8 Waterfalls in Arkansas to Add to Your Weekend Itinerary

Courtesy of Arkansas Tourism

Arkansas is home to more than 3 million acres of public land, which accounts for nearly 10% of the state’s total acreage. There are 52 state parks, more than 600,000 acres of lakes, and thanks to unique terrain that ranges from the Ozark Mountains to the Mississippi River Delta, more than 200 cascades and waterfalls in Arkansas. 

That last fact may surprise those who don’t live in the state, but Katherine Andrews, director of the Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation, says there are so many unique things about Arkansas that people don’t know.

“If you look at a topographical map of the U.S., the state is kind of on an island,” she says. “Everything else around us is flat, but then we have a lot of mountainous areas, a lot of really big hills and valleys, and that lends itself to some really great waterfalls in Arkansas.”

An Arkansas native who has been all over the state hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, kayaking and more, Andrews gets to combine her love for her state and all it has to offer with a job that helps showcase, grow and promote the things that make it great. 

With her family — and a guidebook on waterfalls in Arkansas in hand — she has set out to visit as many of the beautiful natural creations as she can. Ahead, she shares a few of the best waterfalls in Arkansas that you need to check out.

Mirror Lake Waterfall — Mountain View, AR

A stone dam built on Blanchard Springs Creek created Mirror Lake, and the water spilling over the dam has turned into a gorgeous multilayered waterfall.

There’s a fully ADA-compliant boardwalk trail to the top viewing area as well as a flat 1.3-mile trail around the lake that is wide enough for wheelchairs. It offers views of the lake, the falls and the ruins of an old mill. Also spring fed, the temperature of the falls rarely rises above 58 degrees. 

Courtesy of Arkansas Tourism

Hemmed-in-Hollow Falls — Compton, AR

At 209 feet high, not only is this the tallest waterfall in Arkansas, but the National Park Service says it is the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians.

Located in the Ponca Wilderness Area, reaching the falls from land requires a strenuous 5.7-mile out-and-back hike. But the falls can also be reached via canoeing the Buffalo River and a shorter half-mile hike in the summer.

Falls Creek Falls — Hot Springs, AR

Also called Lake Catherine Falls, Falls Creek Falls is in Lake Catherine State Park. There are few different ways to get to the falls, but Falls Branch Trail behind Campground C takes visitors on a 2-mile walk that winds through the pine/hardwood forest of the park, crosses Little Canyon Creek many times, leads to a waterfall on Falls Creek, and then works its way back to the trailhead.

Courtesy of Arkansas Tourism

Bridal Veil Falls — Heber Springs, AR

The falls are about 100 yards from the parking area, making this a popular and easily accessible spot. There are several drops on Collins Creek, and Cornelius Falls is located on the opposite side of the parking lot from Bridal Veil. 

Courtesy of Arkansas Tourism

Cedar Creek Falls — Morrilton, AR

This central Arkansas waterfall sits at about 90 feet and is accessed via an out-and-back 1.8-mile hike on a trail that was constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the early 1930s. There are some stone steps and a steep climb back to the trailhead. 

Courtesy of Arkansas Tourism

Glory Hole Falls — Deer, AR

Formed by a stream that flows through the ceiling of an overhang cave, this waterfall is best viewed during the fall, during rainy season or during the winter when it is frozen over. Located in the Big Piney District of the Ozark National Forest, the hike to get there has a 500-foot elevation change on a 1.9-mile out-and-back trail. 

Sara Reeves / Arkansas Tourism

Little Missouri Falls — Langley, AR

Deep in the Ouachita National Forest, a short 0.3-mile walk through the forest takes visitors to a series of cascades along the Little Missouri River. Known for its clear blue water, the river forms several pools and falls here that make it a great place to spend a warm day, though it’s beautiful to visit any time of year. 

Courtesy of Arkansas Tourism

Twin Falls — Harrison, AR

The official name is Twin Falls, but in high water, there are three distinct falls. This Arkansas waterfall is also known as Boy Scout Falls or Camp Orr Falls. The road here can be steep and rough, but the payoff is an easy 0.4-mile out-and-back trail to the falls. The area is also spring fed, so the pool of water at the bottom is cold and refreshing during the summer. 

This article was sponsored by Arkansas Tourism.

Arkansas Waterfalls Map