Thunder Canyon Falls via Cecil Cove Loop

Buffalo National River, AR Boston Mountains + Ozark Mountains

Trip stats

Distance
6.8 mi
Net Gain
700 ft
Time
3-5 hrs
YDS Rating
Class 1
Route
Loop

Ratings out of 10

Effort
1.9/10
Personality
4/10
Beauty
6/10
Solitude
4.1/10
What do these mean? →

Route map + Trailhead

Trailhead Coordinates

36.083598, -93.233490

The directions link below drops a pin on the trailhead coordinates and lets Google Maps pick the route. If the drive has rough roads or access issues that GPS nav might get wrong, I cover that in my trip report.

Get directions (opens Google Maps in a new tab)

Trip report

Aug 8, 2016 — The first half (northern half) of the Cecil Cove Loop was really pretty as it crossed Cecil Creek multiple times and included a detour to the ridiculously cool Thunder Canyon Falls. The social trail leading to the falls isn't obvious to locate at first, but is easy to follow once on it. After Thunder Canyon Falls, the trail continues along Cecil Creek, passing historic rock wall ruins and the Jones Cemetery before becoming somewhat uneventful for the rest of the way. The trail ends back on Old Compton-Erbie Road, which I followed east back to the trailhead. Expect a million spider webs in summer.

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Photos

30 photos

  1. Starting on the Cecil Cove Trail.
  3. Pretty cascade along the Cecil Cove Trail.
  4. The Cecil Cove Trail parallels Cecil Creek, crossing it occasionally.
  6. A crossing of Cecil Creek.
  8. Starting up Thunder Canyon.
  10. Beautiful water-carved crack.
  11. The trail stays out of the watercourse.
  12. Looking back at the pretty water-carved sandstone section.
  13. Approaching Thunder Canyon Falls.
  14. Thunder Canyon Falls.
  16. Looking back into Thunder Canyon.
  17. Thunder Canyon Falls.
  19. I took too many photos of Thunder Canyon Falls. It was so pretty.
  20. Back on the Cecil Cove Trail, headed northwest.
  21. Cecil Creek.
  22. Some old stone wall ruins along the way.
  23. Eventually the Cecil Cove Trail leaves Cecil Creek, working west up a hill.
  24. The trail is less well-maintained, and I got a bunch of ticks and countless spiderweb hassles.
  25. Historic Jones Cemetery.
  26. Overflowing creek crossing.
  27. Not much of note on the southern half of the loop, just lots of forest.
  28. A short view along the southern half of the Cecil Cove Loop.
  30. I followed the Old Compton-Erbie Road back to the trailhead.

Photo 1 of 1

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Hire or refer me as a web developer, or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so it's funded by yours truly. It also takes a ton of work to edit photos and write these reports. I really appreciate it!

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