Spread out over 16 Arkansas counties, the Ozark National Forest is 1.2 million acres of pure wonder. Chances are, you’ve gathered that if you’ve lived in Arkansas very long…but which are the absolute must-visit spots in this wonderland? Well, we’ve compiled a list of a dozen places you absolutely have to explore in the Ozark National Forest, places you may not have heard of before.
Please note, Blanchard Springs Caverns is temporarily closed.
- Lost Valley (Ponca)
Flickr/AR Nature Gal Located in the Buffalo National River area, Lost Valley is a fantastic place to hike and it’s full of hidden wonders. You’ll find tons of gorgeous sights in Lost Valley, including the incomparable Eden Falls pictured here. The whole place is like a dream.
- Sam’s Throne (near Mt. Judea)
Flickr/Granger Meador Located on Judea Mountain and overlooking Big Creek Valley, Sam’s Throne is a unique formation that is popular with rock climbers. No worries if you’re not much of a climber, though. It’s gorgeous no matter how you view it.
- Blanchard Spring (near Mountain View)
Flickr/AR Nature Gal Blanchard Springs Caverns are popular and we’ve mentioned them before, but let’s not overlook the spring that the caverns are named for. It’s serene and gorgeous, and you’ll find waterfalls while exploring it.
- Pam’s Grotto (near Haw Creek Campground)
Flickr/Jonathan Ball Tucked away in a grotto on a path surrounded by gorgeous bluffs, the trail you’ll take to see this truly amazing waterfall is only about a half-mile long.
- White Rock (near Mulberry)
Flickr/Mike Norton Full of structures built by the Civilian Conservations Corps, White Rock Mountain Recreation Area is a step into the past. It’s also a step into some of the most incredible views in the state.
- Pedestal Rocks (Pelsor)
Flickr/Granger Meador Pedestal Rocks Trail is a 2.2 mile loop that takes you through some of the coolest, most unique rock formations in Arkansas. They’re old, they’re tall, and they’re lessons in Arkansas geology, written in stone.
- Spainhour Falls (Farris Springs)
Flickr/Jonathan Ball This unique waterfall is an incredible place to visit. It’s set on gorgeous and little-known Spadra Creek, just ten miles from Clarksville.
- Whitaker Point (near Ponca)
Flickr/Granger Meador This place is also called Hawksbill Crag, because that’s what it looks like. The hike to Whitaker Point is three miles round trip, and it’s well worth it to get to the spot in Arkansas that’s been called “The Best Place To Get Kissed In Arkansas,” and was featured in the movie Tuck Everlasting.
- Haw Creek Falls (Pelsor)
Flickr/Granger Meador There’s a convenient recreation area named after these falls. From the campground it’s a 4.7 mile moderate hike to the gorgeous falls.
- Shores Lake (near Mulberry)
Flickr/jasonlumpkin Shores Lake is located near White Rock Mountain, and it’s a great place to play for a weekend. It has a swimming beach, is stocked for fishing, and there are plenty of campsites where you can stay.
- Richland Creek (near Witts)
Flickr/latteda We’ve already talked about how the Richland Creek Wilderness Area is basically a waterfall paradise, but let’s not overlook the creek itself. It’s one of the most scenic creeks in Arkansas, and it’s a perfect place to soak your feet and listen to the creek babble.
- Trees (Everywhere)
Flickr/Matthew Peoples No really, the trees in the Ozark National Forest are wonders all on their own, and with 1.2 million acres of them, you’re sure to find wonder everywhere.
To find the best waterfall paradise in Arkansas and one of the most scenic places in the world, see this article.
Flickr/AR Nature Gal
Located in the Buffalo National River area, Lost Valley is a fantastic place to hike and it’s full of hidden wonders. You’ll find tons of gorgeous sights in Lost Valley, including the incomparable Eden Falls pictured here. The whole place is like a dream.
Flickr/Granger Meador
Located on Judea Mountain and overlooking Big Creek Valley, Sam’s Throne is a unique formation that is popular with rock climbers. No worries if you’re not much of a climber, though. It’s gorgeous no matter how you view it.
Blanchard Springs Caverns are popular and we’ve mentioned them before, but let’s not overlook the spring that the caverns are named for. It’s serene and gorgeous, and you’ll find waterfalls while exploring it.
Flickr/Jonathan Ball
Tucked away in a grotto on a path surrounded by gorgeous bluffs, the trail you’ll take to see this truly amazing waterfall is only about a half-mile long.
Flickr/Mike Norton
Full of structures built by the Civilian Conservations Corps, White Rock Mountain Recreation Area is a step into the past. It’s also a step into some of the most incredible views in the state.
Pedestal Rocks Trail is a 2.2 mile loop that takes you through some of the coolest, most unique rock formations in Arkansas. They’re old, they’re tall, and they’re lessons in Arkansas geology, written in stone.
This unique waterfall is an incredible place to visit. It’s set on gorgeous and little-known Spadra Creek, just ten miles from Clarksville.
This place is also called Hawksbill Crag, because that’s what it looks like. The hike to Whitaker Point is three miles round trip, and it’s well worth it to get to the spot in Arkansas that’s been called “The Best Place To Get Kissed In Arkansas,” and was featured in the movie Tuck Everlasting.
There’s a convenient recreation area named after these falls. From the campground it’s a 4.7 mile moderate hike to the gorgeous falls.
Flickr/jasonlumpkin
Shores Lake is located near White Rock Mountain, and it’s a great place to play for a weekend. It has a swimming beach, is stocked for fishing, and there are plenty of campsites where you can stay.
Flickr/latteda
We’ve already talked about how the Richland Creek Wilderness Area is basically a waterfall paradise, but let’s not overlook the creek itself. It’s one of the most scenic creeks in Arkansas, and it’s a perfect place to soak your feet and listen to the creek babble.
Flickr/Matthew Peoples
No really, the trees in the Ozark National Forest are wonders all on their own, and with 1.2 million acres of them, you’re sure to find wonder everywhere.
For more hidden gems, click here.
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