Exploring Northwest Arkansas

Stepp Creek Falls - Ozark National Forest

Stepp Creek is a fantastic area in the Ozark National Forest in an area that is part of the Buffalo River watershed. While it is best known for it's name-sake waterfalls, there are several secondary waterfalls and water features in the area that make this fantastic polyfoss area with 6 named waterfalls & cascades, and several other smaller cascades. And at about 3.2 mile round trip hike, that's a lot of enjoyment for fairly minimal hiking. 

Stepp Creek is a tributary of the Little Buffalo River (which eventually flows into the Buffalo River). The trail here is mostly bushwhack, and unmarked, although some of the trail follows an old logging road for easier hiking.

The week between Christmas and New Years featured a lot of rain, and Michelle and I used the time off around the holidays, and rainy weather, to visit some of our favorite waterfalls in the area. We had been to Stepp Creek before, but it had been awhile. And I'd actually never gotten an opportunity to write a blog post about the -- so I thought a return visit to brush up on directions would be helpful. And with the water flowing really well, it made for some really (in my opinion) good photos of the area.

Getting there

From Edwards Junction (which is the Junction of Highway 16 and Highway 21, 11 miles SOUTH of Boxley), turn EAST on Highway 16 (toward Deer). Drive 4 miles (this is 1.5 miles west of the community of Nail), and turn LEFT (north) onto Forest Road 1227. Drive .8 miles and turn LEFT at the fork, staying on FR 1227). After .25 miles, you'll pass a couple of cattle pens (one on each side of the road) and enter a wooded area. The parking area is almost immediately on your left in the wooded area. 

The Trail

From the parking area, begin by following the old logging road in front of the parking area down the hill. This road is closed off to auto traffic (by some big rocks and a large berm) but makes for very nice hiking.

After about .4 miles on the logging road, turn LEFT and start heading down the hill. Essentially, you'll then head down the hill approximately .25 miles until you get to the bottom of the hill. Stepp Creek is at the bottom of the hill.

I don't have a lot of advice here as there isn't much for even volunteer trails down the hill, just make your way down as best you can. There also isn't really a right or wrong time to head down, as you'll eventually hit the creek. However, at .4 there is a small drainage that I like to follow down because I don't hike with a GPS and following the drainage makes it easier for me to find my way back up. But once you get to the bottom of the hill, the hike becomes magnificent!  

Once you arrive at Stepp Creek, turn RIGHT and follow the creek downstream. Again, there isn't much of a trail here, so just find your own way. There are a lot of amazing water features the entire way so I prefer to follow as close the creek as possible the entire way. 

After approximately .8 miles from the car, you'll arrive at the top of the first waterfall. This is the 25 foot tall Upper Stepp Creek Falls. This is a really interesting waterfall with multiple tiers. 

The best way to the bottom is on the right side of the falls while looking downstream. Enjoy the falls, but there's a lot more to come! From here, continue to follow the creek downstream. When there is a lot of water, there's another small waterfall that comes in from the opposite side of the creek.

Continue on down the hill, and after about 100 yards, you'll get to the next waterfall -- which is the 12 foot tall Lower Stepp Creek Falls. From here, you can see both waterfalls from the same spot!

This is just a magical area. 

Continue downstream. There are a lot of great cascades in this next stretch. 

After about 100 yards downstream, there is another waterfall: Intersection Falls. 

Intersection Falls is aptly named as just downstream from here, there is another creek, Upper End Creek, that pours into Stepp Creek. 

From this intersection, we'll turn LEFT and follow Upper End Creek back upstream where several other waterfalls await. 

After a couple of hundred yards, you'll first get to Upper End Creek Falls.

A bit beyond this waterfall is Upper End Creek Cascade:

At the top of the cascade, you can just barely see another waterfall -- this is Upper End Creek Tier Falls -- which is also worth the hike up.

The entire area is just amazing. 

From here, I generally retrace my steps back to the car. There is a "shortcut" across the top ridge that can get you back to Stepp Creek Falls more directly, but I find there to be a lot of thicket and not all that pretty of a hike, so I prefer to hike along the creek to get back. 

In total, we hiked about 3.2 miles to see all 6 waterfalls. About a mile of that (.4 each way) is on the old logging road and easy hiking; the rest is pretty serious bushwhack. First, down the hill (and back up!). But then the area along the creeks is slick and rocky. And during leaf-off, it's really easy to step on some leaves thinking they are on a rock and fall into a hole up to your knee or thigh. So it's pretty rough hiking, but worth every bit of it in my opinion. 

Total elevation gain is about 750 feet climbing out.

Trail Details

Distance: 3.2 miles

Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult Bushwhack

Kid Friendly: This trail isn't suitable for younger children

Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots strongly recommended 

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls

Rating: 5 of 5

Nearby: Dismal Hollow, Glory Hole Falls, Boen Gulf Area, Smith Creek Nature Preserve

Bear Creek Waterfalls Hike/Bushwack

During the wet season, Northwest Arkansas has a lot of amazing waterfalls. They range from massively tall pour-offs like the 209 foot tall Hemmed In Hollow, to shorter, interesting falls like Six Finger Falls, to even amazing falls like Big Creek Cave Falls that pour right out of a cave. The variety of the waterfalls lets everyone have a different "favorite" -- and they're all right! 

But one area that is a favorite of nearly every Arkansas waterfall-hunter is a polyfos area commonly referred to as the Bear Creek Waterfalls -- which is a series of waterfalls on (or near) Bear Creek in Pope County. This is an amazing area during the wet season and features six (or more) photo-worthy waterfalls -- and each is completely unique.

This area had been on our list for awhile, but because it's a bushwack, and there are only a few write-ups about the area, it was a bit intimidating because not all bushwacks are as easy to follow as others. 

But this area is pretty easy to find during the peak season (during wet conditions, winter through early spring), and the trail, while not maintained, was easy enough to follow to what quickly become one of my favorite areas of the Ozarks and one that I'm eager to return to.

Getting there

From Highway 7 in Pelsor/Sand Gap (28 miles south of Jasper and 29 miles north of Dover), turn WEST/South onto Highway 123 toward Haw Creek Campground. Go 4.7 miles and turn LEFT onto a fairly well maintained gravel road that is Forest Road 1802/1805, County Road 14/61 or also known as Treat Road or I've even seen it called Meadow's Knob Road. This is the road to get to Buzzard Roost and has 6 different names depending on the map you're using. There was no sign with any of the road names when we were there in spring 2017, but there have been signs there in the past.

Go down this road 2.2 miles and there is a little ATV road on the right (Marked with a metal sign at ground level as 93179A). If you have a reasonably high-clearance vehicle you can turn onto this road and park in a small parking area on the ATV road. If not, you may want to park on the main road -- there is a wide spot in the road so there should be room. 

The Trail

The trail starts down the ATV road. After a short, comfortable walk, the road comes to a large open field on the RIGHT. 

The trail enters the woods toward the back (west side) of this field. My recommendation is to  follow the road to the far side of the field, then turn right and follow the woods-line until you hit an obvious trail. The trail was fairly well worn when we were there, and will likely be marked with sticks forming an arrow, or a rock cairn.

There is an upland swamp just beyond the trail which is definitely worth checking out. If you find the upland swamp first, the trail begins shortly to your LEFT as you look at the upland swamp.

 The trail starts into the woods and quickly leads to a scramble down in a ravine. The trail then turns right and starts heading down the hill. 

To your left is a small creek that takes excess water from the upland swamp and down to Bear Creek. The trail essentially follows this small creek/drainage all the way to the larger Bear Creek that waits below. As long as you stay on the right side of the creek there should be an easy-ish-to-follow volunteer trail that is relatively free of undergrowth.

The trail continues down the hill, picks up a part of an an old road trace, then leaves the trace, and then jumps back on it again. At the point where the trail leaves the road trace there is a nice little waterfall to the left. This waterfall is officially unnamed and not one of the featured falls on the trail -- but it is a nice find along the trail. Rick Henry called this "Halfway Falls" because at this point you're about half way to Bear Creek.

The trail continues down the hill and through a little campsite and then ends up at the top of Sidewinder Falls. This area is incredible. 

Sidewinder is 21 feet tall and is the first of the series of waterfalls we explored along Bear Creek. As the name suggests, it pours off through a turn in the rocks and into a a simply amazing canyon. Swamp Falls (which pours off from the creek we followed down the hill) is also visible pouring off into the ravine at this spot (You can catch a glimpse of it in the top center of this photo)

From this spot, we first followed Bear Creek upstream. 

At .1 miles upstream from Sidewinder Falls is Baby Bear Falls. Baby Bear Falls tumbles about 12 feet into a beautiful pool of water. 

After exploring around Baby Bear Falls, we went back downstream to catch a peak at what waited for us down there. 

First, we stopped off to get a better look at Swamp Falls. Swamp Falls is a 19 foot tall waterfall that pours into a deep canyon. The water from this falls originated at the upland swamp where this journey started.

As you make your way downstream from here, follow along the side of the creek you arrived on and continue making your way down. There is a nicely worn path here and it is very treacherous on the opposite side of the creek.

The trail runs above the canyon and crosses the creek that makes Swamp Falls that we followed down. During the spring, there are amazing wildflowers in this area as well. Be sure to watch your step as to not damage these beautiful flowers.

The trail then drops down the hill and on the backside of the canyon that formed near Sidewinder Falls. The trail runs along here for a bit -- there are some other interesting small water features in this area. 

Just a bit further downstream is the 10 foot tall V-Slot Falls. V-Slot Falls is a falls that flows around a large boulder that has wedged itself in the middle of the creek. During higher water, the water flows on both sides of the rock forming an interesting "V". 

The water here then forms a super-interesting slot canyon. There are not many slot canyons in Arkansas -- and this one is particularly scenic.

From here, the trail loops around the top of the hill again and around this slot canyon. It then dips back down to creek level. Once reaching the creek, turn RIGHT and head back upstream 

Upstream about 75 yards or so is Slot Pool Falls. This falls isn't very tall (guessing about 12 feet or so), but pours out of the end of the slot canyon into a beautiful blue pool in what is an amazing canyon area. 

In total, only a few hundred yards separate Baby Bear Falls (upstream) with Sidewinder, Swamp Falls, V-Slot and Slot Pool Falls downstream. So while in the area, I highly recommend taking them all in. As noted before, all are unique falls and add to the beauty of the area. 

From here, we simply retraced our steps and hiked back to the parking area. The hike out is pretty steep -- with more than 750 feet in elevation gain climbing out. So while it's fairly short, it will take your breath away -- so take your time.

This area is simply one of the most scenic waterfall areas in Arkansas -- and easily among the ones I'm excited to return to. There is also a lot of other exploring to be done in the area. 

One additional note; this area is super-slick with a lot of steep drops and falls. As with all waterfall areas, be very careful and be sure you have secure footing to risk slipping and falling. Enjoy safely.

Trail Details

Distance: Approximately 3.2 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult -- mostly due to slick surfaces near the creek and the 750 feet of elevation gain.

Kid-Friendly: No

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls. Also, Rick Henry has a nice overview of this one at his place. 

Footwear: Hiking boots that can grip slick surfaces

Rating: 5 of 5

Photos from our hike on April 14, 2017.

Other nearby places to visit: Buzzard Roost Special Interest Area, Haw Creek Falls, Pam's Grotto

Roark Bluff Overlook Trail

Roark Bluff is a popular haven for photographers. The way the bluff catches the sunrise in the mornings, it's wet-weather waterfalls, and easy access, make it a great destination for photographers along the Upper Buffalo River area. 

But what is less-known is that there is a pretty nicely worn trail to get to top of Roark Bluff that provides amazing views of the bluff from above, as well as the entire Steel Creek area. 

The trail is a relatively easy hike, and because it's not well-traveled it's likely you'll have it all to yourself. And with these directions, you should be able to find your way pretty easily.

Getting there

The trail starts from the Steel Creek canoe launch along the Buffalo River. Take Highway 74 South from Ponca. At the top of the hill (about 1.5 miles from Ponca), turn left onto the Steel Creek access road (very well marked). Drive down to the bottom of the hill and turn right at the fork to get to the canoe access point. Park in the parking area here. 

The trail starts on the OPPOSITE side of the river. During high water the trail won't be accessible. Never try to cross the river if there is a swift current and if you cannot see the bottom as it will be unsafe. Even during low water, you'll want to consider this a wet water crossing. Late summer, fall and early winter will be your best timing for this hike.

The Trail

Cross the river at the canoe put-in area. While it may be possible to rock-hop to get across, you should plan on this being a wet crossing. 

Once crossing the river, the trail starts immediately across the river and to the right, and starts through a cane thicket. After a short walk, the trail splits. The trail to the right connects with the Old River Trail. Stay LEFT at the fork. 

From here, the trail goes back into the woods away from the river, turns left up the hill a bit and through a nice pine grove.

The trail winds its way up the hill, to the right, then back up. Eventually it hits a really nice rocky bluff area. It's worth taking some time to explore.

The trail goes to the RIGHT of the rocky bluff area, but you'll need to go left to see some of the neater formations. 

Back on the main trail, the trail loops around the rocky bluff and up the hill some more. Then the trail bends around to the left at the spot pictured below.

At this spot, the trail takes a hard LEFT up the hill. There was some pink tape marking the trail on the day we were there, but this area is well-traveled enough, especially in the fall, that you should be able to notice the turn if you're looking for it.

The trail goes up to to the top of the ridge, and then turns right, and heads back down a bit. It crosses over the remains of an old barbed wire fence and down onto the bluff until it reaches the overlook at about 1.1 miles from the River. 

The overlook provides an amazing view of the Steel Creek recreation, the Buffalo River and Roark Bluff -- which are all below. As with all bluffs in the Ozarks and Buffalo River Area, be very careful near the edges as some spots are very narrow and the falls are very far and steep.

This is a great place to have lunch and just enjoy the beauty of the area. 

Once you have spent your time at the bluff, return the way you arrived.

The entire trail is about 2.2 miles round trip.

If you have time to explore, there are also some neat rock formations and views of Big Bluff on the back side of the bluff (just beyond where you turned to go up to the ridge). 

This is a really great little hike, and while not an officially maintained trail, it is used often enough that it was easy to follow for our Thanksgiving Day hike. It's one we definitely will check out again during the fall when the leaves are turning.

Trail Details

Distance: Approximately 2.2 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate - mostly due to the river crossing and being an unmarked trail

Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots or trail shoes

Kid Friendly: Older kids should be ok, as long as they can safely make the water crossing and are aware enough around cliffs.

Trail Guide: Danny Hale's Takahik: Hiking the Arkansas Ozarks hiking guide

Star Rating: 5 out of 5

Other nearby hikes: Roark Bluff, Steel Creek Overlook, Buffalo River Trail Ponca to Steel Creek (can do in reverse from this location)

Trail Photos from November 23, 2017

Thunder Canyon Falls - Buffalo National River Area (near Erbie)

The hike to Thunder Canyon Falls has increased in popularity in the past couple of years with good reason. It's a FANTASTIC waterfall that flows into a very nice slot canyon that makes it somewhat unique from most other Ozarks waterfalls. 

I'd failed in a previous attempt to find this waterfall (more on that in a bit) so was looking forward to heading back to the area to check it out. The Falls is named for it's "thundering" sound as the water comes over the edge into a slot canyon. So with a name and story like that, it's gotta be cool. . 

There is a LOT to see and do in this area, so I do recommend you plan to spend plenty of time.

Getting there

The trail to Thunder Canyon Falls starts at the Cecil Cove Loop Trail head in the fomer community of Erbie in the Buffalo River area. There are several ways to get to Erbie -- some are easy, and some not quite so easy. The easiest way is often coming in from Erbie Campground Road -- which is off Highway 7 about 3.3 miles North of Jasper. However, this route requires crossing a low water bridge at the Buffalo River, which, if the water is high, will be unwise or impossible. There is also a route taking CR-19 from Compton - which is down a STEEP, unmaintained gravel road that is completely not advised unless you have a high clearance 4WD vehicle. 

So, given the recent rains, we came in the most consistent route (and the one I recommend if you're here during waterfall season). To get there this way, go North on Highway 7 from Jasper and go 4.1 miles north of where you cross the Buffalo River and turn LEFT onto NC-2800 (Old CR 125).  This is about a mile SOUTH of Mystic Caverns if you're coming from the North.

Take NC 2800 7.5 miles (all reasonalbly maintained gravel) to the Community of Erbie. At some point you'll also see signs calling this CR-19 which is the old name of the road before Newton County converted the road names to convert to a 911 system a couple of years ago. There are a lot of country roads in here that intertwine and it can get a bit confusing -- but if you consistently stay on what seems to be the main road and look for CR 19 or NC 2800 road signs, you should be able to find it. A map will obviously help. The GPS on your phone may or may not help depending on your cell service provider. 

Shortly before you get to the trail head, you will have to cross Cecil Cove Creek. We crossed it without 4WD without a problem, but during VERY high water this could be treacherous and you may be out of luck. This was a wet day, but a couple of days after steady rains and it was no problem.

When you get to Erbie, there will be a big intersection with multiple roads all coming in at one point -- there is an old church down the hill, a sign to a horse camp, and the trail head parking on your RIGHT with a sign and a pit toilet. Park wherever you can here.

If you want a lot of details on all the possible routes to the trail head, Rick Henry has a really nice, detailed overview. 

The Trail

 

 The trail starts off on the Cecil Cove Loop Trail behind the sign and toilets. The trail is shared with horses (so be alert) and is pretty wide and easy to follow -- and the trail descends gently downhill.

At .4 miles, the trail reaches a nice little pool of water. This is a pool that is formed by Van Dyke Spring and has a nice rock bluff behind it. It's a nice little spot. The trail then crosses this pool of water. There is sometimes a beaver damn here you can cross, or some rocks in the water, or sometimes it's simply a wet-water crossing. Find your way across as best you can.

This is where things get a little tricky.

After crossing the water at Van Dyke Spring, the trail then hits another larger creek -- this is Cecil Cove Creek. This is the creek that the trail will follow back toward the falls. 

I THINK the main trail crosses Cecil Cove Creek here, however, there is another trail that heads off to the LEFT before crossing Cecil Cove Creek and this is the route I've consistently taken here since it's a wet crossing and, because I can never seem to find the trail on the other side. Since this is the route I go, I'm going to recommend you turn LEFT onto this trail BEFORE crossing Cecil Cove Creek.  

This trail is nice and flat and works its way through the woods with the creek off to the right. After about .4 miles the trail then comes to a crossing on Cecil Cove Creek -- and you must cross here. 

This is a wet crossing when the water levels are high (which you'll need for there to be water at Thunder Canyon when you get there). Michelle chose to change into water shoes for the crossings. I didn't bring mine (which was a bit regrettable) and so I spent the rest of the day hiking in wet boots. Plan to get your feet wet here during high water season because bolder-hopping is a bit treacherous and probably impossible for most people.

The trail then picks up on the other side of the creek and follows along the opposite side of the creek for awhile before coming to yet another water crossing to cross back to the other side Again, cross here (and plan to get wet).

And don't forget to check out the beauty all around -- the creek itself makes for some very nice scenes.

After crossing here, the main trail will turn RIGHT at about 1.4 miles at the bank and continue on. However, the trip to Thunder Canyon Falls, turns LEFT. 

This is where we got a bit confused. In Tim Ernst's waterfall book, it says you cross the creek four times and before leaving the main trail. Rick Henry has noted the same thing. However, since we didn't cross the creek at Van Dyke Spring, this was only our second water crossing. But since I was counting, and not checking mileage, we went too far and missed this the first time. If you get to the stone wall, you've gone too far if you're planning to go to Thunder Canyon Falls. 

When the trail turns right at the bank, there is a volunteer trail that turns LEFT here. It's a pretty worn volunteer trail and follows along the creek for a bit and then up a hill -- then, there is a beautiful creek inside a slot canyon to the left. Follow this trail to Thunder Canyon Falls.

 The trail follows along the slot creek for about .5 more miles upstream to get to Thunder Canyon Falls.  The trail crosses the creek a couple of times and offers some really neat slots, swimming holes and water features. The trail will also go from next to the water to up on some small bluffs above the water as it navigates the many trail obstacles that are out there.

I would be remiss if I didn't offer a bit of warning here. The rocks and mud along this creek are SLICK. Think of it a bit like trying to walk across your garage floor while using ice cubes for shoes. Or, walking up hill on a slip and slide. We've been to a lot of waterfalls in Arkansas and there's been nothing that compares to this. 

At one point I did completely slip and slide down a rock into about a 2 foot pool of water. Fortunately all my camera gear remained dry, but I did have a solid bruise for a couple of weeks and thankfully it was a warm day so the water was refreshing. Really, everyone talks about it being slick -- and they aren't exaggerating, so be careful. The good news is that most of the drops are short ones so getting wet and banged up are your biggest concerns.

After about 2 miles of total hiking, the sound of roaring water will become evident and the trail leads into Thunder Canyon. It's a good sized canyon -- with 100 foot tall walls on either side and a creek flowing down the middle -- and in the back, the 71 foot tall Thunder Canyon Falls. 

This is just a fantastic waterfall -- and is worth all the buzz.  After spending some time, we headed back out the way we came.

 Trail Detail

Distance: 4 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderately difficult. Much of the way here follows a relatively flat, maintained trail. However, the fact that there are multiple wet water crossings add to the challenge. The last 1/2 mile of very slick terrain are very difficult and will challenge even the most sure-footed of hikers.

Kid-Friendly: This trail isn't suitable for young children

Footwear: The trail is slick, rocky, and wet. So if you have a game plan for that, go with it. I wore hiking boots, which became wet and heavy with the water crossings, but were mostly grippy which was nice. Michelle changed shoes multiple times and ended up wearing Keens back to the falls. I'm not sure some moisture wicking trail shoes might not be the right choice. But whatever helps you get the most sure-footed gripping shoe, that you don't mind getting wet will be your best option here.

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls includes the route to the falls, his Buffalo River Hiking Trails book covers the Cecil Cove Loop Hike in more detail.

Star Rating: 5 of 5

There is a ton of stuff also near by and more than enough to spend several days in the area. But some nearby attractions include: Cecil Cove Loop Trail, An Unnamed Waterfall, Old Erbie Church, JW Farmer Homestead, Paige Falls and Broadwater Hollow Falls, Goat Bluff/Old Erbie Trail.

Hiked: May 28, 2016

Alum Cove Natural Bridge Recreation Area

I first hiked Alum Cove several years ago - -and it wasn't the best experience in the world. We hiked this on a hot day in August, which was probably a mistake, and the trail had only recently been reopened after a huge ice storm had caused severe storm damage the winter before. 

But I kew this area deserved a second chance --  and our return visit highlighted why this a very popular hiking and picnic area. It's a relatively short hike that provides a LOT of great features including a couple of waterfalls, a cave, a small stream and the highlight, the Alum Cove Natural Bridge. This is a very family-friendly destination and a lot of bang for your buck while hiking. 

Getting There

Take Highway 7 South out of Jasper for 15 miles and then turn RIGHT (west) onto Hwy 16 toward Deer (There is a faded sign at the interestcion). After roughly 1 mile on Hwy 16, turn RIGHT onto CR 28 (there is a sign here also) and travel three miles until you see a large sign for the Alum Cove Natural Bridge Area. Turn RIGHT at this sign, and it will dead end at a large parking area that includes several picnic spots, a large picnic shelter, and a pit toilet.  

The Hike

As noted before, this is a relatively short loop hike (only 1.1 miles) but has a LOT to see, hikers should plan to spend a little time enjoying the area.

The trail starts off behind the lower picnic area and heads down the hill. It has a couple of switchbacks until it reaches the bottom of the hill and ends up directly at the Natural Bridge.

The Bridge is huge - -and one of the larger natural bridges in the area measuring in at 130 feet long and 25 feet wide. 

While the Natural Bridge is the highlight of the trail, there is still a lot of other great things to see in the area 

From the Natural Bridge, the trail heads out on either side of the bridge and makes a loop. We decided to go left before the start of the bridge and follow the trail clockwise. 

The trail immediately drops down to the bottom of the hill and then splits -- to the right goes to the bottom of the Natural Bridge and to the left continues on the loop trail. I'll note here, that my favorite views of the Natural Bridge are from the bottom. 

We continued down the trail to the left and soon came upon a crossing over a small stream. With the recent rains, there was a fair amount of water flowing in this little stream.

The trail then goes back up the hill toward the bluff line at the back of the trail. Once the trail hits the bluff line, there is a large opening in the rock that forms a nice cave. The cave is tall (about 16 feet or so) and there is a separate, smaller opening that you can exit from and it's worth a bit of time to explore (kids will love it!). 

From the cave, the trail turns right and follows along the bottom of the bluff. This is a really beautiful area.

After a few hundred yards, during wet weather season, there is a nice little waterfall that tumbles over the edge of the bluff. 

The trail continues to a crack in the bluff line that creates several cave-like areas where hikers can go in and out of the different bluff lines making for a really cool section of the trail. 

From here, the trail turns away from the bluff and heads back toward the Natural Bridge. It goes down the hill and crosses the small stream via a small bridge, and then heads back up the hill toward the Natural Bridge. 

Then, the trail goes back up to the top of the bridge and heads back to the parking area. The hike back up the hill to the picnic area is the toughest elevation change in the trail but is not too bad and has a couple of benches where hikers can stop and rest and enjoy the serenity of the area.

 The Alum Cove Trail is a relatively popular trail -- but even over a holiday weekend we only came across a few people on the trail, so it makes for a nice area that offers a feel of seclusion without being truly in a remote area. We really liked the trail and will be back. 

Trail Notes

Distance: 1.1 mile round trip (does not count additional exploring). 

Difficulty: Easy

Kid-Friendly: YES! The creek, and caves will be great for kids. Just keep a close eye on them at the top of the Natural Bridge. While there is a fence there, it would be easy for a kid to climb through so do keep an eye on them.

Footwear: Trail Shoes will be fine

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Buffalo River Hiking Trails, Arkansas Nature Lovers Guide, Arkansas Hiking Trails

Star Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Also Nearby: Lonesome Hollow Falls, Fern Falls, Round Top Mountain, Big Creek Cave Falls

 Date Hiked: May 29, 2016

Lonesome Hollow Falls

Memorial Day weekend turned out to be an amazing weekend for waterfall hunting. .The week prior was full of heavy rains, but with the nice weather during the weekend, it made for a perfect opportunity to find a lot of good waterfalls with a lot of water flowing.

We took in an old favorite, Lonesome Hollow Falls and had it all to ourselves. It's a relatively short hike that begins only about a mile off the main highway, so it's a pretty easy falls to get to for the relative beauty.  We caught some new photos that turned out quite nice with the larger flow.

You can get directions to the trail and full hiking notes at my post here. 

Photos from May 29, 2016. 

Paradise Falls - Upper Buffalo Wilderness

Paradise Falls has been on my radar for several years. I'm a fan of the big, cascading waterfalls and deep blue pools and from the pictures I've seen, it sure seemed like a falls I was going to like.

In fact, we made an attempt to hike down to Paradise Falls a couple of years ago, but because there is no official trail here, the route became confusing and we ended up turning back. 

So, this will be my attempt to help others find Paradise Falls. Because those that do find the falls will be greeted not just by Paradise Falls -- but by several smaller waterfalls, a cascading creek bed, and overall top-notch scenery. 

Getting there

The trail head is relatively easy to find. It is just off of Highway 21 South of Boxley. There is a very large parking are .8 miles south of the little community of Mossville (3.4 North or Edwards Junction). Pull into the U-shaped parking area. The trail takes off on the West side of the parking area and follows an old road trace that is easy to spot.

The Hike

The trail starts off down an old roadway that is fairly well maintained and wide and makes for some really nice hiking. The trail dips down the hill a ways. There is another road trace that goes off to the right but stay STRAIGHT on the main road. 

After maybe .25 miles (very rough estimate), the road comes to the bottom of the hill and turns pretty sharply left. Walk a short distance left and then leave the main road and turn RIGHT and head straight down the hill into the woods. Why would you leave the comfort of a nice walking trail and head into the thick woods without a trail?  You're just going to have to trust this.

Leave the road, and find you way straight down the hill the best way you can. There is really nothing resembling a trail, and it's pretty woolly in places with sticker bushes -- and I wouldn't recommend this one in May-September.  

After a relatively steep climb and at roughly .4 miles, you'll reach the bottom of the hill and there is a creek at the bottom of the hill. From here, there is a reasonably worn "trail" that follows the creek in both directions. 

So, to make this as easy as possible, follow the road until it turns left, then turn right and bushwhack through the woods to the bottom of the hill, then follow the creek to the left to get to Paradise Falls. If you try to make it any harder than this you are likely to get lost.

Once you arrive at the creek, there is much to see. Depending on where you actually arrive at the creek, there is a small, unnamed waterfall #1 that is in this general area. We arrived slightly downstream from unnamed waterfall #1 and went upstream to check in out (the second photo in this blog post).

The "trail" continues then downstream the rest of the way -- and is honestly, more pleasant hiking than I expected given the ruggedness of the area. After a short distance, there was another waterfall, Unnamed Waterfall #2 on the main creek.

This falls was a really nice cascading waterfall with a lot going on. I'd say that even if this was the destination waterfall I wouldn't have been disappointed. It's a great little place that like every waterfall in this area flows into a deep, beautiful blue pool. 

After some further hiking downstream, there are just more great views, cascades, and blue pools.

At 1 mile of hiking there is another drainage that comes in from the left. A few hundred yards up that drainage is a host of mossy rocks and Unnamed Waterfall #3.

The nice waterfall up this drainage is roughly 8 feet tall. 

There is also a nice cascade area just above this waterfall.

Back on the main creek, once the trail crosses the side drainage it starts to become much tougher hiking. It's rockier, steeper, and a lot of the rocks are more unstable that they would appear. The trail also runs a little higher up on the bank than it had before.

The trail passes another cascades area and small waterfall before arriving at the top of Paradise Falls at 1.2 miles.  There is even a signal tree above this last cascades area near the top of Paradise Falls.

Signal trees are believed to be a part of a Native American trail-marking system, and the area round Northwest Arkansas has one of the highest densities of these trees in the country.  Signal trees were also established by early settlers -- and this one is more likely to fit that criteria as it appears to be younger than a Native American signal tree.

To get to the bottom of the falls, follow the "trail" to the left (heading downstream) and there are a series of ropes that help hikers get down (and back up!).  As will all steep bluffs in the Ozarks, be VERY CAREFUL and don't go beyond your individual capacity as a fall could be fatal. 

Hikers that make it to the bottom will get to see a spectacular 32 foot tall, cascading waterfall that pours off into a beautiful blue pool. 

There is a rocky area at the bottom of the falls that is a great place to relax, enjoy a snack, and even take a quick nap in the sun while enjoying the splendor of the Ozarks.

After enjoying the area for awhile, including watching one of the resident bats come out for a light feeding, we headed back -- making sure to enjoy the cascades and pools along the way.

Trail Details

Distance: 2.4 miles round trip -- with all of the exploring, it felt like it was MUCH further than this

Difficulty: This is a difficult bushwhack with about 500 feet of elevation change, a fair amount of bushwhacking and a lot of unsteady ground to hike on.

Kid Friendly: No

Footwear: Sturdy hiking boots

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls book

Star rating: 5 of 5

Also nearby: Glory Hole Falls, QuiVaLa Elise Falls, Magnolia Falls,  Boxley Valley

Wolf Creek Falls (via Big Creek Cave Falls Hike)

Last year, we hiked down to Big Creek Cave Falls  in what was one of our favorite hikes/bushwhacks we've ever done. The hike includes a stream that comes right out of a cave, a 29 foot tall waterfall that comes out of a cave, and another waterfall along Big Creek, which is also beautiful. 

Earlier this spring, we went back to the area because, well, it's just that good. And because I'd found out that there was yet another waterfall on this hike -- Wolf Creek Falls and wanted to check it out.

To add Wolf Creek Falls to the hike, follow the directions from the original hike here.

Once you get to Big Creek Cave Falls, continue following the creek upstream for another 1/4 of a mile. It may be a bit of rough bushwhacking, and you may also hit on old road bed. If you find the road bed, follow it upstream (to your right) to where it crosses the water. If you don't find the road, keep heading upstream until you hear the roar of the falls. 

Either way, you're going to have to cross Cove Branch (which feeds into Big Creek) here and it will most likely be a wet crossing and the rocks will be slick -- so be careful.

Once you get to the other side, there will be a large flow of water coming down the hillside among some rocks. 

Make your way up the hillside for some impressive roaring water. You'll see Wolf Creek Falls about 100 yards up the hillside.

Wolf Creek Falls (which actually flows into Cove Branch and not Wolf Creek, but don't blame the messenger) is an approximately 18 foot tall waterfall that comes roaring out of a large cave entrance. It is a fantastic falls and was really roaring on the day we were there. There is a small gate here that is locked -- but there is no fence, so it is easy to navigate around.

 The cave is off-limits tohumans. There is a white sign at the cave entrance that says the cave is off limits, and PLEASE obey the sign. Caves in Arkansas usually contain bats... and several popular species here get a disease (actually a fungus) called white nose syndrome.  The disease was only discovered in 2006, and has already led to the death of nearly 6 million bats.  There is some concern that humans spread the disease so please entering all Arkansas caves. 

As you follow the cascade back down from the falls, you'll note that the stream actually flows underground prior to joining Cove Branch in a  really interesting and scenic little area. 

This whole area is among my favorites in the Ozarks and I get the sense that there is a lot more exploring to do in the area.

Distance: .5 round trip from Big Creek Cave Falls, 3.4 total

Difficulty: Difficult

Kids: No

Footwear: Hiking boots

Trail Book: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls book -- the newest edition -- has this falls briefly mentioned and located on the map. 

Star Rating: 5 of 5

Kings River Falls Hiking Trail

One of the great things about hiking and playing in the wilderness in Arkansas is that each time you visit an area, it takes on a bit of a different feel depending on the time of year you go. Different weather and water levels make a big impact, as do leaf color, what flowers are in bloom and who you are sharing the trail with.

Maybe no area represents this more than the Kings River Falls area.

The Kings River Falls Trail is a great hiking trail -- only about 1.2 miles round trip, and filled with beautiful scenery. It's a relatively flat, easy hike, so it's good for kids too. 

At the end of the trail is a 10 foot high waterfall -- and during warm weather, the area can become a (justifiably) popular swimming hole.  It's definitely worth the time to check out.

Getting There

To get there, go to the community of Boston (just a few homes there now) -- which is on Highway 16 between Pettigrew and Red Star -- and about 19 miles west of Fallsville. 

From Boston, turn North onto CR #3175 (gravel, but a good road) for 2 miles and then turn RIGHT onto CR #3415. Stay on this for 2.3 miles and the road stops at a "T" intersection. 

Turn LEFT at the T, and afer a few hundred yards you'll cross a small stream and there is a decent-sized parking area on your right. The sign will mark the spot.

The Trail

The trail takes off just to the left of the sign, and runs along a fence and an open field (to your left) and a creek (to your right). 

After a bit, the trail reaches the Kings River and turns to the left and then runs downstream along the river. After a bit, the trail crosses over a nice footbridge.

The trail continues and is level the entire time so it makes for great hiking.  It's a wide trail that is really easy to navigate.

There are a lot of great little areas to check out along the river so plan to go slow and enjoy the trail and the river a bit.

We hiked this trail on Memorial Day weekend and the trail had an extra special surprise for us. The Azaleas were in full bloom and the bright pink flowers were a wonderful sight along the river.

 

The pop of pink color was magnificent along much of the trail.

 

After about a mile, you eventually get to main event -- Kings River Falls. This is a great, 10 foot high waterfall that is set in just an amazing area. Plan to spend a little bit of time enjoying this fantastic waterfall. 

During warm weather, the swimming hole below the falls becomes a VERY popular swimming hole....so if you are planning to come to this area and want some peace and quiet, then early mornings or during the week are probably best. If hanging out with people who are all having a great time is more your game, a weekend afternoon will work.

Getting to the Overlook

While the hike to Kings River Falls is great, and most people are perfectly fine enjoying the falls itself, there is a bit more to see here.  Just upstream from the falls there is a creek that comes in from the trail-side of the river.  If you follow this little creek upstream a bit there are also a series of waterfalls that come down off the top of the hill.

There is a volunteer trail that heads up along these falls that is pretty easy to follow and when the water is high, they're definitely worth checking out.

Then, to your right, there is another trail that leads back toward the river. 

From this trail, you can get an amazing view of Kings River Falls from high above the Falls on the Bluff and well worth checking out.

Overview

Distance: 1.2 miles round trip

Difficulty: Easy

Kid Friendly: Yes

Footwear: Trail shoes or Keen water shoes

Guide Book: Covered in a lot of places: Tim Ernst's Waterfall Book or Arkansas Hiking Trails.

 

Big Creek -- and Big Creek Cave Falls

The hike back to Big Creek Cave Falls, and along Big Creek is one of the best surprise hikes in the Ozarks. This is a spectacular area and immediately has become one of our favorite places in Northwest Arkansas. It's surprising that in 12 years of coming to the area I've never heard anyone even mention this great hike and unique waterfall other than pulling it out of Tim Ernst's Waterfall Book and thinking "that looks cool, we should check it out."

The setting is beautiful. The Creek itself has a lot of spectacular water features, and the grand finale does not disappoint.

There is no official trail here. However, 1/2 of the trail is very easy to naviagate. The other 1/2 will require some imagination and bushwacking. The best time to check out the trail is probably in early spring when the water is up, but before the growth in the woods becomes too challenging to navigate.

Getting there

To get to the trail head, from the intersection of Highway 16 and Highway 7 near Dear, go north on Highway 7 1.3 miles and turn RIGHT on NC 6840 (This is also FR 1224/CR 59 if using guidebooks or maps. But the new sign reads NC 6840). The road sort of looks like the driveway to a 1 story brick house, but take the road past the house and it eventually begins to look more like a road than a driveway. 

Take NC 6840 for 2.8 miles.  The road is actually not as bad as it seems like it would be when you start, but it is fairly narrow and very steep. If conditions are wet, you may want to have a 4WD to be sure you can navigate out.  At about 2.8 miles, l you are nearly at the bottom of the hill and you will see a parking area and a gate on your right of what used to be an old home site. Park here. 

The trail begins on the other side of the gate by following the old driveway. The homesite is on your right.

The Trail

The driveway is very easy to follow and makes for some good hiking. Eventually, the path passes an old barn that has fallen down and then crosses the Right Fork of Big Creek. You'll most likely have to wade the creek (it was about calf deep when we were there. The stones on the bottom were smooth so we were able to take off our boots and wade barefoot, but you may want to bring a pair of watershoes with you for the crossing).

Once on the other side of the creek, you'll follow the big pasture to the left and then turn right up the hill. At the top of the hill at the back of the pasture there will be a couple of trees that are taped that tell you where the trail begins in the woods.

This pasture is beautiful -- with Left Fork of Big Creek to your left, and several several big mountains all around. It would have been a peaceful place to call home.

Once you enter the woods, the trail becomes a little tricky. There are trees marked with tape throughout, and sometimes the trail is easy to follow and sometimes you'll just find your way into some sticker bushes wondering where the trail went.  Follow along as best you can in the woods along Big Creek knowing that you can't get lost if you just follow the creek.  We were there April 12 -- and there were white, yellow and purple wildflowers everywhere.

It's also worth noting that all along Big Creek, there are a ton of amazing water features, beautiful blue pools. Big Creek (like Richland Creek) that really reminds me of the big mountainous streams in many of our Rocky Mountain national parks. 

One of the features here is an 8 foot tall waterfall that I think was pretty amazing in its own right -- and completely understated in the guidebook.

At about 1.3, there is a creek that joins in from the right. Follow this creek up the hill to the bluff line. 

Here, you will see a very nice cascade coming right out of the cave in the bluff. This is a very cool place to hang out and watch the water cascading over moss-covered rocks. 

Then, cross the creek inside the cave, and follow the bluff line around to your left. After a few hundred yards you'll get to the highlight of the hike -  Big Creek Cave Falls.  This is a 29 foot tall waterfall that is pretty powerful and flows right out of a cave. It immediately became one of our favorite places in the Ozarks.

When you are done, it's time to head back the way you came.

I really do hope they make an official trail here someday. This is an amazing hike and one I highly recommend.

Edit: Be sure to check out Wolf Creek Falls while you are in the area. It is another waterfall that comes out of a cave just .25 miles away. Directions are here. 

Distance: 2.9 miles

Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult

Footwear: Hiking shoes, and maybe some water shoes for water crossings. 

Kids: Older will probably be fine

Trail Guide: Tim Ernst's Arkansas Waterfalls

Star Rating: 5 of 5