The Lost Valley trail is the most popular hiking trail in the Buffalo River area – and for good reason. It’s easy to get to, easy to hike, very family friendly, and has more “bang for your buck” than nearly any hike anywhere. This is the first trail I ever hiked in Arkansas – and is one of the many reasons I fell in love with the area – it has everything, a natural bridge, high bluffs, beautiful woods, moss-covered rocks, a beautiful waterfall, and even a cave (that also has a waterfall).
To get to the trailhead, take Highway 43 from Ponca to Boxley through the Boxley Valley. There is a sign that very clearly marks the turnoff to the Lost Valley Campground and hiking area. Turn here, and about a half mile down the road you’ll get to a large parking lot with some restrooms and a shelter. The campground here was closed down in Spring 2011 after some very heavy rains washed away many of the campsites and caused a LOT of damage to the trails here. They’ve been working hard getting the trail back in good shape, and I hope they figure out a good solution for the camping areas. It’s such a magical place that I hope they can maximize the number of people who get to use it.
At the back of the parking lot, the hiking trail heads down across a newly-built rock bridge that heads across a little creek. This is Clark Creek and you’ll be following it through the valley. It’s usually dry here, but there is often great water at the falls even if it’s dry in this spot.
The trail is very easy to follow – in fact, nearly the entire first half of the trail is handicap accessible. The woods here is very pretty, almost tropical. I has a lot of fern-type vegetation in the spring and summer, and a lot of moss-covered rocks that in the fall provide a nice, bright green balance to the leaves on the ground. There are also a lot of hollowed out trees in this area that are fun for kids (and adults) to take a look at.
At about .7, the trail splits. The left heads up, the right heads down. Go right. This heads down to a natural bridge with a little waterfall that tumbles out of it into a nice blue pool of water. It is possible to climb through this little bridge to the other side – although, if the water is high, it is easier to climb in from the other side.
After taking time to enjoy this little spot, the trail heads up to the left and around the bridge. There are some rock stairs here that were rebuilt after the flooding this spring. As you get around to the other side of the bridge, it is possible to climb down into the cave from the other side. It’s pretty neat inside, so I do recommend it.
Back on the trail, the stairs continue to head up and eventually hit another trail (this is the trail that you passed when you turned right instead of left a little ways back). Turn right here. After a short stretch, the trail will split again at 1 mile into your hike. Again, go right. This route goes down into Cob Cave – a GIGANTIC rock overhand that is great to explore.
As you follow the trail a few yards further you get to Eden Falls. There is usually some water here, but during the wet season, this is just a spectacular waterfall. It actually begins all the way up at Eden Cave, tumbles 31 feet out of the falls, then changes directions a few times, and then 53 feet into a beautiful blue pool of water. The sound of the falls echoes through the canyon, and Cob Cave and really is just a special place. Sit for awhile and enjoy.
When you’re ready, head up the hill and you’ll once again reconnect with the original trail. Turn right, and this will take you up to Eden Cave. This last section is a pretty steep climb, and is not nearly as easy as the route that got you here. Head on up this final .2 miles to the entrance to the cave. The way up has more great views of Eden Falls, and at the entrance to the cave you have a great look down at upper Eden Falls. You will be tempted to try to scamper down to get a better photo of the water coming out of the cave – but let me warn you, this area is slick, and it’s quite a tumble down. Just a few weeks ago a young man was trying to get this picture and slipped and fell, and his wife went to help him and she met the same fate. Both had to be airlifted to a nearby hospital, so don’t let this be you – be content to enjoy the falls from above.
When you get to the cave, if you remembered to bring a flashlight (one for each person in your party), you can climb back into Eden Cave. At the back of the cave is another waterfall actually inside the cave. Some day I will have the right camera, the right clothes, the right flashlight and the right water flow to slither back there and get this picture, but I don’t have it yet. Go into the cave as far as you’re comfortable and then head back.
When you are done at the cave, you can head back the way you came. Staying to the right each time you hit an intersection is the most direct route back and covers all the paths you skipped on the way here.
While this is a pretty short little hike, please leave yourself plenty of time to explore and just enjoy this magical little place and it’s definitely one the entire family can enjoy.
Distance: 2.3 miles round trip
Difficulty: Easy
Footwear: Trail shoes are generally fine, but it can be rocky at the end, so if you have weak ankles, feel free to wear hiking boots.
Kids: Absolutely – only the last section to Eden Cave is not easy for kids.
Guidebook: None required, but covered in Tim Ernst’s Buffalo River Hiking Trails and also the Arkansa Waterfalls Guidebook.
