#waterfalls
Trail Riding at Mack’s Pines
Today I’m going to break away from my usual topics and write about something a little different. Today’s story is about one of the funnest days I’ve ever had out in the woods. (is “funnest” a word?…is it “most fun”?) That would be the day I went ATV trail riding at Mack’s Pines in the Ozarks. Now, I don’t often write stories involving commercial businesses (free plugs). I should also note this is not a paid or sponsored post. But hey, it’s my blog so I’m allowed to break the rules. Call it Mack’s lucky day. I don’t have my own ATV and had never done this before. I was with a group of buddies on our annual Big Piney – Longpool Camping weekend. A few of the guys brought side-by-sides and 4-wheelers and ...
Hiking to Eden Falls at Lost Valley
December. It’s that time of year when most folks aren’t thinking about getting out for a hike. There’s Christmas shopping to do and parties to attend. And for a lot of people, it’s just too damn cold out there! Or is it? Although I’m really not a cold-weather person, some of my favorite hikes have been in the winter. I learned this years ago while hiking to Eden Falls at Lost Valley. It was 3 days before New Years. I had some time off from work and really needed some nature therapy. But…it was 28 degrees outside! If you know me, you know that I despise Winter. Hate it. I’m a warm-weather person all the way. But I reeeeally needed to get outside. So I layered up, packed water and lunch, and hit the road. The plan: Drive to Ponca and hike whatever I ...
Petit Jean State Park – Cedar Creek Trail
Welcome to Part Four of the Petit Jean State Park hiking series, the Cedar Creek Trail. Petit Jean is Arkansas’ first state park. It’s also one of my go-to spots when I want a spur-of-the-moment, close to home day hike. It’s great because there are so many options there. Whether you want waterfalls, vista views, caves, or cool rock formations, Petit Jean has it all. If you missed Part One, I covered the most popular hike in the park. That would the Cedar Falls Trail, with it’s massive grotto and 90-ft Waterfall. Cedar Creek is what actually creates Cedar Falls. So the trail explores areas above the falls on both sides of the creek. This is a great hike to do if you want to avoid the crowds at the Falls. Or if you’ve done the other trails and want to see someth...
Petit Jean State Park – Seven Hollows Trail
Welcome to Part Two of the Petit Jean State Park hiking series, the Seven Hollows Trail. Petit Jean is Arkansas’ first state park. It’s also one of my go-to spots when I want a spur-of-the-moment, close to home day hike. It’s great because there are so many options there. Whether you want waterfalls, vista views, caves, or cool rock formations, Petit Jean has it all. If you missed Part One, I covered the most popular hike in the park. That would the Cedar Falls Trail, with it’s massive grotto and 90-ft Waterfall. In my opinion, the Seven Hollows trail is just as impressive in it’s own way. There is actually MORE to see. It also has a grotto and waterfall. But in addition to that, you’ll see lots of impressive bluffs, a natural bridge, several caves, and ...
Petit Jean State Park – Cedar Falls Trail
You can’t have an outdoors blog in Arkansas without giving some serious attention to Petit Jean State Park. It is Arkansas’ first state park. It’s also one of my go-to spots when I want a spur-of-the-moment, close to home day hike. It’s great because there are so many options there. Whether you want waterfalls, vista views, caves, or cool rock formations, Petit Jean has it all. And that’s just the hiking part. There is also a lake, car museum, full hookup campgrounds, cabins, restaurant, and Mather Lodge. Trying to fit it all into one post will make for a really long read. So this will be another blog series. Part One – You know it has to be the flagship trail. One of the most popular trails in the state. The ever-popular… Cedar Falls Trail Petit J...
Take a Dip at Falling Water Falls
In my first blog series, Big Piney Forest Waterfall Hikes, I wrote about my first visit to Falling Water Falls. On that visit, I was not prepared for a swim there. But in that story, I vowed to go back to take a dip at Falling Water Falls and do a follow-up post. So here it is. This is actually the third and final part to a series for a group waterfall hike. In case you missed the first two parts, we started the day at Pack Rat Falls near Haw Creek. The second stop of the day took us on a hike to Pam’s Grotto. It was a relatively mild day for July. But after a couple of hikes, we were all hot and tired and ready to cool off. So we made our way back across Hwy 7 to take a dip at Falling Water Falls. As much as the group enjoyed the two hikes, I think everyone was really looking forwar...
Hike to Pam’s Grotto near Haw Creek
This hike to Pam’s Grotto is part 2 of a waterfall group hike series. In case you missed part one, I wrote in that post about how some friends saw my first pics of Falling Water Falls and wanted to do a group hike. So I researched a few spots for us to hike and see some waterfalls. We started the day off with a short hike to Pack Rat Falls at Haw Creek Recreation Area. I had read about Pam’s Grotto and finally figured out where the trail is. It’s actually very close to Haw Creek. So this was a perfect spot to take a large group and not have to drive much between stops. Once we finished up at Pack Rat, we headed back down Hwy 123 to find the trail for Pam’s Grotto. Quick Glance Distance: Approximately 1 mile round-trip Difficulty: Easy to Moderate Parking Coordinates...
Hike to Pack Rat Falls in the Big Piney Forest
In my very first blog post about Haw Creek Falls , I promised to do a follow-up story on a hike to Pack Rat Falls. Well, here it is. After some friends saw my pics of Falling Water Falls, we decided to organize a group hike. So I researched a few spots for us to hike and see some waterfalls. I knew I wanted to return to Haw Creek and find Pack Rat Falls. And I had read great things about Pam’s Grotto, which is very close to Haw Creek. I also knew I had to return to Falling Water Falls – this time prepared to swim. So this was a perfect spot for a day hiking trip with a large group. And just like my very first post, this is another three-part series where I’ll feature each stop of the day. Our first stop of the day was a quick hike to Pack Rat Falls. Quick Glance Distance:...
Hiking to Longpool Falls on Big Piney Creek
Today’s blog post has us hiking to Longpool Falls on Big Piney Creek in the Piney Forest District of the Ozarks. This is a massive Grotto and a really nice waterfall when the water is flowing well. It is a short drive from Russellville, and is a relatively easy hike. I have an annual camping trip with some friends at Longpool Campground. We have done this short hike several times and it’s always great. If you have not been here before, you definitely need to have this one on your list. Directions From I-40, take the Highway 7 exit to Dover. About 10 miles north of Dover turn off Highway 7 on to Highway. From there follow the signs to Long pool Campground. If you get lost, the nice Folks at Moore’s Outdoors Outfitters can help you out. Once you are inside Longpool Ca...
Falling Water Falls – An AR Natural Swimming hole
Welcome to Part 3 of the Big Piney Forest Waterfall Day Hike Series – Falling Water Falls. This one is the last stop of a day trip spent hiking in the Big Piney Forest near Pelsor. In you missed the first 2 installments, Part 1 was the first leg of our day trip, Haw Creek Falls. And Part 2 was a hike to Kings Bluff Falls. So be sure to check out those stories for more info, maps, and pics. Our final stop of the day was my first visit ever to Falling Water Falls. This is a popular and highly-photographed waterfall and swimming area that you’ve probably seen on Instagram, Facebook, and other places. It’s so photogenic that it even made it onto the header image for some of the pages on this site. If you are ever hiking in this area in the summer, this is the best p...
Hike to Kings Bluff Falls
Welcome back! This is Part 2 of a series of my first Ozark Waterfall hikes. This is the second stop on a day trip spent hiking in the Big Piney Forest near Pelsor. If you missed it, Part 1 was the first leg of our day trip at Haw Creek Falls. So be sure to check that out for more info, maps, and pics. Our next stop that day was a hike to Kings Bluff Falls. Directions From Haw Creek, this was a backtrack to Hwy 7. (North on Hwy 7 past Dover to the Sand Gap/Pelsor area). At the intersection at Pelsor Post Office you take a right on Hwy 16 towards Ben Hur. See Google map below for directions to this and Falling Water Falls (Part 3). You will see a sign on the right for Pedestal Rocks / Kings Bluff Falls. Once you park, you’ll find the two trail heads are pretty close togethe...
Waterfall Hiking at Haw Creek Falls
Welcome to AR Own Backyard blog! Here I’ll be blogging about my own hikes, floats, bike rides, and other outdoor excursions. I’ll also blog about gear, cool articles, other sites, and occasionally have guest bloggers share some of their stuff. So subscribe or check back now and then if you like it. Today I want to share one of my first hiking trips in the Big Piney Forest in the Ozarks. This will be part 1 in a series of a day hiking waterfalls in the Big Piney Forest. Part 1 is waterfall hiking at Haw Creek Falls. Quite a few years ago I started to get serious about hiking and exploring some of the scenic places around the state that I kept seeing pictures of. Hundreds of waterfalls can be found in the Ozark and Ouachita mountains. My hiking buddy and old college friend, ...
