Exploring Northwest Arkansas

Roadside waterfalls in the Big Piney Wildlife Management Area

A few weeks ago, we were at the cabin in Arkansas during a long-weekend of pretty much solid rain. While it wasn't great weather for getting out for a hike, we knew the consistent wet weather was enough to get the creeks and waterfalls flowing -- which was all of the motivation we needed.

We first stopped off at Highway 123 Falls.  As expected, water was flowing in pretty much every creek and drainage and we knew there was more to see. While guidebooks can take you to many of the top waterfalls in the state, during wet weather, there are many creeks and drainages that provide spectacular scenery that you won't find on a map, or in a book. So sometimes, just exploring around a little and getting a little "lost" is a fantastic way to enjoy the day.

During our drive, we found many great wet-weather waterfalls.  

From Highway 123 Falls, we set out North on Highway 123 and then turned left onto Johnson County Road 5741. About a mile down this road we spotted a spectacular twin fall that Michelle just adores.

We followed this creek up stream a short distance. It was really a beautiful area. The fact that this was in a pine forest (the pine needles kill much of the undergrowth) made the bushwhack completely. There was another area where two small creeks merged to form the larger creek (that made up the twin falls) and with the sound of the water flowing it was ever-so peaceful.

After exploring here for awhile, we headed back out to Highway 123 and continued NORTH toward Haw Creek Campground.

Before we got to the campground, we came across two other areas that you could see from the road that were worth checking out.

All of these areas were just a short distance from the highway and all extremely scenic. So even in rainy weather, be sure to take the opportunity to check explore a bit and keep your eyes peeled -- there is beauty everywhere.

 

Deer Trail Falls

Deer Trail Falls is another waterfall near Big Piney Creek and should be explored while you are checking out other waterfalls in the area, including Rock Creek Bluff Falls and Big Buck Falls. This is a recreation area used by climbers, ATV riders and fishermen, but not super-accessible and we only saw one other group hiking while we were there on a holiday weekend.

Getting There

The parking area for Deer Trail Falls is actually the same parking area as for Rock Creek Bluff Falls unless you have a high-clearance 4WD vehicle AND the water is not extremely high.

To get there, go to the community of Deer (14.5 miles south of Jasper on Highway 7 and then WEST 2.4 miles on Highway 16).  

Travel 11.7 miles (set your odometer) on FR 1202/Parker Ridge Road/Hwy 30. This is a gravel road, but pretty well maintained. Once you get to the bottom of the mountain, turn RIGHT onto FR 1002 along Big Piney Creek about .6 miles and park in the parking area before crossing Rock Creek.

The Hike

The hike is to Deer Trail Falls is mostly along FR 1002. You will go just past the parking area and wade across Rock Creek. 

After crossing the creek, continue hiking along FR 1002 for 1 mile. The road is narrow and very scenic, and mostly follows along Big Piney Creek. 

At approximately 1.2 miles, the road will curve to the right, and then back to the left.  At the back of the "U" curve there is a creek that enters from the right.  This is the creek that makes up Deer Trail Falls. If you had a high clearance 4WD and decided to drive through the creek crossing - you can drive to this point and there is another parking area just a little past this creek and you can park and walk back. 

Creek as it flows by FR 1002.

To get to the falls, you will follow this creek upstream roughly .2 miles to get to the falls. There is not trail to the falls, and we found the area to the LEFT of the creek to be the most easily navigated. You'll climb up the hill across some rocks and trees and it will eventually level out and you'll get fairly far away from the creek but it will still be visible.

At some point you may spot an actual deer trail that will lead take you to the falls, but mostly you should just plan to bushwhack your way to the falls. I'm not going to lie, this isn't an easy bushwhack.

Deer Trail Falls is a really nice 55 foot tall falls that has a nice cascade followed by a pretty steep falls that then filters through some fallen rock into a small pool below.

The Deer Trail continues along the bluff line and back behind the falls -- so be sure to check it all out.

When you are done, you can go back to the main road and either head back to your car, or continue on to Big Buck Falls (which we attempted, but did not succeed in finding). 

Trail Overview

Distance: Roughly 2.5 miles round trip. 3.6 miles if you also include the hike to Rock Creek Bluff Falls. 

Difficulty: Moderate-difficult -- the road section is a flat, easy hike, but the Bushwhack from the road to the falls is a steep climb with tough footing. Plus, there is a water-crossing to start.

Footwear: Water Shoes (for the water crossing) and then sturdy hiking boots

Kid-Friendly: Older kids should be ok

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls (2nd Edition)

Star Rating: 4 of 5

We hiked this trail Memorial Day 2015 -- I would recommend doing this trail earlier in the spring before things get grown up as it would make the bushwhack a little more manageable.

Other waterfalls in the area include Rock Creek Bluff Falls, Big Buck Falls and Car Wash Falls.

Rock Creek Bluff Falls

Big Creek Bluff Falls is a great waterfall in a wonderful little area near Big Piney Creek. The area seems to be popular among fishermen, ATV riders and rock climbers -- but maybe less so for waterfall hunters and hikers even though there are several in the immediate area.

Part of the problem is that the area is a little tough to access without a 4WD, and even then, when there is high water, one of the routes is inaccessible, and another has not been reopened after a rock slide several years back.

But the area is lush, and beautiful, has a lot of tall bluffs, the Big Piney Creek and several waterfalls and very much worth a visit. 

Getting There

To get to the trail head, go to the community of Deer on Highway 16 (roughly 2.4 miles west of Highway 7, 14.5 miles South of Jasper). 

In Deer, turn EAST on Forest Road 1202/Parker Ridge Road (this road is also labeled Hwy 30 on most maps, although I never saw a sign labeled as that) The road you want is a small gravel road just before you get to the school in Deer -- there isn't a sign, but there aren't a lot of other roads so you should be able to figure it out. There is another road that heads due South in Deer, just past the school that will dead end fairly quickly.

When you turn onto FR 1202/Parker Ridge Road, the gravel road will go east for a bit and then turn South. You'll stay on this road for 11.7 miles (set your odometer) Stay on the main road until you finish a pretty steep descent. 

At the bottom the hill, turn RIGHT onto FR #1002 which runs along Big Piney Creek. Follow FR 1002 about .6 miles and park in the parking areas next to Rock Creek.  If you have a high clearance 4WD, good driving skills, and the water is right, you might be able to cross Rock Creek, but for most people, parking in the parking area is the best call and then wading across Rock Creek.

The Hike

The trail begins along the road you were just on and almost immediately crosses Rock Creek. We wore water shoes, crossed the creek, and then immediately changed into hiking boots on the others side.

If the water is really flowing, it may be too dangerous to cross on foot (or in a car). So be very careful, know your limits and don't ever cross water when you can't see the bottom. This is what the water looked like crossing over Memorial Day weekend in 2015 after an exceptionally raining spring but it had not rained in the previous few days. 

When you cross the creek, continue on the road for a couple of hundred yards and there is an ATV road that veers up the hill to your right (and behind you a bit). Turn onto this ATV road.

The ATV road will go up the hill and bend to the right back toward the creek. The trail will then turn back to the left and follow Rock Creek upstream. A large bluff will come into view along your left.

At about .5 miles, the ATV trail turns right and heads downhill to cross Rock Creek. Here, turn LEFT onto the small trail that heads up the hill to the base of the bluff line. While this trail is not maintained, the area is popular enough with Rock Climbers that we had little trouble finding it.

Head up the hill to the bluff, and when you get to the bluff-- follow the bluff line to the RIGHT to get to the  47 foot tall Rock Creek Bluff Falls. 

It's a very peaceful little area and you can walk full circle around and under the falls.

When you are done exploring the falls, you can head back along the bluff and back to the main road.

If you'd like a little variety, we followed the trail along the bluff line (which is fairly popular for climbers) to get up-close views of the bluff line -- and then followed a volunteer trail down to the ATV road and then back to the main road.

Trail Overview

Distance: 1.2 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate - it's a short hike, and not terribly difficult, but with a deep water crossing, and no signage the navigation makes this at least moderately challenging.

Footwear: Water shoes AND hiking boots

Kid Friendly: Maybe older kids

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls (2nd Edition)

Star Rating: 4 of 5

We hiked this trail Memorial Day, 2015.

Other waterfalls in the area include Deer Trail Falls (forthcoming), Big Buck Falls and Car Wash Falls.