If you’d like to feel like a rugged Arkansas adventurer, but without the commitment to traversing miles of endless trails, it’s time to tackle the Murray and Senyard Falls Trail. The challenging, yet pleasantly short, Arkansas hike will quickly reward your efforts with two unbelievably beautiful waterfalls.
Let’s take on this trail to see the falls. Because of the downhill terrain, we do not recommend this trail for children. For those with younger kids or newbie hikers searching for waterfalls near me, these hikes are sure to satisfy!
This is a short and sweet waterfall hike in Arkansas, but admittedly, it’s not the easiest or most accessible trail.
Google/Brett Hurst While it only takes 0.7 miles to reach the falls, it’s a fairly steep scramble to get there. From the Cherry Bend Recreation Area, look for the path behind the bulletin board. Turn right once you’ve reached the bluff to head (steeply) downhill. This will take you to the Mountain Fork Creek drainage. You’ll just need to follow it downstream to reach the first waterfall.
Depending on what season you take the trail, both waterfalls can be viewed at the same time!
Google/Brett Hurst The heavy rains of spring ensure full force waterfalls but that’s not the only time to take the trail. The leaf-off seasons allows you to see both waterfalls through the trees and makes the hike easier to navigate. This is definitely a trail you’ll want to come back and revisit.
Both waterfalls can be found off of the Cherry Bend Trailhead.
Google/Ginette Dawson Cherry Bend is part of the Ozark Highlands trail but this double waterfall hike is a short alternative to the 100+ mile trail. You’ll come across Cherry Bend Recreation Area while traveling the Pig Trail, use this map for directions.
Senyard Falls is further down the creek.
AllTrails/Miranda Kohout You’ll need to cross the creek to continue downhill, so make sure the water isn’t too high before doing so. After a few yards you’ll arrive at the top of Senyard Falls. Roy Senyard Falls is 29-ft. high and just as gorgeous as Murray Falls. After taking plenty of photos and a well deserved rest, follow the creek uphill to return to the rec area.
Murrary Falls will be the first waterfall along the trail.
Facebook/Keep Arkansas Beautiful The 37-foot falls is named for Dick Murray and it’s pretty spectacular. The trail will take you to the top of the falls so take extra caution while continuing downhill for your photos.
We would love to hear about your adventure along this trail in the comments below! You can also share your photos with us in our Facebook Group, Arkansas Nature Lovers. You should join for your chance to be featured and to discover why there’s nothing better than Arkansas’ stunning nature.
Google/Brett Hurst
While it only takes 0.7 miles to reach the falls, it’s a fairly steep scramble to get there. From the Cherry Bend Recreation Area, look for the path behind the bulletin board. Turn right once you’ve reached the bluff to head (steeply) downhill. This will take you to the Mountain Fork Creek drainage. You’ll just need to follow it downstream to reach the first waterfall.
The heavy rains of spring ensure full force waterfalls but that’s not the only time to take the trail. The leaf-off seasons allows you to see both waterfalls through the trees and makes the hike easier to navigate. This is definitely a trail you’ll want to come back and revisit.
Google/Ginette Dawson
Cherry Bend is part of the Ozark Highlands trail but this double waterfall hike is a short alternative to the 100+ mile trail. You’ll come across Cherry Bend Recreation Area while traveling the Pig Trail, use this map for directions.
AllTrails/Miranda Kohout
You’ll need to cross the creek to continue downhill, so make sure the water isn’t too high before doing so. After a few yards you’ll arrive at the top of Senyard Falls. Roy Senyard Falls is 29-ft. high and just as gorgeous as Murray Falls. After taking plenty of photos and a well deserved rest, follow the creek uphill to return to the rec area.
Facebook/Keep Arkansas Beautiful
The 37-foot falls is named for Dick Murray and it’s pretty spectacular. The trail will take you to the top of the falls so take extra caution while continuing downhill for your photos.
Still searching for waterfalls near me? We thought you might be — we have an insatiable appetite for waterfall chasing, too! Here’s a waterfall road trip through Arkansas that’s sure to satisfy your waterfall wanderlust…
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Address: Cherry Bend Recreation Area, Ozark, AR 72949, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls near me July 06, 2022 Sarah M. What are the best waterfall hikes in Arkansas? If the above hike at Cherry Bend Recreation Area whet your appetite for waterfall hikes in the Natural State (and how could it not, with not one, but two fabulous falls along the trail?!), you’ll want to check out this list of bucket-list worthy waterfall hikes in Arkansas. Among the trails covered in the roundup, we’re especially fond of the hike to Blanchard Springs Falls. Within the wondrous wilds of the Arkansas Ozarks, you’ll find the Blanchard Springs Caverns National Park and the eponymous Blanchard Springs Falls are its crown jewel. The 4.7-mile hike is the perfect length for a day trek, and the cerulean-blue waterfall-fed pool at the base of the falls makes for the loveliest incentive to complete this moderate trail. After your hike, you can even stay and explore the titular caverns in this unique part of the state! Are there any no-hike waterfalls in Arkansas? There are! We get it – some days, you just want to enjoy the beauty and wonder of a waterfall… minus the chase. On those days, let the following no-hike waterfalls in Arkansas fuel your wanderlust. Some of our favorite no-hike, easy-access waterfalls in Arkansas include Little Missouri Falls, Haw Creek Falls, Natural Dam Falls, High Bank Twin Falls, Marble Falls, and Falling Water Falls. In fact, Falling Water Falls isn’t just a beautiful easy-access waterfall in Arkansas; it’s also a celebrated waterfall swimming hole during the heat of the summer, with its cerulean-blue waters offering a little R&R for those willing to take the plunge.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Waterfalls near me
July 06, 2022
Sarah M.
What are the best waterfall hikes in Arkansas? If the above hike at Cherry Bend Recreation Area whet your appetite for waterfall hikes in the Natural State (and how could it not, with not one, but two fabulous falls along the trail?!), you’ll want to check out this list of bucket-list worthy waterfall hikes in Arkansas. Among the trails covered in the roundup, we’re especially fond of the hike to Blanchard Springs Falls. Within the wondrous wilds of the Arkansas Ozarks, you’ll find the Blanchard Springs Caverns National Park and the eponymous Blanchard Springs Falls are its crown jewel. The 4.7-mile hike is the perfect length for a day trek, and the cerulean-blue waterfall-fed pool at the base of the falls makes for the loveliest incentive to complete this moderate trail. After your hike, you can even stay and explore the titular caverns in this unique part of the state! Are there any no-hike waterfalls in Arkansas? There are! We get it – some days, you just want to enjoy the beauty and wonder of a waterfall… minus the chase. On those days, let the following no-hike waterfalls in Arkansas fuel your wanderlust. Some of our favorite no-hike, easy-access waterfalls in Arkansas include Little Missouri Falls, Haw Creek Falls, Natural Dam Falls, High Bank Twin Falls, Marble Falls, and Falling Water Falls. In fact, Falling Water Falls isn’t just a beautiful easy-access waterfall in Arkansas; it’s also a celebrated waterfall swimming hole during the heat of the summer, with its cerulean-blue waters offering a little R&R for those willing to take the plunge.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
If the above hike at Cherry Bend Recreation Area whet your appetite for waterfall hikes in the Natural State (and how could it not, with not one, but two fabulous falls along the trail?!), you’ll want to check out this list of bucket-list worthy waterfall hikes in Arkansas. Among the trails covered in the roundup, we’re especially fond of the hike to Blanchard Springs Falls. Within the wondrous wilds of the Arkansas Ozarks, you’ll find the Blanchard Springs Caverns National Park and the eponymous Blanchard Springs Falls are its crown jewel. The 4.7-mile hike is the perfect length for a day trek, and the cerulean-blue waterfall-fed pool at the base of the falls makes for the loveliest incentive to complete this moderate trail. After your hike, you can even stay and explore the titular caverns in this unique part of the state!
Are there any no-hike waterfalls in Arkansas?
There are! We get it – some days, you just want to enjoy the beauty and wonder of a waterfall… minus the chase. On those days, let the following no-hike waterfalls in Arkansas fuel your wanderlust. Some of our favorite no-hike, easy-access waterfalls in Arkansas include Little Missouri Falls, Haw Creek Falls, Natural Dam Falls, High Bank Twin Falls, Marble Falls, and Falling Water Falls. In fact, Falling Water Falls isn’t just a beautiful easy-access waterfall in Arkansas; it’s also a celebrated waterfall swimming hole during the heat of the summer, with its cerulean-blue waters offering a little R&R for those willing to take the plunge.