Neil Compton's Double Falls

Kingston, Arkansas

4.0/5
based on 2 reviews

Details

Distance

2.15 miles

Elevation Gain

404 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Jon King

Hiking to Neil Compton's Double Falls leads to a 39' double waterfall in Arkansas' Upper Buffalo Wilderness.

The parking area for Neil Compton’s Double Falls is approximately 1.1 miles past the trailhead for Hawksbill Crag on Cave Mountain Road. Cave Mountain Road is steep and can get pretty muddy after a good rain. A vehicle with 4WD is recommended although plenty of people make it up in small cars. You will see a sign on the left side of the road that states “Upper Buffalo Wilderness - Ozark National Forest.” Park along the side of the road. You will start your hike directly behind the sign.

From the sign, scramble directly down the bluff until you meet Whitaker Creek. There is no marked trail and may require some bushwacking depending on the season. Once you reach Whitaker Creek the hike becomes easier to navigate. Depending on where you emerge, you should quickly find Amber Falls along the left side of the creek (going downstream). You’ll pass two more drainages on the left hand side each with small waterfalls which are worth exploring. Continue downstream until you reach the top of Compton’s Double Falls. To reach the base of the falls, you’ll have to hike back up the bluff and follow it down to cross the creek. The bluff line is steep and slick so watch your step. The base of the falls is by far the highlight of the hike. For an added bonus, you can hike a short distance downstream and check out Owl Falls on the right-hand side of Whitaker Creek. From here, retrace your steps back to your vehicle.

Compton’s Double Falls runs best in the early spring and after a good rain. Exploring the base of the falls requires a creek crossing, so bring a sturdy pair of sandals if you don’t want to soak your hiking boots. I also suggest doing this hike with a buddy. The lack of trail can make it easy to get lost if you’re not familiar with the area.

Waterfall coordinates: N35 52.758, W93 27.754

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app
Download GPX File

Features

Chillin
Photography
Hiking
Scenic
Wildflowers
Waterfalls

Neil Compton's Double Falls Reviews

Did this hike over the Fourth of July weekend, and we had some trouble staying on the trail, but it was well worth the bushwhack when we made it to the falls!

One of my favorite falls in Arkansas! Ready to get some more rain to get the waterfalls going again.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Hawksbill Crag via Whitaker Point Trail

Backpack Along Whitaker Creek

Hike to Magnolia Falls

Hike Big Spring Trail

Hike to Sweden Creek Falls

Hike the Glory Hole Falls Trail