Hobo Falls via Ozark Highland Trail

Fort Douglas, AR - 3.6 Miles - Moderate Out & Back


Our first visit to Hobo Falls will forever be a special memory. This is the perfect opportunity to tell the brief version of how hiking became our favorite past time. 

Thomas and I took our official honeymoon, a month after our wedding, in November of 2021. We road tripped from our home in the Arkansas River Valley to the Grand Canyon. 

Cedar Creek

We spent two days in Grand Canyon National Park strolling around the South Rim Trail, visiting the popular lookouts via shuttle, and finally taking Desert View Drive on our way out. Occasionally, we would walk by a trailhead and observe dedicated hikers making their descent into the canyon. We both started to entertain the idea of returning to the park in the future and making our own trip into the Grand Canyon.

We had budgeted for our trip well and ended up with some cash left over, which was quickly spent at the REI store in Colorado Springs, CO. You might be wondering how we ended up in Colorado, but I'll save that for another post. We came home with amazing memories, day hiking backpacks and our first pair of hiking boots.

Shortly after we returned to Arkansas, I discovered AllTrails and picked Hobo Falls to be our very first hike. The majority of this hike follows a small portion of the Ozark Highland Trail (OHT). At the time, I knew very little about this trail system. 

After dropping into the valley, the trail will lead you to Cedar Creek. Upstream from the crossing, is a beautiful swimming hole. Beyond the crossing, you will leave the OHT and follow a small blaze along a creek bed. This short blaze will lead you to Hobo Falls East and Hobo Falls West. 

Hobo Falls West

Hobo Falls East

The trickle of water that flowed from Hobo Falls was all that it took to hook my interest in chasing waterfalls. This is one place that I would love to return to after a good rainfall. I love to see how much an area changes between dry and wet seasons.

This short, sweet hike was the perfect opportunity to get our feet wet and dive into a lifetime of adventure.

Name: Hobo Falls

Navigation: AllTrails App

Difficulty: Moderate

Elevation Gain: 623 Feet

Distance: 3.6 Miles

Disclaimer: In the event that you choose to pursue any adventure described on this website, please proceed with extreme caution. All opinions are subjective and will vary from person to person based upon experience and skill. Additional research should be completed before attempting any of the hikes portrayed in this blog.