17 Waterfalls In Arkansas That Will Make You Fall For The Natural State

Fall in love with the Natural State, one cascade at a time.

It would be easy to focus solely on the impressive foliage and rock formations that have made Arkansas such a must-visit destinations for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts—it is known as the Natural State, after all. But journey a little deeper into the forests and mountain towns, and you’ll find what really makes the state such a natural beauty: its waterfalls.

There are more than 200 year-round waterfalls that flow throughout the state—even more if you count the seasonal and unmarked falls—ranging from towering horsetails to glittering cascades. Serious hikers have their pick of countless waterfalls to explore, but there’s no need for expensive gear or even any outdoor prowess. Many of the state’s best waterfalls are just a short hike or day trip away from its most popular towns and sites.

Pack a picnic, or at least just your camera, and check out the most scenic waterfalls in Arkansas.

Haw Creek Falls

The waters at Haw Creek Falls pour down from a rocky shelf that rises no more than 8 feet from the base of the falls, making them an ideal spot for swimming above or below the gentle cascades. These falls are just a short 100-yard walk from the parking lot inside Haw Creek Falls Campground northeast of Hagarville in Johnson County, and, if you time your visit with a good Ozark rainstorm, you’ll see the falls in all their small, but rushing glory.

Sweden Creek Falls

It’s an 81-foot drop from the top of Sweden Creek Falls to the rocky floor below, a rewarding sight after the short hike it takes to get to this watery grotto. The round-trip hike is roughly 1.5 miles within the Sweden Creek Natural Area near Kingston, where you’ll pass bluffs, thickets, and smaller waterfalls along a rocky trail that leads to these impressive falls.

Wildman Twin Falls

There are at least four other falls in Arkansas known as “Twin Falls,” but it’s only at Wildman Twin Falls—in Logan County—that the hike down is as thrilling as the view up. A marked volunteer trail leads the way past the two creeks that feed the falls from above, but if you want to view the twin falls from below, you’ll have to brave a steep and often slippery trail down the bluff. The sound of the double waterfalls tumbling down the rock face echoes off the walls of the grotto in a very memorable roar.

Cedar Falls

Often regarded as the “prettiest falls in Arkansas,” Cedar Falls earns its reputation each season as it drops 95 feet into a cavernous grotto with native trees and moss-covered rocks. There’s a handicap-accessible path that leads to a viewing platform, but the Cedar Falls Trail is the best way to get up close within Petit Jean State Park.

Falling Water Falls

You could spend an entire weekend exploring the numerous waterfalls that make up Richland Creek Wilderness Area (a.k.a., Arkansas waterfall country), but if you have to pick only one, Falling Water Creek is your best choice. There’s zero hiking required, as you can just park and peer out on the gorgeous falls. Bring a swim suit in the summer though, since the creek below is one of the most popular swimming holes in the state.

Box Canyon Falls

No one from Arkansas will know what you’re talking about if you ask for directions to “Box Canyon Falls,” since, throughout the state, they’re known only as “Fuzzybutt Falls.” The 16-foot waterfall outside of Marshall earned its name when the National Park service blurred out celebrated Arkansas wilderness photographer Tim Ernst’s bared rear-end in the photo he snapped for his guidebook.

Glory Hole Falls

The point where Dismal Creek runs through an overhanging bluff in the Ozark National Forest—in between Edwards Junction and Fallsville—has become one of the most sought-after sights for photographers and hikers alike. Glory Hole Falls form a rare waterfall that’s more impressive after a rainstorm when it rushes down 31-feet like a shower head. The falls trickle throughout the year, except in the winter when they’re prone to freezing … which makes them even more of a rare sight.

Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls

Not only is this 209-foot waterfall the tallest in Arkansas, but the National Park Service claims it to be the “tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians.” Located in the Ponca Wilderness Area, Hemmed-in-Hollow Falls is a single-drop waterfall that’s easily accessible via a marked trail off the Buffalo River. For the full Hemmed-in-Hollow experience, charter a float trip down the Buffalo River and hike in the half mile to the falls.

Lake Catherine Falls

Many travelers make the 8-mile trek from Hot Springs to Lake Catherine State Park with the intent of boating or paddling along sparkling Lake Catherine, but the hidden gem of this state park is its wispy waterfall. Also known as Falls Creek Falls—since it’s fed by the Falls Creek—it’s just a short ¼ mile hike from the Falls Branch Trail trailhead.

Little Missouri Falls

Tucked into the Ouachita National Forest just west of Caddo Gap, these cascading falls feed one of the most treasured swimming holes in the state [hint: bring a bathing suit]. The trail throughout the day-use area stretches more than ten miles, but you can reach the falls and picnic areas in just a quarter mile without even breaking a sweat.

Eden Falls

Just a mile past the starting point of the Lost Valley Trail is where you’ll find this multi-tiered waterfall. The lower falls pour out from a towering 53-foot overhang and trickle down the canyon to Clark Creek. Adventure seekers will love exploring the underground waterfall inside the Eden Falls Cave a few yards further down the trail.

Mirror Lake Waterfall

Arguably the most beautiful waterfall in the state—but factually the most photographed one in the state—Mirror Lake Waterfall is easily accessed from a short trail (wheelchair accessible) in the Blanchard Springs Recreational Area. The cool waters that flow down the rocky edifice come from the crystal lake above, which is a favorite for summer swimming.

Natural Dam Falls

The irony of this 8-foot-tall waterfall is that it looks entirely man-made, but, true to its name, the chiseled to perfection falls are 100 percent natural. During dryer months you can walk the top of the dam over the falls, but after a good rain its best to view the cascading falls from the river’s bank nearby.

Pam’s Grotto Falls

This lesser-known waterfall still gives off a refreshing undiscovered vibe; almost as refreshing as the cool waters that make the 37-foot drop into the secluded grotto. The falls are about a half mile in from the Haw Creek Falls Campground, along a well-worn trail frequented by rock climbers who visit the rocky bluffs for very different purposes than spotting waterfalls.

Six Finger Falls

Six Finger Falls may not be the tallest waterfall in the state (just 6-feet-tall), but it definitely competes for the title of longest, stretching more than 100-feet-wide. Flat, smooth rocks make the shelf for these gentle flowing falls, which are visible from the road and incredibly easy to access. Six Finger is great for exploring, and even better for cooling off in the petite pools formed beneath each “finger.”

Tanyard Creek Falls

The family-friendly—and dog-friendly—Tanyard Creek Trail guides the way to these year-round falls deep within Northwest Arkansas. Lake Windsor feeds this spillway, and it’s just a short hike between the falls and the lake to explore the source of these spectacular falls. Watch for fossils along the route, as the boulders tell stories from residents’ past.

Triple Falls

You’ll hear this waterfall referred to by many names, some call it Twin Falls while others call it Boy Scout Falls or Camp Orr Falls due to its location on a functioning Boy Scout camp outside of Jasper. Locals know it as Triple Falls though, since the two sources that feed the system occasionally form a third waterfall during the wet season, which is, coincidentally, the best time to visit.

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