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Lost Valley Trail

Ozark-St. Francis National Forest, Arkansas · 4 min read

Distance
2 mi
Elevation Gain
400 ft
Difficulty
easy
Route Type
Out-And-Back
Best Season
March through November
Dog Friendly
Yes
Difficulty Score
1 / 10
Trailhead Amenities
Restroom
Vault Toilet
Parking
Free
Cell Service
No Signal
Water
Nearby
Camping
None
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Conditions, regulations, and fees change frequently. Verify with the local ranger district before your trip. Full disclaimer

At a Glance

  • Cob Cave: a large sandstone alcove with visible cave entrance
  • Natural bridge visible from the trail
  • Clark Creek Falls at the trail's end
  • Excellent spring wildflowers in the Boxley Valley area
  • Short, accessible route to multiple geological features

Overview

Lost Valley is one of the most geologically rich short hikes in the Arkansas Ozarks. The 2.0-mile out-and-back packs a natural bridge, a large sandstone alcove (Cob Cave), and a waterfall into a short canyon walk that is accessible to most hikers while delivering the kind of geological variety that usually requires much longer routes.

The trail is technically within the Buffalo National River, managed by the National Park Service, but it sits at the boundary of the Ozark-St. Francis National Forest and is a natural companion to hikes in the adjacent national forest lands. The Boxley Valley is the cultural and ecological heart of the upper Buffalo River country, and Lost Valley represents some of the most concentrated canyon scenery in the region.

The cave alcove at Cob Cave is large enough to shelter under and explore safely. Clark Creek Falls at the trail's end drops into a pool below the canyon terminus. In spring, the creek corridor is lined with wildflowers and the flowing falls are at their most impressive. The reintroduced elk herd that inhabits the Boxley Valley is sometimes visible from the trailhead or the lower valley section.

The Route

Miles 0 to 0.5: Canyon entry. The trail departs the trailhead and enters the narrow Lost Valley canyon almost immediately. Clark Creek flows on the right. The sandstone bluffs close in as the canyon narrows. Spring wildflowers line the trail from late March through April.

Miles 0.5 to 1.0: Natural bridge and Cob Cave. The trail passes the natural bridge viewpoint at approximately 0.6 miles. The arch is visible as a notch in the cliff face. At mile 0.8, the trail reaches Cob Cave, a large alcove where the sandstone cliff overhangs a sheltered floor. The cave is safely walkable and dry in normal conditions. The feeling inside is cool and sheltered even in summer.

Mile 1.0: Clark Creek Falls. The trail ends at Clark Creek Falls, a cascade dropping into a pool at the canyon head. In spring, the falls are high-volume and dramatic. In summer, they are reduced to a more modest flow but still photogenic. The pool below is a popular photography subject.

Return: Retrace the route to the trailhead.

When to Visit

Spring (late March through May): The premier season. Wildflowers in the canyon, high water at Clark Creek Falls, and elk visible in the Boxley Valley create an exceptional combination.

Fall (October through November): Good foliage in the hardwood canyon sections. Elk are in rut in September through October and are most active and visible in the valley meadows.

Summer (June through August): The shaded canyon is cool even in summer heat. The falls are lower but the cave and canyon are accessible year-round.

Winter: The canyon can be icy in cold conditions. The falls may freeze partially. Check road conditions on AR-43 before winter visits.

What to Bring

Many hikers on this route carry:

  • Water for the walk (individual needs vary; short trail)
  • Camera (the cave, natural bridge, and falls are excellent photography subjects)
  • Headlamp or flashlight for exploring Cob Cave interior
  • Wildflower field guide for spring visits
  • Binoculars for elk viewing from the trailhead area

Practical Details

Vault toilet at the trailhead. No fee as of 2026. The parking area is managed by the National Park Service; NPS regulations apply on the trail itself.

The trail is well-signed throughout. No navigation challenges on this short route.

Elk are present in the Boxley Valley. They are large animals (bulls exceed 700 pounds) and can be unpredictable during rut in fall. Observe from a safe distance and do not approach. Follow NPS wildlife guidelines.

Cell service is absent in this canyon. Download maps before departure.

Getting There

From Jasper, AR, take AR-7 south to AR-43, then north on AR-43 into the Boxley Valley. The Lost Valley trailhead is on the left (west) side of AR-43 approximately 7 miles north of the Hwy 7/43 junction. The drive from Jasper takes approximately 25 minutes.

From Harrison, take US-65 south to AR-74 west to AR-43 south into Boxley Valley. The drive from Harrison takes approximately 40 minutes.

For general Ozark NF information and adjacent trails, contact the Buffalo Ranger District at fs.usda.gov/osfnf. For Lost Valley specifically, the Buffalo National River (NPS) website has current conditions.

Trailhead Parking

Lost Valley Trailhead in the Buffalo National River area near Boxley Valley; managed cooperatively between NPS and USFS; no fee as of 2026. Designated parking area.

← Back to Ozark-St. Francis National Forest

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lost Valley in the Ozark National Forest or the Buffalo National River?
The Lost Valley Trail is in the Buffalo National River, managed by the National Park Service, but is adjacent to the Ozark National Forest and is commonly associated with the broader Ozark NF recreation zone. The Boxley Valley area straddles both land management units.
What is Cob Cave?
Cob Cave is a large sandstone alcove (a dry cave formed by roof rock overhang rather than underground water) that can be entered safely. The cave is large enough to shelter dozens of people and has been used as shelter for centuries. Native American presence is documented in this cave system.
Is the natural bridge visible from the trail?
Yes. A natural sandstone arch is visible from the trail at a specific viewpoint. The arch formed by differential erosion of the sandstone cliff face.
What wildflowers are in the Boxley Valley area?
The Boxley Valley and Lost Valley area is one of the premier spring wildflower sites in Arkansas. Bloodroot, trillium, wild ginger, hepatica, and Dutchman's breeches bloom along the creek corridor from late March through April. Elk (reintroduced to this area) are sometimes visible in the valley.
Are there elk in this area?
Yes. Elk were reintroduced to the Boxley Valley area of the Buffalo National River in the 1980s and the herd has established successfully. Elk are commonly seen in the valley meadows, particularly at dawn and dusk. They are large animals; maintain appropriate distance and do not approach them.