Road 299 Falls is smaller, but dynamic waterfall in the Madison County Wildlife Management Area in NW Arkansas. We've only recently started exploring some in the Madison County WMA, and there are a lot of really interesting places and features.
The waterfall is just a short walk from the road and is a nice place to stop when you are in the area. In addition to the waterfall, it has a nice bluff line and grotto.
Getting there
The falls is just a short drive from Highway 23 between Huntsville and Eureka Springs. From Huntsville, take Highway 23 North toward the community of Forum. From Forum, travel 3.5 miles further north and turn RIGHT onto CR #1235 (there is a sign for the Ozark Natural Science Center). Drive on CR #1235 for .2 miles and it intersects with CR #1250 (the WMA offices are at this intersection). From this point, travel on CR #1250 for 4.7 miles (the road eventually turns into CR #1425, although it is not obvious where. At 3.0 miles there is a sign to the right that points to the Kings River Overlook Trail, stay straight/left at that intersection).
At 4.7 miles, make a hard right on Road 299 (there is a road at a soft right here as well, but Road 299 is the furthest right road, and is the narrowest and least maintained).
Follow Road 299 down .5 miles to the parking area. The road probably does't require 4WD, but your vehicle should have higher than usual clearance. The main parking area is off to the left and a complete mud-pit, so I recommend parking along the road.
The Falls
From the parking area, follow one of a number of volunteer trails down to the waterfall. There is one on the left that heads to the top of the falls, and a couple to the right that lead below the falls. Be sure to check out both areas. The falls is only about 100 yards from the parking area but you will likely need waterproof shoes to cross the creek to get to the bottom of the falls.
Road 299 Falls is 21 feet tall and has a nice bluff line around it that is worthy of exploring.
This waterfall isn't the tallest or flashiest, but I really liked it and we enjoyed our short time here.
Other areas nearby: Kings River Overlook Trail, Tea Kettle Falls (forthcoming), Glory B Falls (forthcoming).
This falls has been known as Chaplin falls for generations by the locals. Chaplin was a thriving community down the holler during the late 19th Century but is now almost erased from memory.
Posted by: Tom Rimkus | 05/30/2021 at 12:36 PM