[title subtitle=”WORDS Scott Faldon
IMAGES courtesy Arkansas Department of Tourism
Epic Photography/West Texas Fish – Shutterstock”][/title]
The old saying is April showers bring May flowers, but for many people in The Natural State, changing it to April showers bring waterfall season is much more accurate.
While a few Arkansas waterfalls flow year-round, most only run during wet weather. That makes a rainy spring the perfect time to hit the trails to visit them. Summer and fall are usually the worst times to chase waterfalls in Arkansas, thanks to the lack of rain.
The most famous Arkansas waterfall is The Glory Hole Falls – which is about sixty-five miles from Fort Smith, north of Clarksville on Highway 21. Over the eons, the feeder-creek has bored through a bluff and drilled a hole through it. During the February cold snap, dozens, if not hundreds, of photos of a frozen-over Glory Hole Falls were posted to social media.
Hemmed-In Hollow Falls is another natural Arkansas landmark. Located near Ponca off Highway 43, it is the highest waterfall between the Appalachian and Rockies, with a drop of 209 feet. Just half a mile away from Hemmed-In Hollow Falls, Diamond Falls drops 148 feet from lip to pool.
While many waterfalls require a solid hike or even off-trail bushwhacking to reach, some are close enough to see from your vehicle. Natural Dam, just up Highway 59, is a popular picnic spot and swimming hole location that can be enjoyed without ever leaving your car.
Car Wash Falls takes it one step further, by spilling onto an unpaved county road so you can drive through it. It is featured in the opening credits of the Exploring Arkansas television show airing on Arkansas PBS.
The best way to begin chasing waterfalls is to start with easily reachable ones. Lake Alma has a small pour-over called McWater Falls that is located on its trail system. Head out of the parking lot to the right (to the north) and look for signs pointing you to a spur trail that leads directly to the small waterfall. It’s just a bit more than half a mile from the parking lot to the falls.
Twin Falls at Devil’s Den State Park requires just a 1.5 miles roundtrip hike on a well-marked and heavily used trail. If you follow the entire loop, you can also check out Devil’s Den and the Devil’s Icebox.
Since waterfalling is a wet-weather activity, good hiking boots or shoes are recommended. You’ll want a solid grip on the wet trails and slippery rocks of the hiking trails. Hiking poles aren’t a bad idea either, especially for the more remote falls. A backpack containing water, snacks, and a good first-aid kit is a requirement. Depending on the weather that day, throw a rain jacket or fleece in as well.
Keep children close when waterfalling, as there are often ledges and cliffs along the routes. Use some good bug spray to keep the emerging ticks off you.
Prolific outdoorsman and author Tim Ernst has published Arkansas Waterfalls. In it, he details how to reach more than 200 waterfalls and cascades in the state. Some, like Car Wash Falls, are easy to see, while others require serious hiking skills and a solid knowledge of how to use GPS. Tim’s guidebook is a must-have for anyone looking for waterfalls in Arkansas. Another great resource is a Facebook group called The Waterfalls of Arkansas. With more than 82,000 members, it fills up with photos of flowing waterfalls every time it rains.
Planning your next outdoor adventure? Visit The Woodsman Company in Fort Smith, Arkansas for all your adventure needs!
5609 Rogers Ave, Fort Smith, Arkansas
479.452.3559
thewoodsmancompany.com
