Hike to Punchbowl Falls

Witts Springs, Arkansas

3.2/5
based on 5 reviews

Details

Distance

4 miles

Elevation Gain

-600 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by David Cox

One of the most beautiful places in Arkansas people rarely know about. If you consider yourself a gear head, I highly suggest this hike. Every time I go I have yet to see anybody, which is relaxing. One of the drawbacks to this hike is that it drains your body, but it is worth it in the end! Go relax outdoors! Peace & Blessings!

Go in the early Fall or late Spring! You start off on the Ozark Highland Trail. As you start walking along the trail you can see where people have slept the night before. Camping is acceptable out here, you do not have to pay, but the downside is that the closest town is about an hour away so if you have an emergency you are on your own.

The trail has white strips on the trees so if you get off track you can easily get back on the trail. You walk on a ridge for about 1.3 miles staying on the Ozark Highland Trail. This is when it gets difficult - once you start turning around the ridge you will keep going for a half mile then veer off the trail and down the first ridge through brush, thickets, and thorns. After you get down the first hill you end up on a logging road,at which point you have only half mile left. Keep on walking down the hill through all the brush.

Once you see the creek you should see the waterfall. The waterfall is covered with bluffs for about 100 yards so getting inside the Punchbowl is a difficult task.

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Features

Chillin
Camping
Hiking
Wildlife
Cliff Jumping
Waterfalls
Swimming Holes

Hike to Punchbowl Falls Reviews

My daughters father fell here a year ago. He didn't fall but about 10 feet but it was enough. Please be careful when your out here. He passed away while a sweet 13 year old girl held his hand and waited for her mother and EMS to come. We believe he died from a head injury... It was a long hike back out of here for help... Enjoy Nature... but respect it and always leave it the way you found it...

So this trail was pretty easy to follow on the way in but got substantially more complicated on the way out because there was a massive football field-sized mudslide that took out the trail and surrounding area. I think the trail is closed at this point because there was a lot of trouble with the mudslide.

Good job on this post! I have never heard about this waterfall but plan to check it out! Looks like a nice area.

I am a pretty active person and I love to hike. Well I decided to take me, my two little sisters, and my boyfriend with me on this little adventure. It took us 7 hours to complete...and we were moving constantly. We stopped maybe 4 times. It was beautiful when we finally got there, but...it most definitely wasn't worth it

A couple buddies and I made this hike and had a blast. It was fairly easy to find and well worth the short hike. I would suggest hiking further down the stream until you reach a series of fields and setting up a base camp there and explore up the river during the day.

Leave No Trace

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

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Richland Creek Campground Trail

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