Lost Valley Trail

The Lost Valley Trail packs an extraordinary concentration of geological and natural wonders into just two miles, making it one of the most rewarding short hikes in the entire National Park System. The trail follows Clark Creek through a limestone canyon to Eden Falls, a beautiful multi-tiered waterfall that drops into a cool, fern-draped pool. Behind the falls, the trail enters an extended cave passage that requires crouching and ends in a large cavern chamber hung with formations. A natural stone arch visible from the trail adds yet another geological feature to the remarkable collection.

Cob Cave, encountered near the trailhead, is a massive bluff shelter used by prehistoric peoples and later by nineteenth-century settlers; the interior is cool and spacious, offering a dramatic view of the canyon framed by the arch of the overhang. The creek bottom forest of sycamore, box elder, and sugar maple creates deep shade in summer and brilliant fall color in October. The trail gains elevation gradually along the canyon floor before climbing more steeply to the falls. This is consistently rated as one of the top family hikes in Arkansas, and it is difficult to disagree: the concentration of dramatic features in such a short distance is genuinely exceptional.