Lichen Falls
A moss-draped cascade where the entire bluff face glows green and orange in wet conditions.
- Height
- 28 ft
- Type
- Cascade
- District
- Upper
- Round trip
- 2.5 mi
- Difficulty
- Moderate
- Best season
- Spring
- Est. time
- ~1.5 hr
- Flow-dependent
- Yes
- Pet friendly
- No
- Coordinates
- 35.75675, -93.53131
Current conditions
- Rain 24h
- 0.00″
- Rain 72h
- 0.00″
- Rain 7d
- 0.09″
Next 3 days (preview)
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Buffalo National River, Upper District
A delicate, moss-draped cascade tucked into the Upper Buffalo watershed. Lichen Falls earns its name from the extraordinary growth of lichen and moss that coats the surrounding bluff face — in wet conditions the entire rock wall glows green and orange, making it one of the most photogenic smaller falls on the river. Flow is seasonal and rain-dependent. Best visited in combination with Liles Falls and Hammerschmidt Falls for a full upper district waterfall day.
Getting there
Trailhead: Lichen Falls, Ozark Highlands Trail near Oark (parking 35.75852, -93.52789) (35.75675, -93.53131). Coordinates are researched references — verify with a map app before driving.
