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Fayetteville, AR: Indian Creek

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Distance: 2.1 miles


A hidden treasure just off the Buffalo National River, Indian Creek's mossy waterfalls and karst canyon are best explored after heavy rains.
  • Trail in Indian Creek
  • Slick Rocks
  • Small Waterfall
  • Cliff Cascades

To tackle one of Arkansas’s most intensely beautiful hikes, head away from the Buffalo River, over a rise, and then up a narrowing valley of mossy rock and dense hardwoods--and abundant waterfalls, if you time it right. Water spills over nearly every cliff after a good rain.

Follow trails for the first .5 mile to the creek, then turn south. There’s no trail, but follow the worn path. After another .5 mile, the route will become more demanding and require several creek crossings, scrambling over slick rocks, and a traverse over an exposed bluff (or a bushwack above it) at mile 1.3.

This route ends 2.25 miles at Tunnel Cave and Falls. The trail used to travel through the cave to continue up-canyon, but the cave is closed now to protect its inhabitants, endangered gray bats. Getting to the cave is tricky (and beautiful), but if you’re equipped to climb above the cave, the canyon rewards valor with narrowing limestone walls and still more waterfalls.

Our advice: Due to the exposure and slippery rocks, this trip is for adults, not children. Dogs aren’t allowed.

When to go: Summer brings ticks and snakes, so hike after the first freeze through April.

Mapped by Thomas Soerens

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