Arkansas Waterfalls

1. Cedar Falls

Hailed as one of the most beautiful natural waterfalls in the state, Cedar Falls is situated at the top of Petit Jean Mountain near Morrilton in the heart of Petit Jean State Park.

The 95-foot waterfall cascades into Cedar Creek at a fast rate with a classic rectangular shape, which makes for spectacular “splash-down” views and creating rainbows that rise from the spray. Cedar Falls (Video) can be accessed via the Cedar Falls Trail, which is a 2.25-mile round trip that winds down towards the base of the waterfall and back to the parking lot and is considered to be a moderate to strenuous hike.

A deep and shady grotto along the trail offers lovely views of the waterfalls from a variety of angles.

Petit Jean State Park: 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Rd, Morrilton, AR 72110, Phone: 501-727-5441

2. Cougar Falls

Tucked away in the Ozarks National Forest along a short stretch of road that borders the Leatherwood Wilderness, Cougar Falls is one of four waterfalls in the area that offer excellent hikes and lovely views. Cougar Falls can be reached by traveling down Rand Road for about 1.2 miles and parking on the right-hand side of the road. From the parking spot, bushwhack downhill into the woods and keep following the little drainage to the small creek at the bottom, which will lead you to the top of Cougar Falls after about a third of a mile. The other three waterfalls, namely China Falls, Crosscut Falls, and Little Glory Hole, are a short distance away and can be visited at the same time.

Rand Road, Leatherwood Wilderness, Ozarks National Forest

3. Dripping Springs Falls - Natural Falls

Located in Natural Falls State Park, which is one Oklahoma’s scenic wonders, Dripping Springs Falls, now known as Natural Falls after being renamed to distinguish it from another state park in Oklahoma known as Dripping Springs State Park, is a beautiful 77-foot waterfall just a few miles west of Siloam Springs. The natural setting and scenic beauty of the waterfall made it famous for being site of the 1974 classic American film, Where the Red Fern Grows, which is still evident today with the waterfall plunging over a limestone cliff into a deep V-shaped ravine, which has been carved over thousands of years by the flowing waters of the stream. The bottom of the gorge is an oasis of peace, where rare fauna and flora thrive.

Natural Falls State Park: US Highway 412 West, Colcord, OK 74338, Phone: 918-422-5802

4. Eden Falls

Cascading from towering, moss-lined rocks and boulders into a narrow canyon in Buffalo National River Park (Video), Eden Falls is one of Arkansas' many amazing waterfalls and is at its most spectacular immediately after a shower. Located in Lost Valley near Ponca, home of the stunning Upper Buffalo River, the 35-foot waterfall is easily reached by a short, moderately rated hike along a trailhead that is situated at the end of Lost Valley Road and lined with spring wildflowers and trout lily in season. Park at the end of the road and follow the signed trail to the bluff shelter, where you will find Eden Falls at the far end of the massive overhang. There is cave beneath the overhang that is open to recreational caving and has a hidden waterfall 200m inside the cave.

Buffalo National River Park, 170 Ranger Road, St Joe, AR 72675, Video

5. Falling Water Falls

Falling Water Falls is a beautiful little waterfall on Falling Water Creek that spills over into a large pool, which is a favorite swimming hole in the summer. Located south of the Richland Creek Wilderness Area between Russellville and Jasper, the waterfall is literally on the side of the road – a hidden gem located in the middle of nowhere with easy access for a relaxing escape. Falling Water Falls can be found next to Falling Water Road/FR# 1205, just a few miles east of Ben Hur, with plenty of parking on the roadside and a short walk to its base and pool, where you can spend the day picnicking, swimming, and relaxing.

Falling Water Road/FR# 1205, Richland Creek Wilderness Area, AR 72675

6. Forked Mountain Falls

Forked Mountain Falls is one of two scenic waterfalls located in the shadow of Forked Mountain, the other being the Twist Cascade. Situated in the Flatside Wilderness of the Ouachita National Forest, Forked Mountain rises to an elevation of 1,350 feet and is surrounded by spectacular vistas of the Wilderness Area and National Forest. Forked Mountain Falls is easily reached by hiking just under a mile along a trail that begins just past the South Fourche Campground and crosses the creek several times before coming to the base of the waterfalls and the large pool into which it flows. A slightly further hike downstream and across the stream on an old, overgrown road trace will bring you to the second waterfall of Twist Cascade.

7. Glory Hole Falls

Plunging through a large hole in an overhanging cave bluff into a cavernous cliff grotto below, Glory Hole Falls are truly spectacular immediately after rainfall or during the winter, when they freeze into an ice curtain. Located 6 miles east of Fallsville in the Upper Buffalo Region, the Glory Hole Falls attract beginner adventurers, who come to try their spelunking skills in the cavernous cliff cave 30 feet beneath the falls, which is reached by a relatively easy, non-elevated hike of almost a mile from Highway 16 near Deer. The falls can be viewed from the top of the cliff or from below, which takes an extra short hike to get to the bottom of the 30-foot drop.

Ozone, AR 72854, Phone: 870-757-2211

If you are looking for a great family spot for a photo, check out Triple Falls in Jasper, Arkansas.

8. Hamilton Falls

Located in the Big Piney Ranger District in the Ozark National Forest, Hamilton Falls is one of three waterfalls in the Richland Creek Wilderness Area that offer stunning scenic spots after good rains. Situated further up the Big Devil's Creek drainage from the Twin Falls, Hamilton Falls empties into a lovely tranquil pool surrounded by large boulders. A relatively strenuous 6-mile hike reaches the three waterfalls, namely the Richland, Twin, and Hamilton Falls, with a steep elevation that takes between 3 and 4 hours to complete, there and back. During the rainy season, the Ozark National Forest is filled with streams of swiftly flowing water, so be cautious when crossing brooks and creeks.

9. Hardy Falls

Hardy Falls is best known for its unique and beautiful location rather than for its height. The most impressive view of the waterfalls is through a stone culvert that was designed to form part of the road to the top of Mount Magazine that was built in the 1930s. Designed by an expert named James W. Hardy, the beautifully handcrafted culvert happens to line up with the waterfall to create an awe-inspiring view, hence the waterfall being named after Mr. Hardy. Hardy Falls can be reached by following the road from the visitors center at Mount Magazine State Park for about 6 miles until the signage for the waterfalls can be seen on the roadside.

Mount Magazine State Park: 577 Lodge Drive, Paris, AR 72855, Phone: 479-963-8502