Right now
Status note (Nov 13, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell (checked Nov 13, 2026). No Ozark-St. Francis alert names the falls or FR 1205. A Forest Service page from March 2025 warns the road between the falls and the wilderness is prone to landslides. What the status labels mean
Falling Water Falls is a roadside waterfall on Forest Service Road 1205 near Ben Hur, in Pope County, Arkansas. It is not the Falling Water Falls in Tennessee. Arkansas Tourism gives it a 10-foot drop and says it can be viewed from the road. The Forest Service warns the road between it and the wilderness is prone to landslides.
About Falling Water Falls
Falling Water Falls is on Falling Water Creek beside Forest Service Road 1205, in Pope County, Arkansas. Arkansas Tourism lists it with a height of 10 feet.
The Forest Service names the falls on its Richland Creek Wilderness page, as a landmark on the road to the wilderness. We found no Forest Service page just for the falls.
Tennessee has a different falls with the same name. This page covers the one in Pope County, Arkansas.
The creek
USGS lists Falling Water Creek as a stream that runs through Pope and Searcy counties.
Distances
The falls are 85 straight-line miles from Hot Springs, by our math. Twin Falls in the Richland Creek Wilderness is 6 miles away, also straight-line.
About our map pin
Our map pin is the USGS GNIS point for Falling Water Falls (feature ID 74471), in Pope County. Arkansas Tourism gives nearly the same point.
For a wilderness falls reached from farther up FR 1205, see Twin Falls. For more, browse all Arkansas waterfalls.
Getting there and parking
Arkansas Tourism gives this route. From the junction of Arkansas 7 and Arkansas 16, turn east on Arkansas 16 to Ben Hur.
From Ben Hur, go south about 1.5 miles to Forest Service Road 1205 and turn left. Arkansas Tourism says the falls are on your right, "easily visible from the road."
Arkansas Tourism's waterfalls page says to stay on FR 1205 for 2.3 miles. Its swimming article says about 3 to 4 miles, so watch for the falls along the way.
The Forest Service describes the drive differently. From Russellville, take Arkansas 7 north 37 miles to Pelsor, then Arkansas 16 east 10 miles.
Turn left (north) on gravel FR 1205, which the Forest Service places 1.5 miles south of Ben Hur. It puts Richland Creek 9 miles up FR 1205, which fits the 2.3-mile figure better.
Fees
No fee is listed on the pages we read. The Forest Service 2026 fee schedule has no row for Falling Water Falls.
Contact
The Ozark-St. Francis supervisor's office in Russellville lists (501) 802-0287.
Map and nearby falls
Map loads as you scroll. Open in OpenStreetMap
OpenPartly open / seasonalUnconfirmedClosedLarger map
Falling Water Falls access: viewable from the road
There is no hike to speak of. Arkansas Tourism rates the falls easy and says they "can be viewed from road."
We found no official parking details, so we cannot say where stopping is allowed along FR 1205.
Dogs
We found no official dog rule for Falling Water Falls.
When to visit
No official page names a best season for the falls.
Status checks
On Nov 13, 2026, no Ozark-St. Francis alert named Falling Water Falls or FR 1205.
The Richland Creek Wilderness page, last updated March 28, 2025, warns that the road between the falls and the wilderness is prone to landslides.
In a couple of places it is down to one lane, and the county may close it for repairs.
Call the supervisor's office at (501) 802-0287 before you go.
| Height | 10 ftNote: 10 ft, per Arkansas Tourism |
|---|---|
| Trail | Arkansas Tourism rates it easy and says the falls can be viewed from the road. It calls the falls easy to access, right by the road. |
| Difficulty | Easy, per Arkansas Tourism, which says the falls can be viewed from the road. |
| Entry fee | No fee is listed on the pages we read. The Forest Service 2026 fee schedule has no row for Falling Water Falls. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit listed on the pages we read. |
| Parking | No official parking details |
| Dogs | We found no official dog rule for Falling Water Falls. |
| Swimming | Arkansas Tourism describes a large pool that is perfect for swimming. We found no official swimming rule or warning. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No official accessibility information found. Arkansas Tourism says the falls can be viewed from the road. |
| Best time to visit | No official best month found. |
| Crowds | No official visitor figure found. |
| Who runs it | Not stated on an agency page we found (the Forest Service names the falls on its Richland Creek Wilderness page) |
Safety and swimming
Arkansas Tourism describes "a lovely and large pool, perfect for swimming." We found no official swimming rule or warning.
A KATV news report from Aug 6, 2026 describes people jumping from a ledge into water about 10 feet below. That is a news report, not a rule.
No official source we read gives the pool depth or allows jumping.
In an emergency, call 911. Our waterfall safety guide has more on staying safe near falls.
Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go.
Where to stay near Falling Water Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Ben Hur.
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Photos
Falling Water Falls FAQ
How tall is Falling Water Falls in Arkansas?
Arkansas Tourism lists it at 10 feet.
Do you have to hike to Falling Water Falls?
No. Arkansas Tourism rates it easy and says the falls can be viewed from Forest Service Road 1205.
How do you get to Falling Water Falls?
Arkansas Tourism says to take Arkansas 16 east to Ben Hur, go south about 1.5 miles to FR 1205 and turn left. The Forest Service describes the turn differently, so see Getting there.
Can you swim at Falling Water Falls?
Arkansas Tourism calls the pool perfect for swimming. We found no official swimming rule, warning or depth figure.
Is Falling Water Falls open?
As far as we can tell, yes (checked Nov 13, 2026). No forest alert names it. A Forest Service page from March 2025 warns the road between it and the wilderness is prone to landslides.
Nearby waterfalls
Twin Falls6 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
Glory Hole Falls26 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
Hemmed-in Hollow Falls31 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen209FT
Cedar Falls42 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen90FT
City guides: Waterfalls near Hot Springs, AR
Sources
- Arkansas Tourism: Waterfalls (Falling Water Falls height, difficulty, directions, coordinates; no date shown; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Arkansas Tourism: 7 Arkansas swimming holes (Falling Water Falls access and pool; no date shown; read Nov 13, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service: Richland Creek Wilderness (road warning naming Falling Water Falls; updated Mar 28, 2025)
- USDA Forest Service: Richland Creek Recreation Area (Pelsor route; updated Jun 9, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service: Ozark-St. Francis alerts and supervisor's office contact (read Nov 13, 2026)
- USDA Forest Service: Ozark-St. Francis Recreation Schedule and Fees 2026 (file updated Jan 5, 2026)
- KATV: Summer heat draws families back to Falling Water Falls (Aug 6, 2026)
- USGS GNIS: Falling Water Falls, feature ID 74471 (coordinates, Pope County)
- USGS GNIS: Falling Water Creek, feature ID 71584 (stream, Pope and Searcy counties)
Last verified Nov 13, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with the official source before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.