Cedar Falls Guide Before Visiting 2026 Updated (Conway County, AR)

Cedar Falls is a waterfall in Conway County, Arkansas, about 8.6 miles south of Atkins. This guide covers what to check, bring and expect before you go, using visitor ratings, official USGS records and live conditions for this exact location.

At a glance

Location

Conway County, AR

Nearest town

Atkins (8.6 mi)

Visitor rating

★★★★★ 4.7 from 73 reviews

Crowds

Moderate

Access

Short hike likely

Coordinates

35.12147, -92.93378

USGS topo

Adona quad

Getting there

Cedar Falls sits about 8.6 miles south of Atkins in Conway County. Navigate to the coordinates 35.12147, -92.93378, which mark the waterfall itself; the trailhead or parking area may be some distance away. Visitors reach it on foot by trail. Check the current trail map for distance and elevation before you go.

Open directions in Google Maps or Apple Maps, or view the map on the Cedar Falls listing. Navigation apps sometimes route onto seasonal forest roads, so check road status if you are heading into the mountains.

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.

What to bring

This checklist is tailored to Cedar Falls based on what visitors report and the conditions typical of Arkansas. For the complete list, see our waterfall hike packing guide.

• Offline map and coordinates. Save 35.12147, -92.93378 and download offline maps; cell service is often weak near waterfalls.
• Shoes with real grip. Rock near falling water stays wet and slick even in dry weather.
• Water and a snack. More than you think you need, even for a short walk.
• A light rain layer. Spray from the falls and quick-moving showers can soak you.
• Camera and a small tripod. Visitors have shared 463 photos of it; a tripod lets you shoot silky water in low light.
• Headlamp. In case your visit runs later than planned; check sunset time in the conditions panel above.

How to prepare

Timing

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. 73 Google reviews suggest steady but manageable traffic outside peak weekends.

Safety

Stay behind railings and off wet rock, never climb on the falls, and keep children within arm's reach near the water. Check the weather panel above for flood or storm alerts before you set out; water levels can rise fast after upstream rain. Our waterfall safety guide covers the most common hazards.

Respect the place

Pack out everything you bring, stay on established paths to limit erosion, and leave rocks and plants where they are. See Leave No Trace at waterfalls.

What visitors say

Cedar Falls holds a 4.7-star average across 73 Google reviews, and 77% of reviewers give it five stars. That makes it the most reviewed waterfall in Conway County. Visitors have shared 463 photos.

The topics that come up most in reviews: hike to waterfallpeaceful getawaytrekoverlookwater flowviewlocationwaterfallhike

See the rating breakdown or read reviews on Google.

History of the area

Cedar Falls was entered in the Geographic Names Information System on April 30, 1980, and it appears on the USGS Adona 7.5-minute topographic map.

Its neighbors on the map tell the story of the surrounding land: Lake Bailey (reservoir, 0.8 mi), Petit Jean State Park Lake (reservoir, 0.8 mi), Lake Jeannette (reservoir, 0.9 mi), and Roosevelt Lake (reservoir, 1.3 mi).

Arkansas River Valley and Ouachita Edge. Between the Ozarks and the Ouachitas, the Arkansas River valley is interrupted by isolated mesas and ridges. The best known is Petit Jean Mountain in Conway County, where Cedar Falls drops into a sandstone box canyon below Petit Jean State Park. The trail to the base climbs steeply on the return, and an overlook offers a view from above for those who prefer not to make the descent. To the south, Perry County reaches into the northern edge of the Ouachita Mountains, whose east-west ridges hold smaller seasonal drops such as Sausmann Falls.

Nearby waterfalls to add to your trip

Summary

Cedar Falls about 8.6 miles south of Atkins is rated 4.7 out of 5 by 73 visitors. Check the live forecast and stream gauge above, save the coordinates for offline use, and pack for wet, uneven ground. Ratings, hours and access can change, so confirm conditions with the land manager before you drive out.

See the full Cedar Falls listing for the map, photos and nearby landmarks.