is considered a difficult trek to reach them.

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. You’ll have to hike in anywhere from three and a half to five miles one way, depending on your choice of trailhead. Or if water conditions are right and you’re an experienced floater, you can canoe to within a mile or so of the falls. This is also considered a complicated area to access.

Sandra Brand is the editor of the NEA Town Courier and The Osceola Times. She may be reached by phone at 870-763-4461 or 870-563-2615 or by email at brand@osceolatimes.com.