Glory Hole Falls Trail Hiking Guide
Glory Hole is a waterfall that drops through a hole in the roof of a rock overhang, so the creek pours down from the ceiling onto the floor below; ArkOk Hiker puts the drop at about 30 feet. The trail to it in the Ozark National Forest is only about a mile each way. It is downhill to the falls and uphill back to the road, and it is worth timing around rain, since the hole can run dry.
Distance and Grade
AllTrails lists the Glory Hole Waterfall Trail at about 2 miles round trip with 390 feet of gain, calling it moderate and estimating an hour to an hour and a half. ArkOk Hiker, which places the trail in the Big Piney Ranger District, measured 0.9 mile each way and rates it mildly challenging. Much of the route follows old jeep roads down a fairly steep slope, then crosses a stream before reaching the overhang. Because the steepest part is near the falls, the return climb is the workout.
Finding the Trailhead
The trail leaves from the south side of Highway 16, on the stretch shared with Highway 21, about 5.7 miles east of Fallsville according to ArkOk Hiker. Its directions say to watch for a red barn on the north side of the road with a large white E painted on it; the pull-off is about half a mile east of that. Parking is a dirt and gravel area beside the highway. The guide notes that newer signs now mark the trailhead, which used to be easy to miss.
Water Flow and Slick Rock
The falls run best in the rainy months, which the ArkOk Hiker writeup gives as winter and spring. After a dry stretch the creek can stop, leaving only a damp hole in the overhang, so check recent rainfall before you drive out. The rock around the pool and under the overhang is slick, and the same guide warns that a fall there could mean serious injury. Wear shoes with good grip and stay off the top of the overhang.
No Facilities, Remote Setting
There are no restrooms, trash cans or drinking water at the trailhead, so pack out everything you carry in. The area is remote; plan the trip with someone else and tell a person at home where you are going. Questions about the area go to the Forest Service's Big Piney Ranger District, which takes phone calls on weekdays.
Dogs, Bears and Hunting Season
The Forest Service sets no pet ban for this trail, so a leashed dog can come along, but keep it away from the slick rock at the falls. The national forests in Arkansas are black bear country, and the agency asks hikers to stay alert, skip headphones and back away slowly from any bear. Arkansas Game and Fish's deer archery season runs from late September through February and modern gun season starts in mid-November, so wear blaze orange or another bright color in those months.
Hiking tips for Glory Hole Falls Trail
- Look for the red barn with the white E; the pull-off is about half a mile east.
- Go in winter or spring, or after a good rain, for the strongest flow.
- Save energy for the climb back up the old jeep road.
- Stay off the top of the overhang and the slick rock at its lip.
- Bring everything you need; the site has no restroom or water.
Nearby trails to explore
- Whitaker Point Trail (Hawksbill Crag)
- Alum Cove Natural Bridge Trail
- Lost Valley Trail (Buffalo National River)
Hike this trail with TrailMates
Glory Hole is a short hike on a remote stretch of highway, best on a wet weekend when the falls are running. Use TrailMates to find people from Fayetteville making the drive east, pick the day in the event's group chat once the rain has fallen, and share the ride to the pull-off. Download TrailMates on the App Store or Google Play.