10 Best Waterfalls in Arkansas (2026 Updated)
Of the 12 named waterfalls in Arkansas, these 10 earn the strongest visitor ratings, led by Falling Water Falls, Eden Falls, and Bridal Veil Falls. The list spans the Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River, White River Hills, and Arkansas River Valley and Ouachita Edge.
How We Picked
We ranked the 9 publicly accessible Arkansas waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Remaining spots go to falls with documented USGS history. Every waterfall links to a full page with coordinates, maps and nearby falls.
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1. Falling Water Falls
Marshall, AR · Pope County · Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River
Why it made the list
It is the most reviewed waterfall in Arkansas, holding 4.8 stars across 345 Google reviews. 89% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 5 named falls in the Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River region. The nearest town is Marshall, about 22 miles to the northeast.
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2. Eden Falls
Jasper, AR · Newton County · Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 2nd most reviewed in the state, with 132 reviews. 84% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 5 named falls in the Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River region. The nearest town is Jasper, about 11 miles to the east.
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3. Bridal Veil Falls
Heber Springs, AR · Cleburne County · White River Hills
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 3rd most reviewed in the state, with 119 reviews. 82% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention steep trail, lookout, walk to the bottom, and peaceful atmosphere. It is one of 5 named falls in the White River Hills region. The nearest town is Heber Springs, about 1.6 miles to the north.
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4. Cedar Falls
Atkins, AR · Conway County · Arkansas River Valley and Ouachita Edge
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 4th most reviewed in the state, with 73 reviews. 77% of reviewers give it five stars. Reviews most often mention hike to waterfall, peaceful getaway, trek, and overlook. It is one of 2 named falls in the Arkansas River Valley and Ouachita Edge region. The nearest town is Atkins, about 8.6 miles to the north.
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5. Spainhour Falls
Clarksville, AR · Johnson County · Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.7-star Google rating and is the 5th most reviewed in the state, with 30 reviews. 83% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 5 named falls in the Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River region. The nearest town is Clarksville, about 10 miles to the south.
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6. Saddler Falls
Cherokee Village, AR · Fulton County · White River Hills
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.5-star Google rating and is the 6th most reviewed in the state, with 24 reviews. 75% of reviewers give it five stars. It is one of 5 named falls in the White River Hills region. Cottonwood Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Cherokee Village, about 8.4 miles to the south.
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7. Cottonwood Falls
Cherokee Village, AR · Fulton County · White River Hills
Why it made the list
It holds a 4.0-star Google rating and is the 8th most reviewed in the state, with 9 reviews. It is one of 5 named falls in the White River Hills region. Saddler Falls is only 0.3 miles away, so the two are easy to pair in one outing. The nearest town is Cherokee Village, about 8.6 miles to the south.
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8. Marble Falls
Jasper, AR · Newton County · Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River
Why it made the list
It holds a 2.2-star Google rating and is the 9th most reviewed in the state, with 5 reviews. It is one of 5 named falls in the Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River region. The nearest town is Jasper, about 7.3 miles to the southwest.
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9. Sausmann Falls
Perryville, AR · Perry County · Arkansas River Valley and Ouachita Edge
Why it made the list
It holds a 2.9-star Google rating and is the 7th most reviewed in the state, with 15 reviews. It is one of 2 named falls in the Arkansas River Valley and Ouachita Edge region. The nearest town is Perryville, about 7.5 miles to the north.
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10. Lay Falls
Yellville, AR · Marion County · Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River
Why it made the list
It is one of 5 named falls in the Boston Mountains and the Buffalo River region. The nearest town is Yellville, about 10 miles to the north.
When to Visit Arkansas's Waterfalls
Spring is the heart of Arkansas waterfall season. Ozark creeks are rain-fed, and the period from roughly February through May usually brings the steadiest storms, when even minor hollows produce falls that are dry the rest of the year. Many local hikers time trips to arrive within a day or two after a good soaking rain. By midsummer the heat and humidity are heavy, ticks and chiggers are active, and flows drop sharply; late summer and early fall are commonly the driest months. Autumn foliage in the Boston Mountains typically peaks in late October to early November, and a wet fall can pair color with running water. Winter offers clear views through bare trees, and a hard cold snap occasionally freezes smaller falls into ice formations, though such conditions rarely last long.
Before You Go
Most of the better-known falls lie on public land managed by the Ozark National Forest, the Buffalo National River, or Arkansas State Parks such as Petit Jean. Several smaller falls in Fulton, Perry and Independence counties are on or near private property, so verify access before visiting. Many trailheads are reached by gravel county or forest roads that can be rough, and low-water crossings become impassable when creeks are running high, which is exactly when the falls are best. Cell coverage is unreliable in the deeper hollows. Main hazards include slick moss-covered sandstone, steep unmaintained paths to the bases of falls, sudden creek rises during heavy rain, and ticks in warm months. Swimming in plunge pools is common in summer, but flows can be powerful after storms.
Read our waterfall safety rules and packing list before heading out.
Explore More Arkansas Waterfalls
See all 12 waterfalls in the Arkansas waterfall guide, or browse by town: Marshall, Jasper, Heber Springs, Atkins, Clarksville, Cherokee Village, Perryville, Yellville.
More Arkansas Waterfall Lists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfall in Arkansas?
Falling Water Falls tops our 2026 list, with a 4.8-star rating from 345 Google reviews. It is near Marshall in Pope County.
How was this list made?
We ranked the 9 publicly accessible Arkansas waterfalls with at least five Google reviews by a weighted rating that balances score against review volume, so a 4.9 from a dozen reviewers counts for less than a 4.8 from thousands. Remaining spots go to falls with documented USGS history.
How many waterfalls are in Arkansas?
Our directory lists 12 named waterfalls in Arkansas. See them all, sorted by town, in the Arkansas waterfall guide.
What is the most visited waterfall in Arkansas?
Among the falls in our directory, Falling Water Falls in Pope County has the most reviews, followed by Eden Falls in the Lost Valley area of the Buffalo National River and Bridal Veil Falls near Heber Springs.