Eye of the Needle Falls via Indian Creek in Buffalo National River, AR

Hike Eye of the Needle Falls via Indian Creek Buffalo National River, AR

Class 3 5.4 miles 800 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Jun 18, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Eye of the Needle Falls via Indian Creek GPX Track

I need to offset my substantial website costs somehow! You can download a hike/drive GPX to assist you here. Before sharing my GPX tracks with others, please remember my site is otherwise a free resource.

This incredibly beautiful hike up Indian Creek begins from Kyle's Landing, following a series of trails in order to enter the creekbed. A use trail alternates on the banks of Indian Creek, and sometimes goes directly along the creek, passing obstacles, interesting water-sculpted rock, and mini waterfalls. Eventually, you make it to Arkansas Cave (closed for bats), and a waterfall just near it. This is not Eye of the Needle Falls. You'll notice some ropes hanging on the west side, which aren't necessary, but nice if you're not fond of Class 3. These ropes lead up to a small tunnel, which leads above the lower falls. Follow Indian Creek a bit longer to reach Eye of the Needle Falls, absolutely incredible. This falls is not like anything I've seen out east. Unfortunately, there was no water on my visit, so I'll be coming back at some point, but even without water, this is really a great hike through a lush canyon.

You can find a social trail leading above Eye of the Needle Falls, which continues even farther and apparently leads up to the road (Rt 74), but I lost the trail eventually, and the interesting stuff had faded out, so I turned back.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

Starting from Kyle's Landing on a series of trail leading to the unofficial Indian Creek Trail.
Starting from Kyle's Landing on a series of trail leading to the unofficial Indian Creek Trail.
Image 1 from gallery
Indian Creek Trail winds on either side of Indian Creek to avoid rock-hopping, though you could just stay within the creek the whole time.
Indian Creek Trail winds on either side of Indian Creek to avoid rock-hopping, though you could just stay within the creek the whole time.
Image 3 from gallery
Image 4 from gallery
I tried to stay within the creek as much as possible because the rock formations kept getting more and more interesting.
I tried to stay within the creek as much as possible because the rock formations kept getting more and more interesting.
One of many mini waterfalls.
One of many mini waterfalls.
Image 7 from gallery
Image 8 from gallery
Image 9 from gallery
Image 10 from gallery
Image 11 from gallery
Image 12 from gallery
One obstacle that has a use trail on the left side, or you can use the ledge on the right.
One obstacle that has a use trail on the left side, or you can use the ledge on the right.
Above the previously mentioned obstacle, looking back.
Above the previously mentioned obstacle, looking back.
More mini waterfalls.
More mini waterfalls.
Image 16 from gallery
Image 17 from gallery
Crazy formations.
Crazy formations.
Image 19 from gallery
Image 20 from gallery
Image 21 from gallery
Image 22 from gallery
Indian Creek begins to narrow into a stunning and lush canyon.
Indian Creek begins to narrow into a stunning and lush canyon.
Image 24 from gallery
I probably took a million pictures of this section of Indian Creek. It was really pretty amazing.
I probably took a million pictures of this section of Indian Creek. It was really pretty amazing.
Image 26 from gallery
Image 27 from gallery
Image 28 from gallery
More fun obstacles along the way up Indian Creek.
More fun obstacles along the way up Indian Creek.
Image 30 from gallery
Image 31 from gallery
Image 32 from gallery
Image 33 from gallery
Image 34 from gallery
Image 35 from gallery
Image 36 from gallery
A staircase-looking cascading fall.
A staircase-looking cascading fall.
Above the staircase-looking fall.
Above the staircase-looking fall.
The final section of narrows.
The final section of narrows.
Looking back as I entered the narrows. Arkansas Cave (closed to public to protect bats) on the top right.
Looking back as I entered the narrows. Arkansas Cave (closed to public to protect bats) on the top right.
Close-up of the canyon walls.
Close-up of the canyon walls.
Impassable waterfall before the mini scramble up to avoid it.
Impassable waterfall before the mini scramble up to avoid it.
Looking back down the narrows, Arkansas Cave top center.
Looking back down the narrows, Arkansas Cave top center.
Ropes to assist in the otherwise mini Class 3 climb.
Ropes to assist in the otherwise mini Class 3 climb.
Looking back down from the top of the rope section. You can see the tunnel on the top right that you'll be going through.
Looking back down from the top of the rope section. You can see the tunnel on the top right that you'll be going through.
End of the tunnel, following a social trail.
End of the tunnel, following a social trail.
Approaching Indian Creek above the first major waterfall.
Approaching Indian Creek above the first major waterfall.
Image 48 from gallery
Finally. Eye of the Needle Falls! There was no water when I visited, but it was still absurdly spectacular.
Finally. Eye of the Needle Falls! There was no water when I visited, but it was still absurdly spectacular.
Image 50 from gallery
Image 51 from gallery
Image 52 from gallery
Image 53 from gallery
Head to the left and find a social trail that goes above Eye of the Needle Falls. The social trail leads to the top of the falls. This is a view point looking back down Indian Creek the way I came.
Head to the left and find a social trail that goes above Eye of the Needle Falls. The social trail leads to the top of the falls. This is a view point looking back down Indian Creek the way I came.
Continuing back down on the other side of Eye of the Needle Falls.
Continuing back down on the other side of Eye of the Needle Falls.
Eye of the Needle Falls from the top.
Eye of the Needle Falls from the top.
Top of Eye of the Needle Falls left, use trail to access this spot on the right.
Top of Eye of the Needle Falls left, use trail to access this spot on the right.
Continuing up Indian Creek.
Continuing up Indian Creek.
Image 59 from gallery
Another couple of obstacles.
Another couple of obstacles.
Image 61 from gallery
My turn-around point was this prominent slimy slab of rock. The immense beauty of Indian Creek seemed to have mellowed out anyway.
My turn-around point was this prominent slimy slab of rock. The immense beauty of Indian Creek seemed to have mellowed out anyway.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!