Richland, Twin, and Hamilton Falls in Ozark National Forest, AR

Hike Richland, Twin, and Hamilton Falls Ozark National Forest, AR

Class 2 6.2 miles 700 gain 3-5 hrs Out + Back Aug 7, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Richland, Twin, and Hamilton Falls GPX Track

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This hike through the Richland Creek Wilderness visits three beautiful waterfalls. Starting from the Richland Creek Campground, I located the trail, which crosses over Falling Water Creek before following Richland Creek to the confluence with Long Devils Fork. Along the way, there are a bunch of beautiful water-carved slickrock chutes and formations in the creekbed, and a catwalk made of natural sandstone. From the confluence, I first headed south to Richland Falls, which required a narrow trail walk on the edge of the creekbank.

The skies were getting darker as I got back to the confluence of Richland Creek and Long Devils Fork, but I headed north into the dry creek up to Twin Falls. This required some boulder-hopping since I stuck to the watercourse, but there's a social trail on the side to make things easier. I'm regularly impressed by the waterfalls of the southeast, but Twin Falls is really high up there. Water was flowing out of Long Devils Fork to the west, as well as Big Devils Fork to the north, forming a really pleasant grotto with two waterfalls. I continued up Big Devils Fork using a social trail on the right side of the rightmost waterfall and boulder-hopped up the creek to Hamilton Falls. This waterfall feels more remote and cozy back here, despite its relatively small size. The colors of the water was a really deep green and blue. The rain came and my camera broke on the way back, but I wasn't too upset. I really enjoyed the hike.

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Starting down to Richland Creek.
Starting down to Richland Creek.
Along Richland Creek.
Along Richland Creek.
The trail leads along Richland Creek.
The trail leads along Richland Creek.
Southern charm.
Southern charm.
Continuing west along Richland Creek.
Continuing west along Richland Creek.
Image 5 from gallery
Narrow trail along the cliff bluffs.
Narrow trail along the cliff bluffs.
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Image 8 from gallery
Pretty slickrock within the creekbed of Richland Creek.
Pretty slickrock within the creekbed of Richland Creek.
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A catwalk ledge of sandstone along Richland Creek.
A catwalk ledge of sandstone along Richland Creek.
Cool sandstone formations.
Cool sandstone formations.
Image 13 from gallery
After the confluence with Long Devils Fork, I went south to Richland Falls. The trail is narrow and actually a bit exposed.
After the confluence with Long Devils Fork, I went south to Richland Falls. The trail is narrow and actually a bit exposed.
Approaching Richland Falls.
Approaching Richland Falls.
Richland Falls.
Richland Falls.
Richland Falls.
Richland Falls.
Back at the confluence, a view of Richland Creek at the mouth of Long Devils Fork.
Back at the confluence, a view of Richland Creek at the mouth of Long Devils Fork.
A workaround to avoid crossing Richland Creek, using another catwalk. Long Devils Fork mouth visible ahead. It later poured on me, so getting wet via simply crossing the creek was no longer an issue later.
A workaround to avoid crossing Richland Creek, using another catwalk. Long Devils Fork mouth visible ahead. It later poured on me, so getting wet via simply crossing the creek was no longer an issue later.
Heading up Long Devils Fork.
Heading up Long Devils Fork.
Image 21 from gallery
A social trail on the side of Long Devils Fork to avoid much of the boulder-hopping.
A social trail on the side of Long Devils Fork to avoid much of the boulder-hopping.
Approaching Twin Falls.
Approaching Twin Falls.
Twin Falls.
Twin Falls.
Another shot of Twin Falls, the route to get up above the right waterfall to get up to Hamilton Falls is out of frame on the right.
Another shot of Twin Falls, the route to get up above the right waterfall to get up to Hamilton Falls is out of frame on the right.
Within Big Devils Fork, above Twin Falls. Heading up to Hamilton Falls.
Within Big Devils Fork, above Twin Falls. Heading up to Hamilton Falls.
Image 27 from gallery
Approaching Hamilton Falls.
Approaching Hamilton Falls.
Image 29 from gallery
Hamilton Falls.
Hamilton Falls.
I loved this cozy waterfall. From here, I returned the way I came.
I loved this cozy waterfall. From here, I returned the way I came.

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!