There is nothing like the drama and beauty of a waterfall at flood stage!

Back on April 4, 2026, following a period of heavy rain, I headed up to northwest Crawford County, Arkansas, to check out Natural Dam Falls. This stunning 187-foot-wide natural rock wall spans the entirety of Mountain Fork Creek.

Typically, like here, you’ll just see some flow at just a few sections of the rock wall.

Not on this morning.

The recent downpours had caused the creek to be roaring! In fact, the volume of water completely covered the low-water bridge on Natural Dam Road just south of the falls.

 Since the road to get across was impassable in that area, I just stayed on the east side (closer to Highway 59).

These are some of the shots I got that morning.

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery.

The post Natural Dam Falls Flood Pics (Ozark Forest) appeared first on Arklahoma Hiker.

This is a cool 2.1-mile segment of the Ouachita Trail Section 4 that is pretty accessible, not difficult climbing, and a good length for a day hike (4.2 miles as out-and-back). It is in both Scott and Montgomery Counties, a little bit east of Y City.

And the rocks and boulders along the way are a treat.

Getting to the Forest Road 48 Trailhead.

There is a trailhead with a small parking area right next to where the trail crosses Forest Road 48.

To get there from the northwest or southwest, turn off of Highway 71 at Y City and head east on Highway 270.

From there you go about 11.7 miles and then turn off the highway on the right onto a gravel road. (Don’t expect any signage here.) This is Scott County Road 375 aka Coachlite Road aka Buck Knob Road.

After about 1.8 miles, there is a split where the Coachlite/Buck Knob Road continuing straight and Forest Road 48 goes to the left. It is just before this split that you should see the FR 48 trailhead on your left. That is the place to park for this day hike.

The Hike

The Ouachita Trail crosses Forest Road 48 near this trailhead (probably within 50 yards). It was pretty well marked when I last walked it.

This segment goes up and then along the north side of most of Rockhouse Mountain. It starts (on the west end) in Scott County, but most of it is in Montgomery County.

There is definitely some climbing on this segment but not a huge amount. The west end of this segment is a little over 1,400 feet above sea level. The east end is just under 1,400 feet. The high point is about 1,630 feet.

All the times I have done this segment it has been nearly or completely leaf-off. There are some pretty views to the north and northeast between the trees during leaf off.

Once you are in the higher elevation area, at times you can see a large west-east ridge to the north which is Mill Creek Mountain. Further on, to the northeast, you can see part of Brushy Creek Mountain fairly close. (The trail heads to that mountain as it goes further to the east.)

I am a big fan of hills and rocks on trails. This segment is not that rocky, but there are a number of nice parts of it with rocks lining the trail and also with medium and large boulders near the trail. These are very enjoyable.

At about 1.7 miles into this segment, the trail makes a left turn and heads downhill (northward) off of Rockhouse Mountain. For the last quarter-mile or so, the trail is on a road trace.

This stretch ends when you get to the junction with Forest Road 813. Watch for the signage. (There is also a sign indicating a Rockhouse Trail. Sometime I would like to check that one out.)

So if you are they hiking it like I did, this is your turnaround spot.

Final Notes

As always on the Ouachita Trail, follow the blue blazes.

The trail was in good condition (thanks to the FoOT volunteer trail maintainers) when we did our hikes in November 2021 and January 2022. I’m not sure the mile markers were all in place, but it was well blazed and pretty easy to follow.

I had AT&T cell signal about 80% of the time.

These photos are mostly from my November 22, 2018 hike. A few are from my more recent hike on January 29, 2022.

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery of these images from my hikes on November 22, 2018 and January 29, 2022.

Map

Last revised: 2-21-2022.

The post Ouachita Trail: 88.2-90.3 – FR 48 to FR 813 on Rockhouse Mtn. (Section 4) appeared first on Arklahoma Hiker.

The 1.9-mile (each way) Ben Geren Paved Bike Trail (Fort Smith, Sebastian County) is a cool mostly wooded multi-use trail for bikes, walkers, and runners.

This is one of a number of walking and bike trails that have been built in the area southeast of Ben Geren Regional Park that was formerly part of Fort Chaffee.

Getting to Ben Geren Trailhead

Ben Geren Regional Park is on Zero Street (Hwy 255) in Fort Smith between Old Greenwood Road to the west and Massard Road to the east.

Once in the park, head toward the playground, then on toward the back of the park. The trailhead is about .7 miles past the playground (past the ball fields).

There is parking at the trailhead.

The Trail

The Paved Bike Trail a pretty easy path to follow. Most of it is wooded which makes it a scenic walk year-round.

The first .7 miles is a pretty easy gradual uphill walk. Then there is a steeper stretch for 1/3 mile that goes up 100 feet in elevation. (Be sure to take the curve to the right as it goes uphill.)

The trail high point is around 1 mile where the trail crosses a landfill access road.

From there the trail gradually winds downhill for another .9 miles to the intersection with Massard Road.

At about 1.7, there is a section that splits off to the right. I usually keep going straight.

At 1.9, the trail hits Massard Road. At this point, I turn around and head back.

There is less climbing on the return journey, but be prepared for some limited climbing as you head back toward the high point.

Final Notes

The entire walk is about 3.8 miles.

These photos are from November 2, 2019.

I had AT&T cell service on the whole trail.

Click here for the trail profile of the Ben Geren Fitness Course.

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery.

Map

Last revised: 8-15-2021.

The post Fort Smith: Ben Geren Paved Bike Trail – 4 mi (o&b) appeared first on Arklahoma Hiker.

The .6-mile Hazel Evans Walking Trail at Carol Ann Cross Park on the east side of Fort Smith is a very pleasant walk. The trail makes a loop around Wildcat Mountain Lake. The lake is enjoyable to view year round.

The best views are probably where the trail goes over the dam.

Carol Ann Cross Park features picnic tables, pavilions, and a playground.

These photos are all from my walk on November 10, 2019.

Photo Gallery

Click below for full-screen photo gallery.

You can download a gpx file of the walking path at this link.

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