Picture the Ozarks
This story is part of an ongoing series about photo-worthy destinations near Springfield. We’re calling it “Picture the Ozarks.
HIKING GUIDE |
Fall, winter or spring, one of my favorite places to hike is the Sweden Creek Falls Natural Area in northwestern Arkansas, just two hours southwest of Springfield. Although you can get to the main attraction — a gorgeous 81-foot-high waterfall — hiking a mile and a half, you could easily spend half a day in the area. That’s especially true for people who enjoy the kind of photo-worthy trails we share in our hiking guide series, “Picture the Ozarks.”
Flexibility is one reason Sweden Creek stands out. While it’s destination-worthy on its own if you like to linger and explore, the trail is relatively short so you could also hike, look and leave to catch other trails in the area, including nearby Smith Creek Preserve trails and the Lost Valley Trailhead in the Boxley Valley Historic District and Buffalo River area.
We also love that you can get to the falls two different ways. The upper (and easiest) part of the trail follows the bluff line to a great view of the waterfall from the top. Plus here you can explore the water-worn creviced creek bed that leads to the bluff and falls. If you don’t have much time, just do this trail.
The lower trail is more moderately challenging, with a rocky, rooted narrow path that requires a bit of clambering in spots. It’s also the more interesting trail, journey-wise. In addition, there are smaller waterfalls to explore in the area. Of course, waterfalls flow best in rainy seasons but even if it’s dry, the canyon, bluff and many rock formations are interesting on their own merit.
Intrigued? Here’s our guide with everything you need to know about getting to Sweden Creek Falls, what to expect along both parts of the trail and why you should go. The stunning visual payoff will entice you to visit again and again.
How to find Sweden Creek Natural Area from Springfield (click to expand story)
Location: Arkansas Boston Mountains between Kings and Buffalo rivers, about 20 minutes from Boxley Valley
Address: 697 Madison 3795, Kingston, Ark.
GPS: 35.96963025896052, -93.4527936939299
Distance: 107 miles southwest of Springfield
Drive time: About two hours
Parking: Day-use gravel lot (added in 2020 with re-routed trail); no facilities
If you’re familiar with driving to the Upper Buffalo National River area, this trail is in that vicinity. After crossing Arkansas 21, the last three miles are on a gravel road. The parking area is wide and easy to access, and the trail starts at a sign in the left corner.
Road Tip: Any vehicle going slow enough on the gravel road should do fine when it’s dry; AWD or 4WD may be better if it’s wet. Use your own best judgment about your vehicle’s capability.
Map Tip: While Google’s map app shows an accurate route, as of early 2023, the Apple map routes you to the old trailhead. If using Apple and you don’t see a large parking lot, drive a little farther — you can’t miss it.
Get started on the trail
Need-to-know details about the trail (click to expand story)
Length: 1.5-miles out and back doing one of two trail options; the first spur is roughly half a mile one way. Add another half- to three-quarter-mile if you do both upper and lower trails
Difficulty: Easy (the upper falls trail) to moderate (the lower falls trail), with an elevation climb back to the trailhead
Dogs: Yes, on a leash
Photo-worthy: An 81-foot waterfall dropping into a canyon gorge, viewed from above and below; slot creek bed leading to falls; bluff, rock and shelter formations along the lower trail; smaller waterfalls.
Tip: To see the waterfall flowing, this hike is best done in spring, fall and after warm winter rains; however even dry, the rocky bluff area is still worth seeing.
Cautions: High bluff area; wet season slippery rocks and mud; rocky, rooted lower trail
More information: arkansasheritage.com; Alltrails.com
Nearby: Smith Creek Preserve trailhead (about 20 minutes), Lost Valley Trailhead (about 25 minutes); Boxley Valley Historic District and Buffalo River (about 20 minutes)
Not far: Hawksbill Crag/Whitaker Point trail (about 40 minutes); Glory Hole Waterfall Trail (about 30 minutes); Magnolia Falls Trail (about 30 minutes)
Reminder: Bugs, snakes, ticks, wildlife, cliffs and other hazards may be encountered in any wilderness area. While outdoor areas in this series are recommended from the firsthand experiences of an average-ability hiker, readers must determine their own abilities and hike at their own discretion.
Find the trailhead to Sweden Creek Falls at a large sign in the left back corner of the parking lot. The trail is well-blazed with blue diamonds, and the first part of your hike goes through a pleasant though unremarkable hardwood forest on a gently traversing downhill slope. It also follows a new route created in 2020 when the parking area was moved and improved. The path eventually merges with the old trail, marked by rocks on the path (unless they were moved). This section of trail is easy although you’ll hike uphill going back.
As the trail continues down, curving right, there are signs of past habitation (if not hidden by dense spring foliage). Along the left you’ll pass some old wooden structures, foundations and a pale green weatherworn outbuilding. Farther down, a clearing on the right is the site of an old house that was demolished in the last few years. (Across the clearing you can still see a rock wall.) At this point, you can probably hear nearby water.
Soon you’ll spot a pretty little cascading tributary creek that flows over a low bluff (and eventually runs into Sweden Creek farther below).
Split decision
The path turns left, away from the creek, to a rocky depression. This is where the trail divides. Continue forward to follow the upper trail to see the waterfall from above. Or go right and make your way down the rocky (often muddy) crevice between two bluffs to the more challenging lower trail that leads to the waterfall’s base. Follow blue diamond blazes either way.
This guide will cover the upper trail first, then the lower trail.
Tip: Wet trail sections are a hallmark of this hiking area if you visit after rains during the rainy season — when the waterfall flows best. Many little runoffs soak portions of the trail and drip over the bluffs. Wearing boots or shoes with traction is best. At least one trekking stick is handy on the lower trail.
The upper trail
If you only have time for one of the trails and you prefer an easier path, hike the upper section. While it goes along the edge of a bluff and bears some caution, the path is wide, mostly level and there is plenty of room to walk farther back from the ledge in places that may be slippery. It’s a pleasant, pretty walk, and before long you’ll hear the waterfall.
Near the end of the trail, there are two open places to view (and photograph) the waterfall. Whether framed by bare trees or spring foliage, the falls and high bluff canyon are impressive.
The last bit of trail leads to upper Sweden Creek, a lovely place to linger, have a snack or lunch and soak in your surroundings. Plus, there’s another nice photo-op: capture the curve and swirl of the slot creek bed, carved by water through pink-tinged sandstone as it rushes to the edge and over. If you have time to explore, follow the creek upstream for a bit.
When you’re ready, return the way you came and either head up and out, or take the lower trail to see the waterfall from its base.
The lower trail
Back where the two trails divide, the lower trail starts with a somewhat steep (though short) step-stone crevice descent between bluffs. It’s the path of a runoff so if there’s been rain, expect a wet, muddy descent.
Once down this section, you may see and hear smaller waterfalls to your right, which some people explore as a bushwhack (more notes on that below). From here, the trail forward is clearly marked with blue diamond blazes.
Compared to the upper path, the lower is narrower and rockier. In some places, it gets a little edgy; in others, you’ll clamber around boulders or duck under a bluff. If it’s been wet (remember, you want that for the waterfall), there may be a few slick spots. And you may get wet from dripping bluffs. But it’s a fairly level hike until you reach the falls, and it’s not hard if you go slow and watch your step.
The trail hugs the upper part of the canyon and you’ll pass photogenic spots along the way. They include a split rock near the start of the trail, several overhangs and cave-like shelters. On our last visit, water dripping from the bluff overhead looked like rain.
Before long, you can hear the waterfall — and then you see it. There’s something about that first glimpse! Nearing the falls, the trail still hugs the bluff but you can follow a rough path (unmarked) to get down to the base.
Or you might pick your way around the bluff overhang to photograph or view the waterfall from the side — or even behind.
With plenty of boulders and logs to perch on, the base is a great place to picnic and soak in the amazing view while experiencing the waterfall’s roar and the canyon’s voluminous scope. On a hot day, enjoy the overspray and maybe even wade in the creek. If you want to go behind the falls, you can scramble up the other side of the canyon and pick your way to the bluff shelter.
When it’s time to head back up the trail, it’s a sure bet you’ll look back until you can no longer see the falls. Until next time, Sweden Creek!
Bonus: Bushwhack Waterfalls (click to expand story)
It’s tempting to explore that pretty tributary creek and the small waterfalls it produces. If you do (as I have), I recommend leaving them to last so you don’t run out of time for Sweden Creek Falls. There are a couple of ways to explore these little falls. They are unofficial bushwhacks around bluff areas, so determine for yourself if you feel it’s safe.
One way to get below the small waterfalls: before you arrive at the two-trail intersection, cross the tributary creek (if it’s possible) and work your way down from the right side of the falls.
The other way is from the start of the lower trail. Just below that initial crevice trek between bluffs, you can bushwhack under the bluff line to see the first small waterfalls (easier with less foliage). You may see a faint trail from other people doing it.
To go down one more level, you can cross over the small cascading stream and work your way to the base of the next small waterfall. Use your own best judgment, and don’t hike alone.
