Lost Valley Trail (Eden Falls)

Current conditions

The trail

The Lost Valley Trail is one of the most scenic and popular hikes in the Buffalo National River area near Ponca, Arkansas. This beautiful 2.4-mile round-trip trail passes waterfalls, caves, towering bluffs, and unique rock formations before reaching the stunning 53-foot Eden Falls. Most visitors only see Lower Eden Falls — the iconic 53-ft tiered cascade at the end of the maintained trail. But Clark Creek actually drops over four separate waterfalls in this short stretch of gorge: • Lower Eden Falls (53 ft) — the main tiered cascade everyone photographs. • Middle Eden Falls — pours out of the stream at the mouth of Eden Falls Cave, just up the spur trail above Lower Eden. • Upper Eden Falls — visible up the gorge upstream of the cave; scramble carefully along the creek for the view. • The Cave Falls — roughly 100 ft inside Eden Falls Cave, a hidden 30-ft waterfall in a pitch-black chamber. A short distance further, following the side creek upstream from the cave exit leads to the base of Armadillo Falls (18 ft) — a fourth bonus drop that is not for kids. The first half-mile offers an easy walk with wheelchair access and benches for resting before the trail becomes steeper and more rugged. Known for its abundance of wildflowers and native plants, the trail is especially beautiful in spring. While the waterfalls flow best after rain, the hike remains scenic year-round.

Cob Cave

Cob Cave is not a true cavern, but rather a massive, 200-foot-wide overhanging bluff shelter along the Lost Valley Trail in the Upper Buffalo National River area. Formed by erosion from Clark Creek, the shelter provided a dry environment that helped preserve fragile artifacts left behind by Native Americans nearly 2,000 years ago. Excavations in 1931 uncovered preserved corn cobs, woven baskets, moccasins, pottery, and stone tools, offering a rare glimpse into the daily life of the area’s early inhabitants.

Eden Falls Cave

Reaching Eden Falls Cave requires climbing a steep, rocky spur trail beyond the main overlook — Middle Eden Falls pours right out of the stream at the cave mouth, and Upper Eden Falls can be seen further up the gorge. About 100 feet inside the cave, a hidden 30-foot waterfall thunders down in a pitch-black chamber. The cave is completely dark, wet, and muddy; visitors must crawl on their hands and knees through tight passages to reach it. Bring at least two reliable light sources per person. On the way back out, follow the side creek upstream from the cave to reach the base of Armadillo Falls — an 18-ft drop and the fourth waterfall on this short stretch of Clark Creek. The scramble is steep and slick; not appropriate for kids.

Getting there

From Ponca, head 1 mi south on AR-43, then west on Lost Valley Rd to the trailhead and parking area.