Horsetail Falls
A 31 ft ribbon falls and the first stop on the Falling Water Creek waterfall stretch.
- Height
- 31 ft
- Type
- Horsetail
- District
- Tributary
- Round trip
- 1.1 mi
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best season
- Spring
- Est. time
- ~45 min
- Flow-dependent
- Yes
- Pet friendly
- Yes
- Coordinates
- 35.7406°N, 92.9272°W
Photo: Horsetail Falls
Current conditions
- Rain 24h
- 0.00″
- Rain 72h
- 0.00″
- Rain 7d
- 0.04″
Next 3 days (preview)
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The falls
Horsetail Falls is a narrow, graceful 31 ft cascade that stays in contact with a tall sandstone face the entire way down — the classic 'horsetail' form. It sits along Falling Water Creek on the edge of the Richland Creek Wilderness, and is the first of a short string of six waterfalls (Horsetail, Fuzzybutt, Intersection, Six Finger, Keefe, and Falling Water) you can string together in a single outing. Runs best within a day or two of meaningful rain.
What makes it special
First stop on the Falling Water Creek 'six-falls' stretch: from the same short drive along FR 1205 you can reach Horsetail, Fuzzybutt, Intersection, Six Finger, Keefe, and Falling Water Falls — a remarkable concentration of waterfalls along one creek on the edge of the Richland Creek Wilderness.
History
Falling Water Creek has been a favorite of Arkansas waterfall hunters and photographers for decades thanks to the cluster of named falls along a single short stretch of FR 1205 in the Ozark National Forest.
Falling Water Creek can rise fast during and after heavy rain — crossings get pushy and slick rock near the lip of Horsetail is unforgiving. Turn around if the creek is up or storms are forecast.
Getting there
From Ben Hur, head south on FR 1205 along Falling Water Creek. Park at the small pullout for Horsetail Falls; the short trail follows the creek to the falls. ~1.1 miles round trip. Horsetail is the first falls in the Falling Water Creek stretch — continue upstream/along the creek for Fuzzybutt, Intersection, Six Finger, Keefe, and Falling Water Falls.
