The Happiness Function

If your idea of a great hiking trail is easy, with lots of good scenery, rocks, and some cool stuff to explore at the end, then check out the Lost Valley Trail in Buffalo National River.

The first mile of the trail follows an easy path into a box canyon, leading hikers to explore two waterfalls and an enormous bluff shelter.

Further up the trail, the hike becomes more steep, leading adventure seekers to a cave featuring a 25-foot waterfall inside.

Guide To Hiking the Lost Valley Trail in Arkansas

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The hike is more than a leisurely walk through the forest. It includes intersecting trails that take you on an adventure to beautiful places, and it ends with a 200-foot bluff shelter called Cob Cave.

The impressive rock formations, bluffs, caves, and waterfalls are the best parts of hiking in Lost Valley. Eden Falls is a 53-foot waterfall that is a sight to see in the spring after the snow melts and there is spring rain.

There is another cave, Eden Falls Cave, further along the trail, accessed along the steep stairs passed Eden Falls.

The trail ends at the cave’s opening, but there is a 25-foot waterfall inside. You definitely want headlamps and caving knowledge to enter this part of the trail.

It takes about two hours to hike leisurely and explore the rocks and waterfalls along the main Lost Valley Trail. The majority of the trail follows Clark Creek.

Lost Valley Trail Details

• Distance: 2.3 miles out and back
• Elevation Gain: 252 feet gain (to Eden Falls)
• Route Type: Out and back (O&B)
• Difficulty: Easy for the first mile to moderate if you go passed Eden Falls.
• Are dogs allowed? No pets are allowed. Service animals are allowed.
• Is there a fee to hike? No
• Is there parking? Yes, there is a large gravel parking lot.

The first part of the trail is handicap accessible, and there are a few benches to sit on along the way.

The trail is well-marked.

Watch on YouTube: Hiking the Lost Valley Trail

Check out our short video to get a sneak peek at hiking this trail.

Where Is the Lost Valley Trail?

The trail is located in the Boxley Valley Historic District of Buffalo National River off Hwy 43 near Ponca, Arkansas.

There is a National Park Service sign next to the highway, which is easy to see.

Lost Valley Trail Map

The trailhead is located south of Ponca, Arkansas.

Other Things To Consider While Hiking

This is one of the most popular hikes in Buffalo National River.

To help you plan your adventure, here are other details we want to share with you.

Restrooms are located near the trailhead (managed by the National Park Service).

There is no cell phone reception.

In the fall, you can catch the elk migration in the fields along Highway 43.

The last stretch to the cave entrance above Eden Falls is steep.

Entering the Eden Falls Cave is a little sketchy – it is steep and slippery, so be sure to go with someone who knows the way or an experienced caver. Use caution, and protect your head.

Bring a flashlight or headlamp to enter the cave. You will have to crawl to see the waterfall inside.

Bring plenty of water and snacks when hiking in the Buffalo National River National Park.

The area is remote.

The nearest gas station is in Ponca.

Best Time of Year to Hike

Hiking the Lost Valley Trail can be done year-round. However, spring is the best time to see Eden Falls and the Natural Bridge flowing more water.

Hiking in the Ozarks during the fall and early winter is a treat. After Thanksgiving, there are fewer crowds. Weekends are busy since this is a popular trail.

Where To Camp

There is excellent camping in the Buffalo National River Upper District.

Steel Creek Campground – Steel Creek Campground is a great option close by for tent camping within the park boundaries. There are flush toilets and running water seasonally from mid-March through mid-November. Campers can make reservations ahead of time on recreation.gov.

We have camped at Steel Creek a few times and love the easy access to trails.

Buffalo Outdoor Center – This is where we stay with our Aliner camper because the Buffalo Outdoor Center Campground is RV, trailer, and camper-friendly. They also have great restrooms, hot water, WiFi, and full hookups. The staff is super friendly, too.

What We Wear Hiking

Since we hiked during December, we wore layers to accompany the temperature swings, which were around 30 degrees Fahrenheit in the morning and 65 degrees in the afternoon.

Pablo wore his go-to Kuhl hiking pants, and Oboz hiking boots.

I wore Oboz hiking boots and used my favorite Kavu day-pack.

Our Experience

We hiked the Lost Valley Trail in early December and were in awe of the Cob Cave bluff shelter. It was huge, and there was room to explore.

The Natural Bridge and Eden Falls waterfalls were just a trickle during early December, but we saw the beautiful emerald pool at the base of the falls.

We hiked during mid-week, and there were no crowds.

We also saw one bull elk in the fields along Highway 43, which was so cool.

Trails To Hike Nearby

If you are exploring and hiking in the Upper Buffalo near Ponca, you might enjoy these hiking trails:

• Hideout Hollow Trail
• Glory Hole Falls Trail (Sinkhole Waterfall)
• Balanced Rock Falls
• Hemmed in Hollow Trail
• Centerpoint to Big Bluff (Goat Trail)
• Whitaker Point Trail to Hawksbill Crag

Check back soon to read new articles on camping and hiking in northwest Arkansas, the Ozarks, and the Buffalo River.

We are based in northeast Oklahoma and love getting out into the Ozarks as often as we can.

Have fun out there.

Ashlee & Pablo

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