Here’s The Perfect Weekend Itinerary If You Love Exploring Arkansas’s Waterfalls
Ready to gas up the car and set off on an adventure? The adventure below is an itinerary for a weekend waterfall trip that will take you to some of the most gorgeous waterfalls in the Natural State, and you should go ahead and pencil it in because it’s spectacular. I’m going to give you some important advice about it: plan for a weekend after a good amount of rain has fallen. These places are extra-extraordinary after a good rain, even if that means the hike to view them is a little muddy. Grab some snacks and your best road trip buddy, because you’re going to want someone to go with you on this amazing waterfall road trip in Arkansas.
You’re going to be doing a lot of walking around on this adventure, so let’s start off with a little relaxation. You can recharge your batteries at Longbow Resort, and enjoy a waterfall from the Longbow Cabin. That's right, the waterfall is so close you can enjoy it from inside the cabin. You'll need to be a visitor to the resort to enjoy this one. Longbow Resort is located at 4349 Prim Road in Edgemont.
We’re having a bit of a drive to get to Petit Jean State Park, as it will take you about an hour and forty five minutes to get there. After your long Friday night of relaxation, you’ll want to stretch your legs a bit and hike to the most photographed waterfall in the Natural State. Cedar Falls plummets 95 feet and it’s a stunning feature of Petit Jean Mountain that you don’t want to miss. You’ll find the trail at Petit Jean State Park, which is located at 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road in Morrilton.
Next we’re going back north about an hour and a half, to Haw Creek Falls Recreation area, where you can find three waterfalls all within walking distance of each other. If you’re interested in calling it a day here, that’s cool too, because there's a campground right near Haw Creek Falls. Haw Creek Falls Recreation area is near Hagarville. You’ll find directions in your itinerary. If you don’t want to camp out, just hold on for a few more hours. We’re headed to a lodge.
From Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area it’s about an hour to one of the most incredible waterfalls in Arkansas. The unique look of Glory Hole Falls makes it a spectacular place to visit, but I’ve got practical advice about it: if it hasn’t rained immediately before your visit to Glory Hole Falls, don’t go. Without rain, you’ll be looking up at a pretty cool, but probably boring, hole in the rock. Glory Hole Falls is located on Highway 16 near Fallsville and Huntington.
Ready for a rest after a full day of adventure? Great, because you’re going to want to relax once you reach cushy Azalea Falls Lodge on AR-21 in Kingston. This gorgeous, inviting lodge will allow you to rest up for the next day’s edition of your waterfall extravaganza. Perhaps the best part is that you can see nearby Azalea Falls during your stay.
Next up we’re headed to Triple Falls, which is sometimes called Twin Falls (because unless it’s been raining a good deal, Triple Falls is a twin fall). On the sign, you’ll find “Twin Falls,” so do remember that. This gorgeous waterfall is located in the Buffalo National River area near Camp Orr, which is near Harrison. The hike to the falls is a pretty quick and super enjoyable walk.
I hope you’re well rested and up for a challenge. To get to Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls you’re going to have to hike anywhere between three and a half and five miles one way, so if you’re not up for that much adventure, maybe just pass this one on by. If you do choose to include this waterfall on your journey, you won’t be disappointed. It’s the tallest waterfall between the Appalachias and the Rockies. The state of Arkansas recommends you ask an outfitter in Ponca for directions, so be warned it’s a bit of a journey.
8. Arkansas’s Waterfall Paradise (Richland Creek Wilderness Area)
There's nothing funny about the scenic beauty of Fuzzybutt Falls.
You’ll get to rest your legs a bit for this part of the trip on your nearly two hour drive, and you’ll need that rest if you’ve chosen to do the Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls portion of the journey. There’s a good bit of walking at Richland Creek Wilderness Area, too. That’s because the Richland Creek Wilderness Area is Arkansas’s very own waterfall paradise. You’re going to find a lot of waterfalls in that one area, and they’re all exquisite. For a pretty decent (if I do say so myself) guide to the Richland Creek area waterfalls, click here. Please remember to pack plenty of supplies, as this one is a wilderness and therefore very rugged.
To find easy to get to Natural State waterfalls, click here. For another weekend getaway you might love, try this one.
What do you think of our waterfall road trip in Arkansas? Let us know in the comments below!
Address: Longbow Resort, 4349 Prim Rd, Edgemont, AR 72044, USA
Address: Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd, Morrilton, AR 72110, USA
Address: Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area, Hagarville, AR 72839, USA
Address: Glory Hole Falls Trail, Clarksville, AR 72854, USA
Address: 5103 AR-21, Kingston, AR 72742, USA
Address: Twin Falls Rd, Arkansas 74964, USA
Address: Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, Compton, AR 72624, USA
Address: Richland Creek Wilderness, Sand Gap, AR 72856, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
waterfall road trip in Arkansas
December 19, 2020
Jackie Ann
Should I go hiking in winter in Arkansas?
Absolutely! There’s nothing like bundling up and hitting the trails in Arkansas in the winter. While our trails are beautiful year-round, there’s something magical about wandering through a trail freshly blanketed in snow. In Jasper you’ll find the Triple Falls Trail, a great little trail that features multiple waterfalls which are simply mesmerizing if you catch it with icicles coming from the fall. If you want to feel like you’re on top of the world, head over to Ponca where you’ll find the Hawsbill Crag, one of the most beautiful scenic views around.
What are the most picturesque hiking trails in Arkansas?
The Natural State is just overflowing with picturesque hiking trails that are ideal for the outdoor enthusiast. Some of the most picturesque hiking trails in Arkansas include the Indian Creek Trail in Jasper, Fossil Flats in Devil’s Den State Park, and Eagle Rock Loop in Langley, Arkansas. Be sure to bring your camera along for the hike, because the views from these trails are nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Which hikes in Arkansas are short and sweet?
Sometimes, you want to get out and set off on an adventure, but you don’t always have the time. Luckily, there are plenty of short and sweet trails peppered around Arkansas that are perfect anyone looking to surround themselves in nature for an hour or two. Waterfall chasers will love hiking the Cedar Falls Trail in Petit Jean State Park. The trail is just under two miles and you’ll be met with a stunning view of Cedar Falls. For a tree top view that just dazzles, head over to Mount Magazine State Park where you can hike the Signal Hill Trail. The trail is just shy of two miles and at the top, you’ll be standing at the highest point in Arkansas, 2,753 miles up.
Address: Longbow Resort, 4349 Prim Rd, Edgemont, AR 72044, USA
Address: Petit Jean State Park, 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd, Morrilton, AR 72110, USA
Address: Haw Creek Falls Recreation Area, Hagarville, AR 72839, USA
Address: Glory Hole Falls Trail, Clarksville, AR 72854, USA
Address: 5103 AR-21, Kingston, AR 72742, USA
Address: Twin Falls Rd, Arkansas 74964, USA
Address: Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, Compton, AR 72624, USA
Address: Richland Creek Wilderness, Sand Gap, AR 72856, USA
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J.B. Weisenfels has lived in rural Arkansas for three decades. She is a writer, a mom, and a graduate student. She is also an avid collector of tacky fish whatnots, slightly chipped teapots, and other old things. In her spare time she enjoys driving to the nearest creek to sit a while. If you were to visit her, she'd try to feed you cornbread.
