Lonesome Hollow Falls is a great waterfall that based on the beauty, and relative ease of getting to, doesn't seem to get talked about very often and is much less popular than it probably deserves.
It's a short simple drive, and a really very accessible hike to a fantastic 47 foot tall waterfall amid a beautiful canyon.
Getting there
To get to the trail head, take Highway 7 to the little community of Cowell (17.6 miles south of Jasper). Just .2 miles south of Cowell is the Cowell Cemetery. If traveling south from Cowell/Jasper, turn RIGHT (southwest) onto the road that leads to the Cowell Cemetery.
As you get behind the cemetery, turn RIGHT on Forest Road 1253 (there is a sign marker, and it is marked as a "dead end"). The road is gravel, but generally in good shape for an average vehicle. There are two roads here, one goes down the hill and one stays on the level. Stay on the one that is on the level.
Go .9 miles on FR 1253 and park in an unmarked parking area on the right.
The Trail
The trail follows an old four-wheeler road from the parking area and down the hill. It's a nice little hike and the road appears to be somewhat maintained. The trail will bend sharply to the left and continue down the hill. Off to the right while hiking is a fairly steep bluff and a view down into the Lonesome Hollow Creek valley.
At roughly .4 miles, the trail will quickly become less maintained -- there will be a little cairn on the side of the road and a path that goes STEEPLY down the hill. Follow this path.
This steep section is a little tricky, but short. Soon, you'll be below the bluff line and you'll turn RIGHT and follow the bluff from the bottom back to the falls.
The bluff line is very scenic. Follow the bluff line for about .2 miles and you will eventually come to Lonesome Hollow Falls.
The falls tumbles 47 feet and then cascades down the rocks below. The whole area is beautiful and worthy of spending some time. I am looking forward to my next trip so I can do a little more exploring up and down the creek bed.
When you are done enjoying the falls, you can head back the way you came.
Trail Notes:
Distance: 1.1 miles round trip
Difficulty: Moderate
Kid-Friendly: Older kids will be fine
Footwear: Due to rocky terrain, I recommend hiking boots
Trail Book: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls book
Star rating: 4.5 of 5
We hiked this trail in April, 2015.
