Kids hiking near Buffalo River
Jun 23rd, 2014, 05:56 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Kids hiking near Buffalo River
Spirobulldog...and others....
You seem to be an expert on various hikes in NW Arkansas. I am looking for easy hikes for waterfalls for my kids age 4,7, and 10 to get into the outdoors more than they are.
My parents live in Hot Springs area and we are thinking of adding a trip to Buffalo River and eureka Springs during our visit. Also probably crystal bridges museum as well.
Thought about zip lining as well but anything to get the kids more involved in outdoors stuff besides swimming pools.
Help if you can.
You seem to be an expert on various hikes in NW Arkansas. I am looking for easy hikes for waterfalls for my kids age 4,7, and 10 to get into the outdoors more than they are.
My parents live in Hot Springs area and we are thinking of adding a trip to Buffalo River and eureka Springs during our visit. Also probably crystal bridges museum as well.
Thought about zip lining as well but anything to get the kids more involved in outdoors stuff besides swimming pools.
Help if you can.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 07:23 PM
#2
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Waterfalls are probably going right now, but not that great. When do you plan on going?
Triple Falls(aka double falls)- 10 minute walk, the road is somewhat sketchy. Like I wouldn't want to take a small car down it. Very pretty and super super easy
Lost Valley is a great hike for kids. There is an optional cave at the end. The cave has a waterfall in it. You would need flashlights and the smallest child might need a bit of help on the first step into the cave. This hikes ia bout 1 mile(one-way).It follows a creek and goes by a couple of really nice waterfalls including Eden Falls.
Glory Hole Falls-This is a super cool hike. 3 miles round-trip. it is easy going down, but coming back at is moderate.
Triple Falls(aka double falls)- 10 minute walk, the road is somewhat sketchy. Like I wouldn't want to take a small car down it. Very pretty and super super easy
Lost Valley is a great hike for kids. There is an optional cave at the end. The cave has a waterfall in it. You would need flashlights and the smallest child might need a bit of help on the first step into the cave. This hikes ia bout 1 mile(one-way).It follows a creek and goes by a couple of really nice waterfalls including Eden Falls.
Glory Hole Falls-This is a super cool hike. 3 miles round-trip. it is easy going down, but coming back at is moderate.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 07:29 PM
#3
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whitaker Point/AKA Hawksbill Crag--3 mile easy hike to a fantastic view.
Bluff Trail/Goat Trail is a good one. The older 2 kids would be ok, but might be a bit long for a 4 year old(would depend on the kid). This one has great views.
Pedestal Rocks. This has 2 loops. Both of them are about 2.5 miles and fairly easy. We always do one, have lunch, and then do the other. One has a nice waterfall. Very interesting trail.
All of the trails I mention have serious dropoffs. A fall would mean death. I know of no kids that have dies on these trail, but several adults acting careless. I'm sure the 7 and 10 year old would have enough sense to be careful, but a 4 year old would really need to be watched.
All of these trails are located in Upper area of Buffalo River.
Bluff Trail/Goat Trail is a good one. The older 2 kids would be ok, but might be a bit long for a 4 year old(would depend on the kid). This one has great views.
Pedestal Rocks. This has 2 loops. Both of them are about 2.5 miles and fairly easy. We always do one, have lunch, and then do the other. One has a nice waterfall. Very interesting trail.
All of the trails I mention have serious dropoffs. A fall would mean death. I know of no kids that have dies on these trail, but several adults acting careless. I'm sure the 7 and 10 year old would have enough sense to be careful, but a 4 year old would really need to be watched.
All of these trails are located in Upper area of Buffalo River.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 07:33 PM
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
www.buffaloriver.com They will be able to tell you about the waterfalls and other hiking options. They also do zipline.
Crystal Bridges is great place.
I don't care for Hot Springs, but tons of people do. I'm a very conservative person and this area is conservative in general. Hot Springs is a very liberal town(IMOP).
Petit Jean State Park is another good option. Cedar Falls(when going) is fantastic. Turtle Rocks hike there is a nice very easy fun kid hike. Other things to do there too.
Crystal Bridges is great place.
I don't care for Hot Springs, but tons of people do. I'm a very conservative person and this area is conservative in general. Hot Springs is a very liberal town(IMOP).
Petit Jean State Park is another good option. Cedar Falls(when going) is fantastic. Turtle Rocks hike there is a nice very easy fun kid hike. Other things to do there too.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 07:36 PM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Sorry for the multiple posts. We are supposed to get more rain this week. If you are coming this weekend, waterfalls wouldn't being going super super, but would likely be pretty decent. Just depends on how much we get. Usually, by this time they are not going at all. We have had a pretty good bit of rain. Sometimes I like to visit the waterfalls when they aren't going full tilt. Your kids could probably get in the waterfalls right now.
One more place to mention. Mount Nebo. Good 4 mile trail around the rim. Nice views. No waterfalls tho.
One more place to mention. Mount Nebo. Good 4 mile trail around the rim. Nice views. No waterfalls tho.
Jun 23rd, 2014, 07:47 PM
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for response. We are going late July or early august. Parents live in village and we have done downtown hot springs but not much really. We usually hit the water park one day but I want something more active and different. I think they would be fine for a hike or two to gauge overall interest but pretty sure if a non flowing waterfall would dampen the experience.
If we go around early august we were thinking of hitting the watermelon festival in hope on the return trip back to texas
The four year old would likely be the most interested especially if there is a swimming hole after the hike
If we go around early august we were thinking of hitting the watermelon festival in hope on the return trip back to texas
The four year old would likely be the most interested especially if there is a swimming hole after the hike
Jun 24th, 2014, 09:31 AM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Oh well, Eureka Springs is another world, right? Meaning it's a bit quirky and not so much like rural Arkansas. But we enjoyed walking around when driving down from Springfield, MO. Some music on the main street, etc. www.eurekaspring.com
Yes, years ago we camped in several of the nice state parks. Good trails.
Yes, years ago we camped in several of the nice state parks. Good trails.
Jun 24th, 2014, 10:22 AM
#9
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 7,443
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
wickedgood,
That's why I went ahead and mentioned Mt Nebo, Hawksbill, and Goat/Bluff Trail. All nice hikes with no waterfalls. Usually July and August is pretty darn hot and very little if any waterfall flow.
Assuming you come to AR from time to time, I would suggest skipping the waterfall hikes until say Winter or Spring. When we've had a good 2 or 3 days of rain in March or April is when they really rock and are most impressive. Some of them are frozen in Jan and Feb and that can be interesting too. If it happens to be fairly wet in July and we happen to get a couple of good days of rain, then it might be worthwhile to do.
Tim Ernst has several good hiking books for Arkansas. You can also visit his website. also good cloudland tim ernst and that is his blog. He lives about a mile from Hawksbill, btw.
That's why I went ahead and mentioned Mt Nebo, Hawksbill, and Goat/Bluff Trail. All nice hikes with no waterfalls. Usually July and August is pretty darn hot and very little if any waterfall flow.
Assuming you come to AR from time to time, I would suggest skipping the waterfall hikes until say Winter or Spring. When we've had a good 2 or 3 days of rain in March or April is when they really rock and are most impressive. Some of them are frozen in Jan and Feb and that can be interesting too. If it happens to be fairly wet in July and we happen to get a couple of good days of rain, then it might be worthwhile to do.
Tim Ernst has several good hiking books for Arkansas. You can also visit his website. also good cloudland tim ernst and that is his blog. He lives about a mile from Hawksbill, btw.
