The Sweden Creek Natural Area is a relatively small natural area that is protected by the Natural Heritage Commission.
While small in geographic size, there are a couple of great trails here, several small waterfalls, many great bluffs, and a large, 81 foot tall waterfall that serves as the focal point for this Natural Area. In spite of its amazing scenery, accessibility and great location near Ponca and the Boxley Valley, I don't hear a lot of people talk about the area and it's well worth checking out.
Getting There
To get to the Natural Area, take Highway 21 North out of Boxley (or South out of Kingston). If heading North from Boxley, travel 3.9 miles North and LEFT onto a gravel road (this is 5.2 miles south of Kingston). The highway sign marks the road as the route to Red Star. The map marks the road as Highway 9, and the road sign marks the road as Madison County 3260 -- but if you look for the sign pointing to Red Star you should find it easily enough.
Travel 3.1 miles on the well maintained gravel road and look for the Sweden Creek Sign on your right. There is a small parking area by the sign.
The Trail
The trail starts off behind the gate that is just behind the Natural Area sign (this is different than most of trail guides have listed). The trail is very nicely maintained and follows an old road trace for about .4 miles.
At .4, you will arrive at an old home site with a full-sized home and separate garage.
At the home sight, the trail veers downhill and to the left. After a few hundred yards, the trail reaches a series of smaller waterfalls and splits.
There are two trails here -- both marked with dark blue blazes. One trail heads off to the left and runs along the top of the bluff line. The other goes through a break in the bluff line and then follows along the bottom of the bluff line. Both head to Sweden Creek Falls.
I took the lower route first.
The lower route goes through an opening in the bluff line and immediately turns LEFT along the lower edge of the bluff. To the right is a series of 3 smaller waterfalls ranging in height from about 30 feet to about 15 feet (the middle falls is featured above, the lower is featured below).
The lower trail run beside, and sometimes under, the large bluff to your left. It is blazed, so easy enough to follow, but is often rocky with some unsure footing at times.
I hiked this trail in late December and there was a signficant amount of ice buildup from water that was falling from the bluff, and wet leaves probably aided in my footing challenges. Just take your time and watch your step!
At about .9 miles (.5 of hiking along the bluff), you'll come to Sweden Creek Falls.
Sweden Creek Falls is an 81 foot tall seasonal waterfall that flows into a deep canyon surrounded by bluffs on three sides. While it will eventually dry out during the dry season, it will run for most of the wet season.
Enjoy the time in this wonderful natural area and enjoy the falls. When you are finished, hike back the way you came and back toward the homesite and then turn RIGHT onto the upper trail.
The upper trail is a wonderfully maintained trail and much easier hiking than the lower trail.
As you hike, you'll get great views of the Sweden Creek Valley down below.
After about .4 miles of hiking on the upper trail, you'll be greeted with a view of Sweden Creek Falls from above.
Unlike a lot of waterfalls, the view of the falls from the top is actually great and well worth the trip. A note of caution here, the bluff is VERY steep down, so be very careful if you get close to the edges because a fall here would certainly be deadly.
As you venture around to the very top of the falls, you will get a look at Sweden Creek upstream from the falls and see the very neat stone area at the top, including a V-slot, that the water has formed over the centuries.
After you are done exploring, you can head back along the bluff line to the old home site and then back up the old road to the parking area.
Details Sweden Creek Falls
Date Hiked: December 29, 2014
Distance: 1.8 miles round trip to the Falls. Add approximately another 1 mile if you take both the upper and lower trails.
Difficulty: Moderate
Footwear: Hiking boots due to the footing on the lower trail. I always recommend hiking books for winter hiking as well.
Kids: This trail is not particularly kid-friendly due to footing on the lower trail and the danger of being along the high bluffs
Rating: 4 stars out of 5
Guidebook: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls, or Tim Ernst's Arkansas Nature Lovers Guide
Just happened upon this trail yesterday, would love some more info on the abandoned house! Former ranger residence? Deranged hermit?! Either way, a nice little trail. Also, certain types of hunting are allowed in this area, so use caution and wear something bright depending on what time of year you're there.
Posted by: Matt | 09/28/2015 at 10:29 AM
Matt, glad you found the trail -- it's one of my favorites.
I don't know much about the house, but I know that for many years this recreation area was completely surrounded by private property (and thus, not often accessed). So I would suspect that this was just someone's house until fairly recently (like the past 10 years or so). Would have been a fantastic place to live!
And great point on the hunting in the area. Many Arkansas trails go through hunting areas -- so I do think it's good to wear bright colors when hiking in most of the areas -- particularly in fall.
Posted by: Brent | 09/29/2015 at 11:14 AM