Hamilton Falls

Current conditions

The falls

Don't let the modest 12-foot height fool you — Hamilton Falls is one of the most charming stops in the entire Richland Creek Wilderness. Water drops into a brilliant emerald pool surrounded by giant boulders that line the base of Big Devil's Fork, creating a scene that feels more like a hidden swimming hole than a traditional waterfall. When conditions are right a second unnamed falls pours over the east canyon wall just downstream, doubling the spectacle without adding a single extra step.

What makes it special

Hamilton Falls is the first of three waterfalls reachable on a single backcountry route through the Richland Creek Wilderness. See nearby: Twin Falls of Richland and Richland Falls.

History

Named after Don Hamilton, one of the key figures behind the Arkansas Wilderness Coalition in the early 1980s whose leadership and advocacy helped secure permanent wilderness protection for Richland Creek and dozens of other wild places across Arkansas. The falls is a quiet, fitting tribute to someone who fought hard for exactly this kind of place.

Getting there

From Lurton on Hwy 7, head east on Hwy 123 for 1.5 miles then turn right onto CR#5070/FR#1200. Continue 6.8 miles and turn right onto CR#5080/FR#1205. Go 1.6 miles and turn right at the bottom of the hill onto CR#5082 at Iceledo Gap. Follow this 4WD road past a house and across a stream to Hill Cemetery at the end — note the road condition here can be very rough and you may need to park at Iceledo Gap and hike in. From the cemetery, follow the old closed road trace downhill to the left, crossing Big Devil's Fork and continuing downstream. At 1.8 miles you'll reach a waterfall beside the road — from here follow the creek downstream to where it meets Big Devil's Fork, then continue downstream to reach Hamilton Falls at 2.3 miles.