Now is the time of year that the waterfall hunters seem to be out in full force. So I am continuing on with my recent waterfall theme today. We have a nice variety of waterfalls here in Arkansas. Short to tall, with or without grottos, free-falling or cascading, they are all unique. One of the most unique though, is Glory Hole Falls. It is a stream that has eroded its way through the top of a grotto to form a hole all the way through the stone. The waterfall doesn’t flow over the top of the grotto like most falls – it flows through it. If you are a waterfall hunter in Arkansas, hiking to Glory Hole Falls has to be on your to-do list.
Located near the headwaters of the Upper Buffalo in the Big Piney Ranger District, it’s in the middle of the most waterfall dense area of the state. So it’s very easy to include this one in a tour with other falls in the area. But it is also long enough and interesting enough to stand on its own. And it’s well worth the drive.
Quick Glance
Distance: Approximately 2 miles round-trip
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Parking Coordinates: 35.828397, -93.390625
Trailhead: 35.828394, -93.390347
Glory Hole Falls: 35.822051, -93.393522
Directions
Glory Holes Falls is located off Hwy 16/21, 7 miles Northeast of the Fallsville (how appropriate) community. The trailhead for this hike used to be kind of hard to find. But due to its popularity, it is much easier now. Just look for an oddly placed group of cars on the side of the highway. The increase in visitors has also helped it’s presence on Google maps with searches, image uploads, etc. If you follow my map below, it will take you straight to the parking spot for the trailhead.
What to Expect
It is an out-and-back trail, only 1.8 miles round trip. That is 0.9 miles all downhill, and 0.9 miles all uphill coming back. Hiking to Glory Hole Falls is not terribly hard. It is rated as moderate. The trail is clean, well-marked, and not too rocky. Walking up the trail out of the valley will get your heart rate up for sure. But there are much harder hikes in the area.
So what to expect? Well, obviously there is the spectacle of a forest stream drilling its way through a giant rock. That alone is worth the drive. But this hike is not a one-trick pony. The trail starts off as an old ATV trail at the top of a hill and winds its way down to the valley. About halfway, the trail meets up with the creek that forms the falls. Then it runs alongside the creek the rest of the way. There are one or two smaller grottos with falls along the creek that are pretty nice. I’ve included some pics of those below.
Once the creek reaches the top of the Glory Hole grotto, it’s easy to find the hole where the stream flows through. DO NOT get too close to it! The rocks here are slick and you do not want to fall through that hole. The trail breaks away off to the right and wraps around to the bottom of the grotto. It’s not until you reach the bottom that you realize just how huge this grotto is. It is enormous! You can easily walk up inside the grotto and stand under the water falling through the hole. The water doesn’t really pool up much. It just kind of trickles off to form a creek that runs off into the forest.
On my visit, I explored the creek down below the grotto a little bit before heading back up. On my way out, I explored more of the creek above the falls. There was just something really peaceful about the whole area. I don’t know, maybe it was the silence of nature being broken only by the sound of rushing water from the creek. Maybe it was the chill in the March air being expelled by the mid-day sun. Whatever it was, I didn’t want to leave. But after a short nap by the creek and an empty stomach, it was time to find lunch. And the Ozone Burger Barn was calling my name.
Beyond the Falls
Years later I would return to take my brother and nephew on a hike here. For that trip, we spent a little more time exploring the area down the creek from the falls. A massive bluff lines the left side of the canyon, overlooking the creek below. Under this bluff lies a decent trail where you can see some pretty amazing rock features. Between the bluff and the creek lies a labyrinth of giant boulders to explore. If you don’t mind getting off-trail and doing a little rock-hopping, these boulders are fun to check out. As you get further away from Glory Hole Falls, the trails slowly start to blend into the forest floor and eventually disappear. I’m sure plenty of people have explored further down this creek. But I haven’t really heard anything noteworthy about it. So after a short bushwhack, we made our way back to the trail and hiked out. This is featured in the video below.
Plan Your Trip
Hiking to Glory Hole Falls can be done in less than two hours, possibly even an hour if you hurry. But you don’t want to hurry through this one. Give yourself at least a couple of hours to really enjoy it. I might even pack a lunch the next time I visit. You will want to do this hike when there is at least a little water flowing in the area. The creek that feeds the falls was not that big. I could see it possibly drying up if it goes too long without rain. You might consider planning another hike in the area if you want a full day. The first one that comes to mind is Magnolia Falls because it’s just up the road. It’s a bit of a longer hike if you go to all the falls on that trail. For a shorter hike, you might consider Lost Valley. To see all the waterfalls in the area, check out the Waterfalls in Arkansas map. Click on each one to find links with information.
The trail is pretty easy to figure out without a map. But you must have one, it’s a good idea to print it or download it before you go. The cell service in the area is pretty spotty. Also, there are no restrooms anywhere close. So unless you are cool with “going” in the woods, you might want to take care of that before you get there. This is a dog-friendly trail, so feel free to bring your four-legged hiking partner. That’s pretty much it. Like I always say, remember to pack out any trash you may have and leave no trace. Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints. Hope you enjoy this hike. Happy waterfall hunting!
j dub
hi scoot