Photo: Formattc · CC BY-SA 3.0Hemmed In Hollow Falls
Worth the drive
Is it plungeworthy?
A plunge on Hemmed-In-Hollow.
The details
- Type
- Plunge
- Watercourse
- Hemmed-In-Hollow
- Coordinates
- 36.07211, -93.30751
About Hemmed In Hollow Falls
Hemmed In Hollow Falls is a 209-foot plunge in Arkansas, on Hemmed-In-Hollow.
It's fullest after rain, and flow can drop off during dry spells — plan around recent weather.
Plungeworthy rates Hemmed In Hollow Falls 8/10 — worth the drive. The score weighs its scale, how confidently it's mapped, and its character.
What you'll find
Nearly 210 feet of free-fall off an overhanging bluff into a natural amphitheater walled on three sides by 200-foot cliffs — the tallest waterfall between the Rockies and the Appalachians. The water breaks apart near the base and lands in a shallow pool and boulder field.
It sits deep in Buffalo National River's designated wilderness, at the bottom of a steep hollow reached only on foot or by river. No development at the base — bluffs, talus, and the creek running down to the Buffalo.
It's strictly rain-fed. In summer and fall it frequently runs dry or thins to a ribbon; late winter and spring after rain is when the full column shows up.
Getting there
- Trailhead
- Compton Trailhead (steepest, most direct) or Centerpoint Trailhead via the Goat Trail
- Parking
- Gravel trailhead lots on AR-43 north of Ponca
- Road
- Paved AR-43
- Hike
- 5 mi round trip, 1,400 ft of climb (hard)
- Heads up
- From Compton it's 2.5 miles down — and 1,400 feet back up, a climb the NPS itself calls humbling. Centerpoint runs ~10.5 miles round trip. Floating the Buffalo flips the math: half a mile from a river camp, or ~3 miles from Kyle's Landing. Plan 4-6+ hours; this is one of the park's most frequent search-and-rescue sites.
When to go
Check recent rainfall before committing — a dry falls after that climb is the most common trip report there is.
March through May is the window: frequent rain, and cool enough for the haul out. Fall and winter storms light it up too.
Compton gets heavy weekend use in season; the river route and Centerpoint see far less.
Rules & fees
- Fee / pass
- None — Buffalo National River is fee-free
- Dogs
- Not allowed — BUFF bans pets on all trails except a short list that doesn't include these routes
- Hours
- No gates; accessible year-round
- Camping
- Backcountry and gravel-bar camping along the river, no fee or permit
- Warnings
- One of Buffalo National River's most frequent search-and-rescue locations. The climb out is the real hazard — budget daylight and water for it.
Researched from NPS — Hike to Hemmed-in-Hollow · Wikipedia — Hemmed-In-Hollow Falls · NPS — Buffalo National River pet policy · NPS — Buffalo National River fees. Conditions change — verify before you drive. Been to Hemmed In Hollow Falls recently? Post a conditions report below.
Where it is
Before you go
The pin marks the feature, not a trailhead or a legal route in. Some sit on private land or need a real hike, and conditions change with season and rain. Check local access, don't trespass, and never enter water — hot or cold — where it isn't safe.
Common questions
How tall is Hemmed In Hollow Falls?
Hemmed In Hollow Falls drops about 209 feet, in Arkansas.
Where is Hemmed In Hollow Falls?
Hemmed In Hollow Falls is a waterfall in Arkansas, at 36.07211, -93.30751.
Is Hemmed In Hollow Falls worth visiting?
Worth the drive — Plungeworthy rates it 8/10.
Gear for the trip
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