Arkansas
Nature|Waterfalls

The Hike To This Pretty Little Arkansas Waterfall Is Short And Sweet

Long Pool Recreation Area in Arkansas offers a scenic hike featuring two beautiful waterfalls and a prime swimming spot.

Published Jun 30, 2019

Written by 

Carol Ann Carson

Long Pool has long been an Arkansas vacation staple, whether it's been the put-in point for floaters down Big Piney or a summer swimming hole stop for families. Today's two-for-one waterfall hike is a perfect little side adventure to add to your excursion to Long Pool Recreation Area. Let's hit this pleasantly short trail and check out all of these beautiful waterfalls.

Long Pool Recreation Area is one of those not-so-best-kept secrets hiding in Arkansas.

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Google/Moon Light

The pristine teal waters make it a prime swimming hole during summer break. However, swimming isn't the only thing to do at this beloved recreation area.

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Address: National Forest Road 1804, Dover, AR 72837

If you're not just taking a few hours to enjoy the natural pool, this area also has camping available for longer stays.

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Google/Harold Langston

For more information on their no-reservations camping, head to this site. Today's trailhead can be found between sites 9 and 14 in Loop B of the campgrounds.

The trail to the waterfalls is an easy mile through the forest.

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AllTrails/Doug Neidholdt

Families and four-legged best friends can take on this out-and-back trail. The hike does have some mild elevation gain but it's barely over 100-ft. from start to finish.

The "little" waterfall of today's feature is the Lower Long Pool Falls.

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Google/Brennen Duffield

Because of the boulders above this waterfall is split falls. The cascades are especially gorgeous after recent rains. However, this is not the only waterfall you'll reach during the hike.

The other waterfall along the trail is Long Pool Falls.

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AllTrails/Zachry Beavers

Much like the lower falls, Long Pool Falls is perfect after a summer rain. The 44-ft. falls is easily one of the prettiest waterfalls in the state.

This fun trail is an extra adventure to add to your swim at Long Pool.

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Flickr/Kerry

If you're up for a little bit of rock climbing, you can actually walk behind this waterfall! Do take caution around the slippery rocks and always supervise your young waterfall chasers. After you've taken plenty of pictures and explored both falls, head back to camp for a refreshing swim.

Have you taken the trip to both the waterfalls at Long Pool yet? Share you gorgeous photos with us in our Facebook group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.

In addition to this hike Arkansas also have a two-tiered waterfall, a waterfall-fed swimming hole, and even a cabin with a private waterfall!

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Nature|Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Arkansas Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

You'll love this hike to this incredible waterfall in Arkansas. It's truly unique!

Published Oct 15, 2024

Written by 

Christy Articola
Colorful shot of the Glory Hole Waterfall at the end of the Glory Hole Waterfall Trail in Arkansas
Kaleb Hensley/AllTrails.com

If you have an hour to spare, then you have enough time to hike this iconic waterfall trail in Arkansas. Glory Hole Waterfall is beautiful and unique. This waterfall is like none you've ever visited before and it's worth the moderately challenging hike it takes to reach it.

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The trail to Glory Hole Waterfall is an out-and-back trail that's a little under a mile long in each direction. Unlike many trails you'll encounter in Arkansas and elsewhere, this trail is downhill on the way out and is uphill on the way back, but it's not super tough - it only requires 400 feet of elevation gain altogether.

The trailhead for the Glory Hole Waterfall Trail is just a few miles south of Edwards Junction. The parking area is on Highway 16 and it will be on your left as you travel south. Be sure to keep an eye out for it, as it's not well-marked. Although this trail and waterfall are quite popular, you'll find plenty of parking.

The trail itself is fairly flat and wide to start out, but as it starts to descend, it will become narrower. Along your journey, you'll pass interesting rock formations. The trail can be a bit rocky, and it can also be slippery, so it's wise to wear hiking boots, and you may want a walking stick to help you with the steep scramble toward the end.

Glory Hole Waterfall is interesting and different. Instead of water cascading over a ledge, it instead descends from a hole in the rock. When it's really running hard, it looks like someone has turned on a faucet above it. If you want to be sure to see Glory Hole Waterfall in action, it's best to hike to it in the spring or fall, especially after there's been a good rain. The hike is lovely even when the waterfall is dry, but if it's the waterfall you want to see, you'll have to visit it under the proper conditions.

This waterfall is very unusual. If you decide to explore the area above the waterfall, use extreme caution, as it's easy and dangerous to slip into the water flow here. When the waterfall is dry, you can look through the circular hole from above or below and get some cool photos.

The Ozark - St. Francis National Forest is absolutely spectacular and the Glory Hole Waterfall is just one of many adventures that you can enjoy within its boundaries. This is the true heart of Arkansas and there are countless trails to explore and waterfalls to see. Start your visit to this region with a hike to Glory Hole Waterfall and you'll be inspired to dive in and see the rest of this incredible area. Have a great time!

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Nature|Waterfalls

A Bit Of An Unexpected Natural Wonder, Few People Know There Is A Waterfall Grotto Hiding In Arkansas

Short Grotto Falls in the Arkansas Ozarks is a hidden natural wonder worth exploring for its beauty and unique setting.

Updated Aug 9, 2024

Written by 

Melanie Johnson

If I were to ask you, what are your favorite waterfalls in Arkansas? Would you answer Hemmed-in-Hollow, Cedar Falls, or Pam’s Grotto? While those are some of the most spectacular cascades in the state, there’s one that is guaranteed to leave you awestruck. Short Grotto Falls is one of the loveliest natural wonders in Arkansas and it’s one of the most magnificent waterfalls that you can imagine. And there’s no doubt that you’ll want to explore this unexpected, hidden gem in Oark, AR for yourself. So, grab your hiking gear, and let's go!

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Even if you’re a wanderlust explorer of the Natural State, chances are, you’ve never heard of Short Grotto Falls. This pretty little grotto waterfall is nestled inside the Ozarks near the tiny town of Oark, Arkansas.

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Dave Outdoors/Google

Since the area isn’t well-traversed, it might be a bit tricky to locate this hidden gem. So, we provided an

" target="_blank">interactive map for you as well as the coordinates for your convenience: 35.66817, -93.62830.

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Google Maps/35.66817, -93.62830

If you would like to make this a weekend adventure, Short Grotto Falls is only 7 miles from Wolf Pen Recreation Area. Here you’ll have access to the Mulberry River where you can camp, hike, kayak, and so much more.

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Kris Allee/Google

The falls are located in an area known as Engagement Hollow. The drive is along unpaved and unmaintained roads. So, it’s best to use a Jeep or 4-wheel drive vehicle.

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David H/Google

In the area, you’ll find a flowing creek as well as lots of other waterfalls to explore. In fact, there are over 7 waterfalls that you will encounter and many of them are unnamed cascades. But you'll agree that they’re worth the adventure.

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Dave Outdoors/YouTube

Follow alongside the creek, and you’ll eventually get to Short Grotto Falls, and be prepared to be amazed. Not only is it a cool waterfall, but it is an unexpected natural wonder in Arkansas.

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Dave Outdoors/Google

At only approximately five feet tall, this waterfall is tiny, but what it lacks in height, it makes up for it with its beauty.

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Dave Outdoors/Google

Between the carved-out grotto, the majestic trees, the pool as well as the falls flowing over the bluff, chances are, you’ll be captivated by the enchantment of it all.

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Eric Hostetler/Google

Have your camera ready because naturally, you’ll want to experience this hidden gem from different perspectives.

Here’s a quick video by explorer Dave Outdoors showing you more of the falls as well as the gorgeous area.

https://youtu.be/I2OBwa0Wrjc

So, have you ever heard of Short Grotto Falls in the Arkansas Ozarks? If so, tell us in the comments about your experience exploring one of the best waterfalls in Arkansas. If you'd like to explore more wonderful waterfalls in Arkansas, check out this hiking trail that leads to another beautiful waterfall in the Ozarks:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/arkansas/easy-trail-capital-of-waterfall-ar/

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