Right now
Status note (Nov 13, 2026): Open, as far as we can tell (checked Nov 13, 2026). The Arkansas State Parks park and trail pages listed no closure or alert. What the status labels mean
Falls Creek Falls is the seasonal waterfall at Lake Catherine State Park, near Hot Springs, Arkansas. Arkansas State Parks puts it on the Falls Branch Trail, a 2-mile National Recreation Trail rated moderate. The trail crosses Little Canyon Creek several times.
About Falls Creek Falls
Falls Creek Falls is in Lake Catherine State Park, run by Arkansas State Parks. The park calls it "a seasonal scenic waterfall on Falls Creek."
Arkansas State Parks does not give the falls a name. Photo titles call it Falls Creek Falls. No official source we read gives its height.
A seasonal waterfall
Arkansas State Parks calls the falls seasonal but does not say which months they flow. Call the park at 501-844-4176 before a long drive.
Near Hot Springs
The trailhead is 8.8 miles in a straight line from the center of Hot Springs, by our math. That makes it the closest waterfall to the city in our guide.
Cedar Falls is 47 miles away and Little Missouri Falls is 57 miles away, both straight-line by our math.
About our map pin
We found no USGS GNIS record for the falls. Our pin is the official Falls Branch trailhead point from Arkansas State Parks, not the falls itself.
For more falls in the state, browse all Arkansas waterfalls.
Getting there and parking
Arkansas State Parks lists the park at 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs, AR 71913. It says the Falls Branch trailhead is near the campground.
The park page gives no written directions, so use its map link or call ahead.
Fees
No entrance fee is listed on the Arkansas State Parks pages we read. The only fee note says swimming at the lake beach is free.
Hours
The park lists visitor center hours as 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It is closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Contact
Arkansas State Parks lists the park phone as 501-844-4176.
Map and nearby falls
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Lake Catherine State Park waterfall trail: the Falls Branch Trail
The Falls Branch Trail is a National Recreation Trail, per Arkansas State Parks. It lists the trail as 2 miles, moderate, taking 1 1/2 to 2 hours.
The trail crosses Little Canyon Creek several times, the park says.
An Arkansas tourism article puts the falls about a quarter mile from the trailhead. The trail page does not give that distance, so plan for the full 2-mile trail.
Dogs
We found no pet rule for the trail on the park pages we read. The park lists dog-friendly cabins, so ask the park about dogs on trails.
When to visit
Arkansas State Parks calls this a seasonal waterfall. No official page names a best month.
Status checks
On Nov 13, 2026, the park's events list included a "Cleaning Up the Falls" hike, and the park and trail pages listed no closure or alert.
Call the park at 501-844-4176 before you go.
| Trail | The Falls Branch Trail, a National Recreation Trail, is 2 miles and rated moderate, per Arkansas State Parks. It takes 1 1/2 to 2 hours. |
|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate, per Arkansas State Parks. |
| Entry fee | No entrance fee is listed on the Arkansas State Parks pages we read. Check with the park before you go. |
| Permit / reservation | No permit listed on the Arkansas State Parks pages we read. |
| Parking | Trailhead near the campground (Arkansas State Parks) |
| Dogs | We found no pet rule for the trail on the Arkansas State Parks pages we read. The park lists dog-friendly cabins. |
| Wheelchair / stroller | No official accessibility information found. The trail crosses Little Canyon Creek several times, per Arkansas State Parks. |
| Best time to visit | No official best month. Arkansas State Parks calls it a seasonal waterfall. |
| Crowds | No official visitor figure found. |
| Managed by | Arkansas State Parks (Lake Catherine State Park) |
Safety and swimming
The trail crosses Little Canyon Creek several times, so expect wet footing.
We found no official swimming rule for the falls. The park says the lake beach has no lifeguard.
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 Falls Creek Falls
Compare hotels, cabins and rentals close to the falls around Hot Springs.
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Photos
Falls Creek Falls FAQ
How long is the Falls Branch Trail at Lake Catherine?
Arkansas State Parks lists it as 2 miles, moderate, taking 1 1/2 to 2 hours. It crosses Little Canyon Creek several times.
Is the Lake Catherine waterfall always flowing?
Probably not year-round. Arkansas State Parks calls it a seasonal waterfall but gives no flow months.
Is there a fee at Lake Catherine State Park?
No entrance fee is listed on the Arkansas State Parks pages we read. Call the park at 501-844-4176 to confirm.
Where does the Falls Branch Trail start?
Arkansas State Parks says the trailhead is near the campground. The park address is 1200 Catherine Park Road, Hot Springs.
Is the Lake Catherine waterfall open?
As far as we can tell, yes (checked Nov 13, 2026). The park and trail pages listed no closure.
How far is the Lake Catherine waterfall from Hot Springs?
The trailhead is about 8.8 miles in a straight line from the center of Hot Springs, by our math. It is the closest waterfall to the city in our guide.
Nearby waterfalls
Cedar Falls47 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen90FT
Little Missouri Falls57 mi straight-line, by our mathOpen
More waterfalls to explore
City guides: Waterfalls near Hot Springs, AR
Sources
- Arkansas State Parks: Falls Branch Trail, National Recreation Trail (read Nov 13, 2026; no updated date shown)
- Arkansas State Parks: Lake Catherine State Park (hours, address, phone; read Nov 13, 2026)
- Arkansas Tourism: Finding Arkansas' waterfalls (no date shown)
- USGS GNIS: Falls Creek, feature ID 49001 (stream, Hot Spring County)
Last verified Nov 13, 2026 by The Waterfall Guide editorial team. Conditions change: confirm with Arkansas State Parks (Lake Catherine State Park) before you go. Spotted something out of date? Report a correction.