There’s A Secret Waterfall In Arkansas Known As Harper's Hidden Cascade, And It’s Worth Seeking Out
By Carol Ann Carson|Published October 23, 2019
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Carol Ann Carson
Author
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.
Arkansas’ Ozark National Forest is prime waterfall country. Singular counties in the area can have over hundreds of waterfalls! One group of waterfalls that get overlooked is in Middle Cow Creek. This valley contains a very underrated fall known as Harper’s Hidden Cascade. It’s not the only waterfall to chase so let’s lace up our hiking boots and start forging our way to this green oasis.
Haw Creek Falls Campground is a beloved spot for Arkansas outdoor lovers, but there's so many more waterfalls hiding nearby.
We recommend keeping young hikers on the Haw Creek Falls trails (which you can read about that 3-for-1 hike right here). The path to Harper's Hidden Cascade is a moderate to difficult bushwhack depending on the season. The hike is considerably easier during a leaf-off season but do know the elevation changes are about 500-ft.
If you follow Rick's Hiking Blog then this will be about the 13th fall along the loop. As we previously mentioned, there's no designated trail to these falls. You can follow Rick's loop to make a 4.6-mile hike or keep an eye on your GPS and forge your own path.
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The creek stays decently wet year-round but the best time to visit is the day or so after a heavy rain.
Be prepared for a wet hike since you'll need to zigzag across the creek at different points. This full-force shot of Harper's Hidden Cascade was taken after about an inch of rain from the day before. It may be soggy but the trek is well worth it for the beauty!
Perhaps the best part of this excursion is how many waterfalls are in the area.
Harper's Hidden Cascade is certainly a gem but there's a whole treasure chest of waterfalls to discover in the area. This particular one is Derek Jr Falls, it's immediately before Harper. The best way to enjoy this area is by backpacking to a couple of falls at a time. There's over 30 waterfalls in this valley as well as other gorgeous formations to explore.
Always do more research before hitting the trails! For more details about navigating this hike as well as other waterfall inspiration, head to Rick’s Hiking Blog. After your hike, we’d love to see your photos in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
Arkansas is obviously the best state for waterfall chasers. Here’s some more elusive falls for the rainy season as well as a waterfall road trip.
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