The 4-Hour Road Trip Around Ozark’s Waterfalls Is A Glorious Adventure In Arkansas
There’s more than just a sea of green within Arkansas’ Ozark National Forest. Some of the best waterfalls in the state are hidden between the trees! This Arkansas waterfall road trip highlights numerous bucket list-worthy falls. The drive can last anywhere from four hours to a full weekend, depending on how much exploring you want to do. Let’s jump right in and take a scrolling tour of the Ozark waterfalls in Arkansas. And if you decide to hit the road for this adventure, make sure to use our ultimate road trip packing list so that you have everything you need!
The driving time for this loop is a little over four hours, but you'll want to plan on a longer adventure so you can truly explore the breathtaking beauty of the Ozark waterfalls in Arkansas.
Aside from the stellar waterfalls, what makes this one of the best Arkansas day trips, is its flexibility. Do you want to take the whole family on a pretty drive with a few waterfall pit stops? Can do! Stretch your legs and hike around every location? Sure! Plot out a whole weekend (or longer) and scour the area for every nearby waterfall? Go for it!
Do keep in mind that not every waterfall listed is an easy, family-friendly hike. Research each waterfall further to make sure it's within your party's capabilities. Here's the interactive map of today's waterfall road trip in Arkansas.
This first set of waterfalls may not be the most well known but they make for a relatively easy hike.
Two waterfalls can be found near the Moccasin Gap Recreation Area, and they are Little Oak Falls and Stave Mill Falls. The falls are about a mile apart and easy to navigate. You won't find this spot in AllTrails but you can use this blog post about Stave Mill Falls for helpful parking information and navigation.
Stave Mill Falls, Hagarville, AR 72839, USA
After discovering the falls of Moccasin Gap, we'll head north for a three-for-one hike.
No waterfall hike around the Ozarks would be complete without a stop at Haw Creek Falls. After taking in the wide cascade of Haw Creek, take a hike to Pack Rat Falls and Pam's Grotto. All three falls are showstoppers! For more detailed directions, check out this article on Haw Creek Falls.
Pack Rat Falls, Hagarville, AR 72839, USA
The next stop is perfect for anyone wanting a trail filled with scenery.
The eye candy doesn't stop with one waterfall when you're at Kings Bluff. Pedestal Rocks and Kings Bluff Trails are filled with head-tilting rock formations, stunning vistas, and (of course) a gorgeous waterfall! At 114 feet, this towering cascade is one of the tallest in the state.
Pedestal Rocks & Kings Bluff Trailhead, AR-16, Sand Gap, AR 72856, USA
You'll probably want to take a break after trekking Kings Bluff.
Which is great since our next stop is a park-and-you're-there fall! Falling Water Falls is one of the best swimming holes in the state, not to mention one of the most scenic places in Arkansas. Take a dip or just do a quick drive-by before heading to the next waterfall. To see more of this emerald gem, you'll enjoy taking a look at this article on Emerald Falls.
Falling Water Falls, Arkansas 72856, USA
A short drive further north will take us to another breathtaking waterfall.
Six Finger Falls has a similar structure to Haw Creek. Although it isn't particularly tall at only 6 feet, the 100-foot-wide creek has multiple cascades that create a beautiful landscape. Pair these with the surrounding trees and you have one picture-perfect waterfall on your hands. This is another park-and-you're-there waterfall stop.
Six Finger Falls, Falling Water Creek, Sand Gap, AR 72856, USA
You could easily spend the rest of the day exploring this next stop.
If you're up for the hike, Richland Creek Falls and Richland Creek's Twin Falls are well worth the effort. The trek is a total of 6.5 miles and runs along a faint trail that has some creek crossings.
Richland Falls, Richland Creek Trail, Sand Gap, AR 72856, USA
Another underrated waterfall along this loop is Big Creek Cave Falls.
This waterfall is lovely in pictures but absolutely stunning in person. It runs underground and comes out of a cave, resulting in a unique experience all around. This is another tough one for novice hikers but well worth the exertion. You can find more details in this article on Big Creek Cave Falls.
Big Creek Cave Falls, Co Rd 59, Jasper, AR 72641, USA
Now that we've gotten the more hike-heavy waterfalls out of the way, let's take a break at Glory Hole!
This family-friendly waterfall isn't quite like any other fall in the state. Glory Hole flows through the rock instead of over it, creating an odd circular waterfall. And at just 1.8 miles down the hill, the hike to reach it isn't too difficult either.
This rec area has long been a top destination for an Arkansas day trip, whether it’s the put-in point for floaters down Big Piney or a summer swimming hole for families. But there's more to do here than float! A short-and-sweet hike will take you to two waterfalls in the area: Lower Long Pool Falls and Long Pool Falls. For more details read our full article on Long Pool Falls.
Long Pool Falls Trailhead, Nfr 1804, Dover, AR 72837, USA
Which of these waterfalls in the Ozarks is your favorite? Is there another one along the way that deserves a pit stop? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
We would love to see your waterfall adventures 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.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfall Road Trip In Arkansas
January 27, 2021
Daniella DiRienzo
What are some other popular waterfalls in Arkansas?
In addition to the scenic falls from our waterfall road trip in Arkansas, there are a few that stand out above the rest.
One such waterfall is Neil Compton’s Double Falls. The trek to the falls isn’t the easiest. It’s rather steep and isn’t marked; however, the effort is well worth it since the end result is close-up views of a 39-foot double waterfall.
As an added bonus, there are several smaller falls along the way.
If you’re looking for a waterfall with easier access, you’ll find it in Lost Valley’s Eden Falls. Easily accessible, it’s a great visit for the entire family.
Plus, there are several other striking natural features in the area, including caves and additional waterfalls.
Which hiking trails are good for families?
If you and your family are looking for the perfect Arkansas day trip, you can’t go wrong with a hike. There are several trails in the state that are suitable for younger, less experienced hikers. You’ll find two of them at Withrow Springs State Park:
At only 0.75 miles, the Dogwood Loop is great for a short-and-sweet outing. It is a bit steep at first; however, it eventually levels out.
The Forest Trail is a bit longer (2.1 miles), but it’s wide and fairly flat throughout.
What other scenic places in Arkansas are worth exploring?
Hot Springs National Park is among the state’s most stunning. Ancient thermal springs are the park’s centerpiece; however, they’re far from all the park has to offer. Additional perks include mountain views, incredible geology, forested hiking trails, pristine creeks, and historic bathhouses.
Arkansas’ first state park, Petit Jean State Park is another scenic site worth exploring. In addition to its namesake mountain, the park features waterfalls, canyons, hiking trails, and breathtaking overlooks.
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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.
