Hiking the Lost Valley Trail - Buffalo National River, Arkansas
It may seem quite odd at first glance that a river is managed by the National Park Service, but when you delve deeper into the intriguing history of the surrounding area, you will discover that the Buffalo River holds a significant distinction as the very first river to be officially designated as a national river in the United States. The Lost Valley Trail is one of the most popular trails in Arkansas, so we immediately knew we had to find out what all the fuss was about.
After getting a late start for the hour drive to the trailhead from Eureka Springs, my expectations for a hike in solitude were pretty low. As we pulled into the expansive gravel parking lot however, my excitement grew as only one vehicle was parked at the trailhead! Let’s go!!
The Lost Valley Trail gently winds along a wide path sprinkled with information signs and an occasional bench to rest as you take in the views of the Clark Creek. We explored this beautiful area in early fall and, unfortunately, the ongoing drought was still significantly minimizing our glimpse of the true magnificence of what this hike would have to offer when completed in early spring. Regardless of the lack of water in the creek, or plunging down the cliffs from the springs at the waterfall, this hike is gorgeous any time of year! You will undoubtedly see diverse flora and fauna as you explore.
Perhaps the most exciting and captivating part of the meandering trail begins after you encounter a sign directing you to the alluring ‘natural bridge.’ This particular section can be quite strenuous and challenging for some hikers, so wearing sturdy, supportive shoes is an absolute must. In the spring season, an emerald-blue pool of crystal-clear water is found at the base of the small but enchanting waterfall gracefully flowing out from the natural bridge. In the fall, when we hiked, the area was nearly dry - save for a small portion of stagnant water left to navigate. I highly recommend taking the Natural Bridge route - your efforts will be rewarded as you enter the cave and scramble over large boulders. The route is super fun!
Aaron starts down the path towards the Natural Bridge section…
Once you’re through the natural bridge you’ll continue on the easy path and soon will encounter a 200’ bluff shelter known as Cob Cave. After reading the fascinating history via the the informational sign, we quickly pushed on as we wanted to explore the cave at Eden Falls. The trail leading to the falls is rugged and steep, make sure you pay attention to where you place your steps! Now the super fun part - exploring a 200 foot cave which gives way to a 25’ waterfall inside! In our case, after negotiating the tricky cave depths we were met with just a trickle of water. Make sure you bring a headlamp as you’ll want the use of both hands as you explore.
This hike has a little of everything, it’s a 2.3 mile stroll, climb, scramble, bear crawl, and even ‘the worm’ wiggling on our bellies into the depths of the cave. The adventure makes you feel like an American Ninja Warrior and is a blast! The cool air within the cave offered a brief respite from the 80+ degree temps outside. After exploring a bit - we headed back down to hike to the base of the falls. We were surprised to see the base a haven for blue butterflys. They were everywhere and fun to photograph - along with the frogs and spiders. Even in early fall we were able to tip our faces up to the drip of the waterfall after climbing the rock face. This hike is so cool!
Caution : According to the National Park Service, Search and Rescue personnel are routinely called to this trail for falls, trips, and slips along the hazardous bluff areas. Ensure you bring shoes that provide a good grip when the surfaces are wet, a reliable headlamp for visibility in low light conditions, and if you decide to explore the area further, be sure to go slow and take your time!
