The Secluded Grays Spring Recreation Area Has Some Of The Most Beautiful Waterfalls In Arkansas
There’s no question that the Ozark National Forest contains all of the most beautiful waterfalls in the entire state. That said, today’s recreation area is one of the most underrated spots for waterfall chasers. Grays Spring Recreation Area is a lovely middle-of-nowhere picnic spot that can lead you to multiple gorgeous falls. Let’s explore the area and highlight a couple of these waterfalls.
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If you prefer quiet seclusion over the more popular parks, the Grays Spring Recreation Area might just be your new favorite getaway.
Even for rec areas, it's one of the more underrated adventure spots. You may have missed this one because of it's more well-known neighbors: White Rock Mountain and the Redding Rec Area.
This peaceful place will lead you to serene scenes deep in the Ozarks.
The rec area features plenty of handy work by the Citizens Conservation Corps as well as a natural spring (naturally). Beyond the picnic tables, the spring flows into the stunning Spirit Creek. The path you'll be following is one of the spurs of the Ozark Highlands Trail.
Spirit Creek Falls is one of the first waterfalls you'll come across.
Spirit Creek Falls is a short but splendid cascade along the creek. It's only about eight feet tall but opens into a wider pool. This waterfall typically stays flowing year-round and can get quite raging after a rain.
After you cross the creek and continue upstream,, you can venture to the Robinson Falls.
Both of the falls are a short trek away from the first cascade on Spirit Creek, along a small drainage. Lower Robinson Falls will be first along this way. Although there's no designated trail, the path here is straightforward and considered an easy bushwhack.
Keep following this stream to see one more waterfall, the Upper Robinson Falls.
You'll be able to see Upper Robinson Falls from the top of the previous waterfall. We're particularly fond of these three falls because of how different they each are. If you don't mind getting a bit damp you can even walk behind the Upper Robinson Falls! The trek to these three falls is under three miles but do be sure to research the trail further before heading out. We recommend this helpful blog and a GPS.
If you've absolutely fallen in love with the area (which you undoubtedly will), you can spend the night nearby.
Grays Spring Rec Area is great for a picnic-packed day trip but for a weekend stay we recommend taking the short drive to Redding Rec Area. This nearby rec area has ample camping and can launch you into a hiking or floating adventure. For directions between the two area, use this map.
This entire section is filled with stunning waterfalls and beautiful trails. Hopefully a stay at Grays Spring will inspire even more trips to this gorgeous area.
Have you explored this area before? What’s your favorite waterfall around here? Share your trip with us in the comments below!
Some of these captures came from the members of our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured (like Tim Reed today) and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
Arkansas native, Carol Ann Carson, has written for OnlyInYourState for three years now. She resides in Western Arkansas' Mountain Frontier but calls NWA home as well. The graduate of University of Arkansas - Fort Smith, Carol Ann earned her B.A. in English and will soon be pursing her M.A. in Library Science. She loves exploring the trails around the Buffalo National River and has yet to find a waterfall that wasn't her favorite.
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