Arkansas Outside

Hiking Lost Valley and Balanced Rock
2026-04-29 08:00 - 18:00 (America/Chicago) | Lost Valley, Lost Valley Road, Kingston, 72742, United States
Distance

4 miles

Elevation Difference

700 feet including both destinations. The ascent is primarily ascending to the cave entrance in Lost Valley, and the last 100 yards at Balanced Rock.

Rating

Mostly easy. Intermediate for cave exploration at Lost Valley, which is optional.

Features

Creekside hike in both places. Waterfall at large bluff shelter in Lost Valley. Steps uphill leading to Eden Cave with 100 foot crawl to view 30 foot waterfall inside the cave. Second portion of hike a few miles away at Leatherwood Creek (tributary to Buffalo River at Ponca Low Water Bridge). One shallow water crossing, often able to “rock hop.” Then 200 foot ascent to unique rock at top of a waterfall. Both hikes are “out-and-back.” If at any point, return to vehicle is desired, that is perfectly acceptable.

Leader(s)

Eric Fraser

Carpooling?

Yes, depending on number of participants.

Starting location of outing

Leave Morgan McDonald’s at 8 AM. Suggest arrival 20 minutes earlier.

Driving distance to starting location

140 miles to either trailhead. Only 2 miles between the two trailheads. Expect to be gone about 10 hours.

What to bring

Sturdy trail shoes or boots, water, lunch and trail snacks. (It is possible that a lunch venue is open in Ponca, but Jasper is the closest I am sure food is available, and is 15 mountain miles, or 25 minutes away.) Wear clothing appropriate for the weather, and bring a headlamp if you’d like to explore Eden Cave.

Toilets on site?

Restrooms are available at both trailheads.
