Boen Gulf Canyon Falls

Waterfall hikes near Boxley Valley

Boxley Valley is famous for elk, float trips, and iconic trails like Lost Valley — but just a few miles away on Hwy 21, one of the best waterfall hikes near Boxley Valley sits almost completely unknown. The Four Falls Loop near Boxley Valley threads together four distinct waterfalls in a single half-day outing through the Upper Buffalo Wilderness, making it one of the most rewarding things to do in the Boxley Valley area for hikers who want to get off the beaten path. Whether you're based out of Ponca, Jasper, or just passing through on a Buffalo River trip, this loop delivers more waterfalls per mile than almost anything else in the Upper Buffalo — and you'll likely have the entire canyon to yourself.

The route

Four waterfalls. One canyon. One of the best bang-for-your-buck waterfall days in the entire Buffalo River region.

The Upper Buffalo Four Falls Canyon circuit visits 26-foot Magnolia Falls and 33-foot Woods Boys Falls at the same creek junction — a genuine two-for-one — then continues to 63-foot Stahle Falls towering over an ancient forest, and finishes at Hadlock Cascade, a steep-walled canyon waterfall that most visitors never find. All four are connected by a single route through first-rate Ozark wilderness, mostly on an old jeep road with short bushwhacks to each falls.

This is one of the most accessible multi-waterfall circuits in the Upper Buffalo — shorter and less demanding than the Richland Creek Five Falls Challenge, with the old jeep road giving you a reliable backbone throughout the day. The most challenging section is the descent to Hadlock Cascade, which requires real caution in wet conditions.

The route at a glance

• Park at the Wilderness Access sign on CR#9050/FR#1462, 0.3 miles off Hwy 21 between Mossville and Edwards Junction.
• Follow the jeep road past the trailhead register — continue straight ahead.
• Cross a small creek and turn left at the junction at the wilderness boundary — look for blue blazes on trees.
• Follow the road approximately 1.0 mile to where it dips to a small creek.
• Leave the road and follow the creek downstream a couple hundred yards to the main creek below.
• Magnolia Falls is just upstream — Woods Boys Falls is just downstream — both at 2.1 miles from the trailhead.
• From the base of Woods Boys Falls follow the bluffline right to reach Stahle Falls — add 0.6 miles — 2.7 miles total.
• Return to the base of Woods Boys Falls, follow the north bluffline downstream 100 yards and carefully descend the steep slope to Hadlock Cascade — add 0.1 miles.
• Return via the jeep road to the trailhead.

The four falls

Map of the four falls

Getting there

From Mossville Church head south on Hwy 21 for 2.5 miles and turn right onto CR#9050/FR#1462. Alternatively from Edwards Junction head north on Hwy 21 for 1.8 miles and turn left onto CR#9050/FR#1462. Go 0.3 miles and park on the right at the Wilderness Access sign.

• Trailhead: CR#9050/FR#1462, 0.3 miles from Hwy 21
• Magnolia Falls: 35.86538°N, 93.39840°W
• Woods Boys Falls: 35.86560°N, 93.39903°W
• Stahle Falls: 35.86532°N, 93.40190°W
• Hadlock Cascade: 35.86595°N, 93.40022°W
• Quad: Fallsville

Time estimate

Most hikers complete the full circuit in 2.5 to 4 hours including stops at all four falls. Budget closer to 4 hours if taking the longer scenic route via the overhanging bluffs or spending time photographing each falls.

Best time to visit

Late winter through late spring (February–May) following significant rainfall. Hadlock Cascade reaches its most dramatic height in high water. All four falls can slow significantly in dry summer conditions. Never attempt the Hadlock Cascade descent in icy or wet conditions.